Football Preview ? Brigham Young

Rams Update
Colorado State scored on 5 consecutive offensive possessions - including 4 touchdowns - to take control of the game and beat Fresno State, 34-10 last week at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium in Fort Collins. QB Bradlee Van Pelt had his finest rushing day of the year with 154 yards and added 197 passing yards and 2 touchdowns for 351 total yards in the game. He threw 6 passes each to WR David Anderson and WR Chris Pittman. Defensively, the Rams limited Fresno State to 337 yards and 1 touchdown, led by LB Courtney Jones? 9 tackles in his 1st career start replacing the injured Eric Pauly. CB Dexter Wynn had an interception and a sack, and gained 110 return yards to pace the Rams? special teams.

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. Bircumshaw, 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
BYU leads the series, 32-26-3 in 61 previous games. BYU has won 18 of 20 games played in Provo. The home team in the series has won the last 4 times the teams have played.

Last Win In Provo
Colorado State?s most recent win at LaVell Edwards came in 1994, 28-21, which catapulted the Rams into the national polls en route to a 10-2 finish, conference title, and berth against Michigan in the Holiday Bowl.

Injury Report
DE Luke Adkins (shoulder sprain; ankle sprain; concussion); TE Brandon Alconcel (right foot); H-Back Joel Dreessen (lower abdominal strain); TE Clint Oldenburg (lower abdominal strain); LB Eric Pauly (right knee); WR Chris Pittman (right ankle) RB Rahsaan Sanders (hip pointer).

Last Year
Colorado State amassed 493 total yards, including 164 rushing by RB Cecil Sapp and held BYU to 213 total yards in the game. Colorado State jumped to a 17-0 1st quarter lead and forced 4 turnovers and sacked BYU quarterbacks 4 times.

2003 Hall of Fame Banquet
Four former student-athletes who made their mark at Colorado State on the field and in the classroom comprise the 2003 Colorado State University Hall of Fame announced by Director of Athletics Mark Driscoll. 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, they will be honored during the Former Athletes Association Hall of Fame Dinner Friday night, Oct. 17 at the UPHI. The banquet begins with a social hour at 5 p.m., with the dinner at 6 p.m. For banquet reservation information, call 970-491-5067. Tickets are $40 and must be purchased in advance.

Back-To-Back
Colorado State makes its 1st of back-to-back appearances on ESPN2 on Thursday night this week at BYU. Colorado State has played on Thursday night 12 times during Sonny Lubick?s career as head coach of the Rams. Colorado State has a 7-5 record in those 12 games: 6-1 at home, 1-4 on the road. Colorado State?s lone win on a Thursday night on the road came a season ago at Air Force, 31-12.

Starting Record
QB Bradlee Van Pelt has an 19-10 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.

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 14th best nationally.

Season Records
Following last week?s win over Fresno State, Colorado State?s record in October is 34-11 (75.6 percent) under coach Sonny Lubick. The Rams are 22-5 (81.4 percent) in November. Combined in those 2 months, the Rams are 56-16 (77.8 percent) since 1993.

Long Time Road
Thursday night?s game at BYU marks the first road game for the Rams since a 23-21 win over PAC-10 member California in Berkeley on Sept. 6. Colorado State will play 4 of the team?s final 6 games away from Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium.

5th Time On Thursday
Colorado State and BYU meet for the 5th time in a row - and 3rd time in a row in Provo - in a Thursday night matchup. Results include:
Oct. 24, 2002: Colorado St. 37, BYU 10 (ESPN2); Fort Collins
Nov. 1, 2001: BYU 56, Colorado State 34 (ESPN); Provo
Nov. 2, 2000: Colorado St. 45, BYU 21 (ESPN); Fort Collins
Sept. 16, 1999: BYU 34, Colorado State 13 (ESPN); Provo

Sack Pack
Colorado State enters this week?s game with 16 quarterback sacks, 2 shy of matching last season?s total, 18.

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 3-3 -- --
2000 Matt Newton 10-2 1st Liberty
1997 Moses Moreno 11-2 1st Holiday
1994 Anthoney Hill 10-2 1st Holiday

Long Distance, Part II
Through 6 games, the Rams have depended on big offensive plays, including:

25 pass plays 20 yards or longer; 12 pass plays 30 yards or longer; 5 pass plays 40 yards or longer;

10 runs 20 yards or longer; 5 rushes 30 yards or longer (3 by Van Pelt).

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 20 consecutive games.

Kicked Off
K Kevin Mark, a redshirt sophomore, has kicked off 33 times, and 16 have been downed for touchbacks. The opponents? average starting field position following a Mark kickoff is the 24-yard-line.

Rams 24-6
Colorado State?s game with Utah marked the 3rd time in 2003 and 30th time in Sonny Lubick?s 11 seasons the Rams have held an opponent to fewer than 300 total yards. Colorado State is 24-6 when holding an opponent below 300 yards (see list at right).

QB Bradlee Van Pelt

In his 1st game against BYU, rushed 21 times for 174 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2001.

11 touchdown passes in 6 games, surpassing his total, 10, in 14 games in 2002;

Has thrown at least 1 touchdown pass in 5 of 6 games in 2003

Has a 19-10 record as the team?s starting quarterback since 2001;

6 times in his career and 4 times in 2003 has thrown 2 or more touchdowns in a game;

3 times in his career twice in 2003, Van Pelt has thrown 3 touchdowns in a game;

3 times in 2003 he has had more than 350 yards total offense, the 1st player in school history with that achievement;

Rushed for a season-most 154 yards vs. Fresno State;

6 times in his career (once in 2003) has gained 100 or more yards rushing;

He entered the Fresno State game with 176 rushing yards, and finished the contest with 154.

WR Chris Pittman

Has 106 career receptions and needs 5 more to tie for 10th all-time at Colorado State;

Pittman has recorded at least one reception in 20 consecutive games;

Is tied for 8th in career touchdown receptions with 10;

Has recorded 4 career 100-yard receiving games including 3 in 2003. His 3 100-yard games in 2003 is just 2 shy of the chool record, currently held by 3 players.

WR David Anderson

Has 3 100-yard receiving games in 2003, 2 shy of the school record, 5, currently held by 3 players;

In 2003 has caught 6 touchdown passes, tying for the 7th most in a season in school history.

Ranks among the national leaders in receiving yardage.

DB Dexter Wynn

Recorded his 4th career sack and 1st of the season in the Rams? win over Fresno State;

Gained 110 return yards against Fresno State: 4 punts for 64 yards (31-yard long), 2 kickoffs for 56 yards (32-yard long);

Wynn also had his first pass interception of the season in CSU?s 34-10 win over Fresno State.

First-Time Starters
RB Uldis Jaunarajs made his 1st career start vs. Fresno State and responded by gaining 69 yards on 14 carries, averaging 4.9 yards per rush, easily his finest career performance. He also had a career-best 14-yard gain. Teammate LB Courtney Jones made his 1st career start replacing injured Eric Pauly and led the Rams with 9 tackles including 7 unassisted.

First Trio
Rams? RB Marcus Houston gained 47 yards on 13 carries against Fresno State. He had the first 3-touchdown game of his collegiate career including 2 on the ground and a 5-yard pass from QB Bradlee Van Pelt - his 1st career reception at Colorado State and 1st touchdown reception by a Rams? running back in 2003.

Totally Offensive
Four times in 6 games to date, Colorado State has gained more than 400 total yards, including 467 in the Rams? win over Fresno State.

Late-Game Success
Colorado State has a 74-4 record (95%) under Sonny Lubick when the Rams lead after three periods. The only four losses include:

Sept. 7, 2002; UCLA 30, Colorado State 19; Rams lead 13-7 at end of third quarter.

Oct. 13, 2001; Fresno State 25, Colorado State 22 (ot); Rams lead, 14-13, at end of third quarter.

Sept. 17, 1998; Air Force 30, Colorado State 27; Rams lead, 27-17 at end of third quarter.

Nov. 16, 1996; Wyoming 25, Colorado State 24; Rams lead, 24-13, at end of third quarter.

300-Yard Performances
Former Rams? QB Terry Nugent holds the school records for 300-yard passing games in a season, 6 in 1983. The list of season 300-yard games includes:
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
The list of CSU?s career 300-yard passing game leaders includes:
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
WR David Anderson (3) and WR Chris Pittman (3) are among the leaders for 100-yard receiving games in a season:
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. Pat Juliana, 1972 339
Bradlee Van Pelt, 2003 330

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 27 1151 42.6
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 1-0 --
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 40-19

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

Depth Chart

OFFENSE

October 6, 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
and 22 Uldis Jaunarajs; 5-10, 210, SO.-SQ, Lakewood, CO/Bear Creek
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

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