BOISE, Idaho — Chris Petersen is getting used to the idea of running a defense-first program.

Good thing because that's precisely what Boise State has become. For this year, at least.

Even the Bronco Stadium music coordinator is on board. After yet another one of Boise State's seven sacks against Hawaii on Friday night, he cued Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust."

Nice work.

But it was no match for the performance the Broncos' defense put in during the 27-7 dismantling of defending WAC champions. Boise State dominated Hawaii's offense, registering 11 tackles for loss, seven sacks, six pass breakups, five interceptions and three forced fumbles.

Introducing the new Boise State — with 50 percent more defense and half the points.

This is Bronco football.

And it doesn't feel half bad.

Sure, it's a little different from the brand that's been practiced on the blue for the last decade, but there's nothing wrong with grinding out defensive-minded victories.

"At the end of the day, it's a win," freshman quarterback Kellen Moore said.

Which is more than fellow BCS-busting contender BYU can say this week. For Boise State, which must win all of its games to maintain its chance at a second Bowl Championship Series berth in three years, wins are all that matters.

Style points are for gymnasts, figure skaters and divers.

Plus, who's to say defense isn't stylish? Even an old offensive coordinator — one who has largely presided over the highest-scoring team since 2000 — can dig it.

"I'm very much used to it and I'm totally good with it. If we can hold everybody to seven points, I think it'd take a lot of stress off a lot of people," Petersen said, making no apologies for the program's new-found strength. "... We can't count on our defense to every week holding them to seven points."

Reminded that the Broncos have now held five of their six opponents to seven points or fewer this season, Petersen revised:

"Actually, maybe we can."

Boise State is allowing just 10.5 points per game, tied for third in the country pending this weekend's games.

The Broncos are doing it with a complete defensive effort. The defensive line, a collection of about eight players consistently rotating, harassed Hawaii quarterback Inoke Funaki relentlessly Friday. The unit, headlined by ends Mike T. Williams and Ryan Winterswyk and emerging star Billy Winn, forced the Warriors' quarterback into costly mistakes and unproductive scrambles.

Linebacker Kyle Gingg and stuffed Hawaii's running game and Derrell Acrey forced an interception by hitting Funaki as he threw.

And the secondary — the team's MVP through six games — grabbed Funaki's errant passes. Sophomore cornerback Brandyn Thompson picked off three passes. Safety George Iloka and corner Kyle Wilson each got one as Funaki tied a Hawaii record for most interceptions in a game.

"Their quarterback wasn't as good as Colt Brennan," safety Jeron Johnson said, illuminating one difference between Friday's game and last year's humbling 39-27 loss in Honolulu.

Then again, these Broncos might even humble "Mr. Brennan," as Funaki calls him.

They've done it to everyone — save Oregon's fifth-string quarterback who had a sterling fourth quarter — they've played so far.

After years of being known for their offensive fireworks and trick-play wizardry, these Broncos have found a different way to win.

Everyone would be well advised to follow Petersen's lead and get behind the defense, for its driving this BCS-busting bus.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.