Colorado State University Athletics
Football Preview ? Air Force
10/13/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Radio Crew
Veteran sportscaster Rich Bircumshaw calls the play-by-play for the second year in a row and is in his fifth year on the Colorado State Sports Network. Former Rams? all-star defensive back Erik Olson is the analyst, Brian Roth provides sideline reports and Kevin McGlue is the producer.. Bircumshaw has more than two decades of sports broadcasting experience. Olson was a four-year letterwinner for the Rams and played in the NFL for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Roth is a veteran announcer who does the play-by-play for Colorado State?s nationally prominent women?s basketball teams. Randy Bernard is the studio producer. Roth and McGlue host a weekday sports talk show on KIIX Radio, 1410 The Zone in Fort Collins. Radio network broadcasts are produced by Nelligan Sports Marketing.
Series Update
The two in-state rivals meet for the 40th time Thursday night in Fort Collins. AFA leads the series, 23-17-1, but Colorado State has won 8 of the past 11 meetings.
Last In Fort Collins
Colorado State and AFA last met in Fort Collins in 2001. WR Pete Rebstock set up a pair of 2nd-half touchdowns via returns as the Rams won 28-21.
Injury Report
H-Back Joel Dreessen (lower abdominal strain); RB Uldis Jaunarajs (hamstring); TE Clint Oldenburg (lower abdominal strain); LB Eric Pauly (knee); RB Rahsaan Sanders (hip pointer); DE Andre Sommersell (ankle sprain).
Last Year
Colorado State?s defense allowed 250 total yards and shutout Air Force in the 2nd half en route to a 31-12 win over Air Force at Falcon Stadium. DB Benny Mastropaolo had 14 tackles, LB Eric Pauly had 13, and 1st-time starter CB Ben Stratton had 11. K Jeff Babcock picked up a fumble to start the 2nd half and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown to give the Rams a 28-12 lead. QB Bradlee Van Pelt threw for 142 yards and ran for 39 more in the victory.
2003 Hall of Fame Banquet
Five former student-athletes who made their mark at Colorado State comprise the 2003 Colorado State University Hall of Fame. They will be introduced during pregame ceremonies Thursday, then honored at the school?s annual Former Athletes Assn. Banquet Friday night. Softball pitcher Nikki Johnson, football all-star Dr. Greg Primus, four-sport letterwinner Jim Ranson, and basketball player Rich Strong comprise the 2003 class, along with Hall of Honor Award winner Doug Max. The banquet begins with a social hour at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. For banquet reservation information, call 970-491-5067. Tickets are $40 and must be purchased in advance.
2nd In A Row
Colorado State makes its 2nd of 2 consecutive appearances on ESPN2 on Thursday night this week against Air Force. Thursday?s game is the 11th time since 1999 that the Rams will have appeared on a Thursday night telecast, and 12th since 1993. Colorado State has a 7-5 record in those 12 games: 5-1 at home, 2-4 on the road. Colorado State has won 2 Thursday night road games in a row: 58-13 last week at BYU, and 31-12 at Air Force last season.
Rams 6-0 At Home On Thursday Night
Thursday night?s game is the 7th time since 1999 that the Rams will have played on national television at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium. The Rams have a perfect 6-0 record in home Thursday night games (see list, next page).
Crowd Count
Colorado State enjoyed its 2nd overflow crowd in 4 home dates in 2003 when 32,620 (the 10th largest crowd in school history) witnessed the Rams? 34-10 homecoming game win over Fresno State. Colorado State has drawn 121,958 fans (30,674 average), 102 percent of Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium?s 30,000-seat capacity. The Rams? 102-percent capacity figure is the 13th best nationally.
Season Records
Under Sonny Lubick, Colorado State?s record in October is 35-11 (76.1 percent), and 22-5 (81.4 percent) in November. Combined in those 2 months, the Rams are 57-16 (78.1 percent) since 1993.
Rams Trying To Become One Of 11 Nationally
Since 1997, Colorado State?s football team has won 59. With the Rams? next victory, Colorado State will become one of only 11 teams nationally to win 60 games since 1997, and the only Mountain West Conference member to do so. The list is shown at right.
Sack Pack
Colorado State enters this week?s game with 18 quarterback sacks, matching last season?s total, 18.
Conference Record
Colorado State has a cumulative 59-19 conference record during Sonny Lubick?s 11 seasons, a 75.6 winning percentage.
Road Win Streak
Colorado State is 41-19 (68 percent) in road games overall under Sonny Lubick, including a 2-0 record in 2003. Colorado State?s win at BYU last week as the Rams 5th in a row on the road dating back to 2002 (wins at Utah, Air Force and San Diego State) including 2 wins in 2003 (wins at California, BYU).
Starting Record
QB Bradlee Van Pelt has an 20-10 record as the team?s starting quarterback since taking over in the fourth game of the 2001 season. The last time that the Rams had a two-year starter returning at quarterback was 1997, when Moses Moreno led Colorado State to an 11-2 record - the only 11-win season in school history - a league title and a win over Missouri in the Holiday Bowl.
Starters, Part II
Van Pelt is the fourth quarterback to start at least two seasons or more in coach Sonny Lubick?s 11 seasons at the helm. The previous three had a combined 31-6 record, 3 conference titles and 3 bowl games, including:
Year Quarterback Rec. Finish Bowl
2003 Bradlee Van Pelt 4-3 -- --
2000 Matt Newton 10-2 1st Liberty
1997 Moses Moreno 11-2 1st Holiday
1994 Anthoney Hill 10-2 1st Holiday
18 Start 7
Eighteen players on Colorado State?s roster - including kicking specialists - have started all 7 games to date.
Long Distance, Part II
Through 7 games, the Rams have depended on big offensive plays, including:
Receiving Streaks
H-Back Joel Dreessen has the team?s longest active streak with at least one reception - 28 games in a row - dating back to the 2001 season. WR Chris Pittman has caught at least one pass in 21 consecutive games.
Kicked Off
K Kevin Mark, a redshirt sophomore, has kicked off 43 times, and 23 have been downed for touchbacks. The opponents? average starting field position following a Mark kickoff is the 23-yard-line.
Career Night For Hill
WR Eric Hill had the finest night of his 4-year career in the Rams? win at BYU. He caught a career-most 3 passes for a career-best 97 yards and the 1st 2 touchdowns of his collegiate career. He narrowly missed a 3rd touchdown when he was knocked out of bounds inside BYU?s 5-yard-line.
Defense Scores
Colorado State?s defense had not scored a touchdown since the Rams? previous trip to Provo in 2001 to play BYU. DE Patrick Goodpaster broke that streak by picking up a fumble caused by CB Dexter Wynn?s quarterback sack, and racing 16 yards for a score.
Turned Over Points
Colorado State scored its 1st points of 2003 following a forced opponent turnover in the win over BYU. Two of the 4 turnovers generated by the Rams resulted in touchdowns, including DE Patrick Goodpaster?s 16-yard fumble return for a score.
Houston Scoring
RB Marcus Houston has scored 6 touchdowns - 5 rushing - in the past 2 games. Houston had the 1st 3-touchdown game of his collegiate career in Colorado State?s win over Fresno State when he ran for a pair of scores and became the first Rams? runningback to catch a scoring pass. A week later he matched his scoring total by rushing for 3 scores. On the season he has 7 rushing touchdowns, 8 overall.
No Answers
Colorado State has won 2 games in a row thanks to a flurry of scoring. The Rams scored 27 unanswered points in a 34-10 win over Fresno State, and a week later, put together a streak of 31 consecutive points during a 58-13 win over BYU.
Wood Filler
More of Colorado State?s defensive leadership role has fallen on the shoulders of LB Drew Wood in the absence of all-star performer LB Eric Pauly. Wood, a 3-year starter in the middle, has made 14 tackles (7 in each game) in wins over Fresno State and BYU.
Road Kicker
K Jeff Babcock has converted 7-of-10 field goals in 2003, but is a perfect 4-of-4 on the road including a 38-yarder at BYU. In his career, Babcock has made 31-of-42 field goals including 17-of-20 (85 percent) on the road, 13-17 (76 percent) at home, 1-5 (20 percent) at neutral sites.
Van Pelt Could Be First Ever
QB Bradlee Van Pelt begins play this week with 5,042 career passing yards, the 7th player in school history to pass for more than 5,000 yards. He also has gained 1,746 yards rushing. He is 254 rushing yards shy (50.8 per game, 5 remaining games) from becoming the 1st player in school history to pass for more than 5,000 yards and rush for more than 2,000 yards.
Rams 25-6 Under 300, 4 Times in 2003
For the 4th time in 7 games in 2003, Colorado State held an opposing offense to fewer than 300 total yards in the Rams? 58-13 win at BYU. The Cougars netted 269 yards. Colorado State is 25-6 under Sonny Lubick when holding a team below 300 total yards. (see list at right).
Open Date Coming
Colorado State has an open date following this week?s game with Air Force. The Rams return to action Nov. 1 at Wyoming. Colorado State has an 8-3 record the game preceding an open date. The Rams have a 9-2 record the game following an open date.
Wynn-Fall Profits
CB Dexter Wynn has earned the reputation as one of the nation?s finest return specialists. A 2-time all-conference performer, Wynn?s presence has been instrumental in the Rams? current 2-game win streak. He has gained 265 total yards on 14 returns, averaging 18.9 yards per time he touches the ball. The breakdown includes:
Game Kick Return Punt Return Total
Fresno State 2-56 4-64 6-120
BYU 2-48 6-97 8-145
QB Bradlee Van Pelt
WR Chris Pittman
WR David Anderson
DB Dexter Wynn
Late-Game Success
Colorado State has a 75-4 record (95%) under Sonny Lubick when the Rams lead after three periods. The only four losses include:
300-Yard Season Performances
Quarterback Year 300-Games
Terry Nugent 1983 6
Scooter Molander 1987 5
Steve Fairchild 1980 4
Kelly Stouffer 1984 4
Bradlee Van Pelt 2003 3
300-Yard Career Games
Quarterback Years 300-Games
Terry Nugent 1980-83 8
Scooter Molander 1987-88 7
Kelly Stouffer 1984-86 6
Moses Moreno 1994-97 4
Steve Fairchild 1978, ?80 4
Bradlee Van Pelt 2001-03 3
Matt Newton 1998-2000 3
100-Yard Receiving Games
Receiver Year 100-Games
Greg Primus 1992 5
Geoff Turner 1996 5
Willie Miller 1974 5
Willie Miller 1973 4
Tony Goolsby 1980 4
Pete Rebstock 2000 4
Greg Primus 1991 4
Jeff Champine 1982 4
Eric Olsen 1994 4
David Anderson 2003 3
Chris Pittman 2003 3
QB 100-Yard Rushing Games
The 100-yard rushing games by Rams? quarterbacks since 1950 include:
Quarterback, Game Year No.-Yds-TD
Bradlee Van Pelt vs. Fresno St. 2003 13-154-0
Bradlee Van Pelt at Nevada 2002 13-128-1
Bradlee Van Pelt at Fresno St. 2002 9-125-1
Bradlee Van Pelt, New Mexico 2002 11-106-1
Bradlee Van Pelt at BYU 2001 21-174-2
Bradlee Van Pelt vs. Fresno St. 2001 14-141-1
Mike Gimenez at New Mexico 1989 10-102-0
Keith Lee vs. UTEP 1978 19-122-1
Rushing Defense
Colorado State has allowed 50 individual 100-yard rushing performances since 1993. The Rams are 29-18 in games where an opponent rusher has gained 100 or more yards. 55-22 when an opponent does not feature a 100-yard rusher.
Rams? Passing Fancy
The Rams are 7-14 in games where the team has attempted 35 or more passes and 79-26 games when attempting less than 35 passes since 1993.
Quarterback Season Rushing
The list of the top rushing quarterbacks since 1950 includes:
Quarterback, Year Yds.
1. Bradlee Van Pelt, 2002 819
2. Bradlee Van Pelt, 2001 546
3. Anthoney Hill, 1993 433
4. Keith Lee, 1978 392
5. Bradlee Van Pelt, 2003 381
6. Pat Juliana, 1972 339
Babcock Punting Debut
Jeff Babcock has punted 23 times in 2003, averaging 43.1 yards per punt including a career-best 67-yarder against Weber State. The capsule of 1st-year punters during Coach Sonny Lubick?s tenure include:
Year Punter No. Yds. Avg.
1999 Deone Horinek 52 2331 44.8
2003 Jeff Babcock 31 1297 41.8
1998 Preston Loos 52 2100 40.4
1993 Mike McGee 63 2495 39.6
2000 Joey Huber 52 2035 39.1
1994 Matt McDougal 54 2108 39.0
Century Rushers
Colorado State has had 74 100-yard rushing performances in games during Sonny Lubick?s 10 seasons including seven in 2002. The Rams are 52-11 in games where a back has gained 100 or more yards, and 33-28 in games where the team has not had a back gain more than 100 yards.
Year Total Record
2003 2 1-1
2002 12 7-4
2001 6 2-2
2000 5 3-1
1999 6 6-0
1998 5 4-0
1997 10 8-1
1996 13 8-1
1995 8 6-1
1994 4 4-0
1993 3 3-0
Totals 74 52-11
At Home
The Rams are 40-15 at home during Sonny Lubick?s tenure, including:
Year Rec. Loss(es)
2003 2-2 Miami (Ohio); Utah
2002 4-1 UNLV
2001 3-2 San Diego St.; Fresno State
2000 5-0 --
1999 4-1 San Diego State
1998 3-1 Wyoming
1997 4-1 Air Force
1996 4-2 Colorado; Wyoming
1995 3-2 BYU; New Mexico
1994 5-1 Utah
1993 3-2 Oregon; BYU
Total 40-15
On The Road
Year Rec. Road Loss(es)
2003 2-0 --
2002 5-2 UCLA; Fresno State
2001 3-2 Louisville; BYU
2000 3-2 Arizona State; Air Force
1999 3-2 BYU; Fresno State
1998 5-2 Air Force; Rice
1997 5-1 Colorado
1996 3-3 Oregon; Nebraska; Tulsa
1995 5-1 Colorado
1994 5-0 --
1993 2-4 Nebraska; Kansas; San Diego St.; Utah
Totals 41-19
Neutral Sites
Year Rec. Neutral Site Loss(es)
2003 0-1 Colorado (Denver)
2002 1-1 TCU (Liberty Bowl)
2001 1-1 Colorado (Denver)
2000 2-0 --
1999 1-1 So. Mississippi (Liberty Bowl)
1998 0-1 Colorado (Denver)
1997 2-0 --
1995 0-1 Kansas State (Holiday Bowl)
1994 0-1 Michigan (Holiday Bowl)
Totals 7-7
Before Open Dates
Year Opponent Result
2002 Louisville W 36-33
2002 Air Force W 31-12
2001 Nevada W 35-18
1999 at BYU L 13-34
1999 at New Mexico W 36-22
1997 Air Force L 0-24
1997 Fresno State W 41-3
1995 at Air Force W 27-20
1995 Hawaii W 22-0
1994 Utah L 31-45
1993 New Mexico W 21-20
Following Open Dates
Year Opponent Result
2002 at Nevada W 32-28
2002 at San Diego State W 49-21
2001 San Diego State L 7-14
1999 New Mexico State W 46-7
1999 Air Force W 41-21
1997 Hawaii W 63-0
1997 at San Diego State W 38-17
1995 BYU L 18-21
1995 at San Diego State W 24-13
1994 Wyoming W 35-24
1993 at Utah W 52-0
2003 Depth Chart
OFFENSE
October 13, 2003
Quarterback
11 Bradlee Van Pelt; 6-2, 225, Sr.-2VL, Santa Barbara, CA/Michigan State
8 Justin Holland; 6-3, 192, So.-1VL, Lakewood, CO/Bear Creek
Runningback
20 Marcus Houston; 6-3, 207, Jr.-TR, Denver, CO/Thomas Jefferson
18 Jimmy Green; 5-11, 211, Jr.-JC, San Diego, CA/Mesa JC
3 Rahsaan Sanders; 6-0, 217, Sr.-3VL, San Diego, CA/Horizon
SE
4 David Anderson; 5-10, 187, So.-1VL, WestLake Village, CA/Thousand Oaks
7 Eric Hill; 6-1, 194, Sr.-3VL, Denver, CO/Montbello
FL
6 Chris Pittman; 6-0, 192, Sr.-2VL, Chula Vista, CA/Castle Park
83 Russell Sprague; 6-4, 210, Sr.-3VL, Holyoke, Colo./Holyoke
85 Dustin Osborne; 6-0, 184, Fr.-RS, La Junta, CO/La Junta
H-Back (H)
88 Brandon Alconcel; 6-3, 245, So.-1VL, Laguna Hills, CA/Aliso Niguel
92 Matt Bartz; 6-3, 244, So.-1VL, Concordia, KS/Concordia
Tight End (Y)
92 Matt Bartz; 6-3, 244, So.-1VL, Concordia, KS/Concordia
89 James Sondrup; 6-6, 263, Sr.-2VL, Fort Collins, CO/Fort Collins
Weak Side Tackle
63 Mike Brisiel; 6-5, 282, So.-1VL, Fayetteville, AR/Fayetteville
75 Zeke Hacker; 6-5, 295, Sr.-1VL, Shawnee Mission, KS/Butler County CC
Weak Side Guard
77 Albert Bimper; 6-1, 290, So.-1VL, Arlington,TX/Bowie
75 Zeke Hacker; 6-5, 295, Sr.-1VL, Shawnee Mission, KS/Butler County CC
Center
70 Mark Dreyer; 6-4, 275, Sr.-2VL, Brighton, CO/Brighton
77 Albert Bimper; 6-1, 290, So.-1VL, Arlington, TX/Bowie
53 Jassem Redha; 6-3, 302, Fr.-RS, Chino, CA/Chino
Strong Side Guard
60 Jamie Amicarella; 6-5, 289, Sr.-1VL, Fort Collins, CO/Fort Collins
66 Josh Day; 6-4, 278, Fr.-RS, Aurora, CO/Overland
Strong Side Tackle
74 Erik Pears; 6-8, 307, Jr.-2VL, Denver, CO/Kennedy
68 Jonathan Moore; 6-4, 289, Fr.-RS, Houston, TX/Clear Brook
DEFENSE
Left End
99 Patrick Goodpaster; 6-3, 280, Jr.-2VL, Harbor City, CA/Narbonne
56 Micheal Leiter; 6-2, 225, Fr.-RS, Mission Viejo, CA/Santa Margarita
Nose Tackle
95 Bryan Save; 6-2, 271, Sr.-2VL, Santa Ana, CA/Valley
93 Chris Kiffin; 6-1, 281, Jr.-1VL, Tampa, FL/Sickles
Defensive Tackle
57 Lavell Mann; 6-1, 285, Sr.-1VL, Long Beach, CA/City College
91 Jonathan Simon; 6-6, 280, Jr.-SQ, Watauga, TX/Fossil Ridge
Right End
96 Andre Sommersell; 6-3, 235, Sr.-3VL, Fountain Valley, CA/Fountain Valley
86 Terrence Carter; 6-3, 239, So.-SQ, Topeka, KS/Topeka
98 Luke Adkins; 6-1, 234, Fr.-RS, Austin, TX/Lake Travis
Strong Side Linebacker
45 Jeff Flora; 6-2, 234, Sr.-2VL, Arvada, CO/Arvada West
2 Jahmal Hall; 6-0, 190, So.-SQ, Fort Worth, TX/Everman
Middle Linebacker
50 Drew Wood; 6-2, 235, Sr.-3VL, Buena Vista, CO/Buena Vista
45 Jeff Flora; 6-2, 234, Sr.-2VL, Arvada, CO/Arvada West
Weak Side Linebacker
52 Courtney Jones; 6-1, 221, So.-1VL, Arlington, TX/Bowie
24 Kane Smaller; 5-11, 238, Fr.-RS, Canon City, CO/Canon City
Right Cornerback
16 Ben Stratton; 6-2, 207, So.-1VL, Cheyenne, WY/East
1 Brandon Cathy; 5-10, 173, Fr.-RS, Liberty, MO/Liberty
Left Cornerback
5 Dexter Wynn; 5-10, 175, Sr.-3VL, Colorado Springs, CO/Rampart
15 Danny Foster; 5-10, 155, Fr.-RS, Corona, CA/Centennial
Strong Safety
20 Adam Hayward; 6-1, 220, So.-1VL, Westminister, CA/Marina
25 Benny Mastopaolo; 5-11, 190, Sr.-1VL, Fullerton, CA/Fullerton CC
Free Safety
25 Benny Mastopaolo; 5-11, 190, Sr.-1VL, Fullerton, CA/Fullerton CC
8 Lukas Davis; 6-1, 200, Fr.-RS, Aurora, CO/Eaglecrest
SPECIAL TEAMS
Punter
14 Jeff Babcock; 5-10, 185, Jr.-2VL, Tampa, FL/Jesuit
15 Jim Kaylor; 6-2, 215, Fr.-HS, Northglenn, CO/Northglenn
PK
14 Jeff Babcock; 5-10, 185, Jr.-2VL, Tampa, FL/Jesuit
13 Kevin Mark; 6-1, 171, So.-SQ, Coral Springs, FL/Douglass
Kickoff
13 Kevin Mark; 6-1, 171, So.-SQ, Coral Springs, FL/Douglass
14 Jeff Babcock; 5-10, 185, Jr.-2VL, Tampa, FL/Jesuit
Long Snapper
51 John Treacy; 5-9, 227, Jr.-SQ, Littleton, Co/Mullen
Holder
19 Joey Kearney; 6-1, 186, Fr.-RS, Highlands Ranch, CO/Highlands Ranch
4 David Anderson; 5-10, 187, Fr.-1VL, Westlake Village, CA/Thousand Oaks
Kickoff Returns
5 Dexter Wynn; 5-10, 175, Sr.-3VL, Colorado Springs, CO/Rampart
6 Chris Pittman; 6-0, 192, Sr.-2VL, Chula Vista, CA/Castle Park
4 David Anderson; 5-10, 187, So.-1VL, WestLake Village, CA/Thousand Oaks
Punt Returns
5 Dexter Wynn; 5-10, 175, Sr.-3VL, Colorado Springs, CO/Rampart
4 David Anderson; 5-10, 187, So.-1VL, WestLake Village, CA/Thousand Oaks
