Colorado State University Athletics

Football Preview ? New Mexico
11/3/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Last In Albuquerque
Colorado State clinched a bowl trip in 2001 by winning at New Mexico, 24-17. K Kent Naughton hit 3 field goals and CSU forced 5 interceptions in the game.
Last Meeting
Colorado State clinched the 2002 MWC title with a 22-14 win over New Mexico before an overflow crowd of 32,215 at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium on Nov. 23. CSU scored 12 points in the 1st quarter and a touchdown in the 2nd quarter on Rhett Nelson?s 54-yard fumble return for a touchdown. QB Bradlee Van Pelt rushed for 106 yards and threw for 120 in the game.
Injury Report
OL Albert Bimper (shoulder, neck); H-Back Joel Dreessen (lower abdominal strain); TE Clint Oldenburg (lower abdominal strain); LB Eric Pauly (knee); RB Rahsaan Sanders (ankle); DL Andre Sommersell (biceps contusion); WR Russell Sprague (knee).
Crowd Count
Colorado State?s home attendance is on a record-setting pace. Colorado State has drawn 154,659 fans in 5 home dates, 30,932 per game. By drawing 32,686 fans for the final home date, Nov. 15 vs. San Diego State, CSU would set a new season attendance record. CSU ranks among the top 10 programs nationally in percent capacity attendance, 103.1.
In November
During Sonny Lubick?s tenure at Colorado State, the Rams are 23-6 (79.3 percent) in November including a 13-3 record on the road, 10-3 at home.
Sack Pack
Colorado State enters this week?s game with 19 quarterback sacks, one more than last season?s total.
Rams Seeking To Extend Streak
With 2 more wins in 2003, Colorado State can extend its current school-record streak of winning at least 7 games in a season 9 times in a row dating back to 1994. Colorado State would remain among 7 teams nationally with the most consecutive winning seasons (see page 4 for current list).
Conference Record
Colorado State has a cumulative 60-20 conference record during Sonny Lubick?s 11 seasons.
MWC Record
Since the inception of the Mountain West Conference in 1999, Colorado State has a 25-8 (75.6 percent) record in conference play, the most wins by any league member.
Opening Drives
Colorado State opened last week?s game at Wyoming with a 7-play, 49-yard scoring drive. It marked the 2nd time in 2003 the Rams have scored on the team?s opening drive. The other time it happened was during a 58-13 win at BYU. Colorado State, on 7 other opening drives, has punted 4 times and had 3 turnovers.
Season Victories
With 2 more victories in 2003, Colorado State would be assured of a 10th consecutive winning season, extending the current record. The list of consecutive winning seasons includes:
No. Years Coach
9 1994-2002 Sonny Lubick (current)
8 1922-29 Harry Hughes
6 1947-52 Bob Davis
4 1931-34 Harry Hughes
3 1974-76 Sarkis Arslanian
Road Win Streak
Colorado State has won its last 5 games against the Lobos in Albuquerque, dating back to a 24-23 loss in 1988 at University Stadium.
Close Calls
The last 4 meetings of the Rams and Lobos - since the inception of the MWC in 1999 - have been decided by a total of 32 points, 8.0 per game.
Friday Night Lights
Colorado State makes its 4th appearance in 2003 and 40th national appearance on ESPN or ESPN2 at New Mexico. The game will be the 96th time in Sonny Lubick?s 11 seasons the Rams will have appeared on regional or national television for a game. This week?s game is the 2nd national appearance on a Friday night for Colorado State. The Rams lost at Fresno State on ESPN2, 32-30, in 2002.
Starting Record
QB Bradlee Van Pelt has an 21-11 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, a league title and a win over Missouri in the Holiday Bowl.
Rushing Attack
Colorado State finished last week?s game with 304 yards rushing, the 2nd game in a row the Rams surpassed the 200 yard mark. A game prior, Colorado State finished with 306 yards in a win over Air Force. Colorado State has rushed for 200 or more yards 4 games in a row and 6 of 9 in 2003.
Dreessen Returns
H-Back Joel Dreessen returned to the starting lineup after missing 4 entire games due to a lower abdominal strain. Dreessen caught 1 pass for 3 yards at Wyoming. He did not resume his long-snapping duties - a special teams assignment the past 3 years.
Starters, Part II
QB Bradlee Van Pelt is the fourth quarterback to start at least two seasons or more in coach Sonny Lubick?s 11 seasons at the helm.
Year Quarterback Rec. Finish Bowl
2003 Bradlee Van Pelt 5-4 -- --
2000 Matt Newton 10-2 1st Liberty
1997 Moses Moreno 11-2 1st Holiday
1994 Anthoney Hill 10-2 1st Holiday
Receiving Streaks
H-Back Joel Dreessen has the team?s longest active streak with at least one reception - 29 games in a row - dating back to the 2001 season. WR Chris Pittman has caught at least one pass in 23 consecutive games.
Kicked Off
K Kevin Mark, a redshirt sophomore, has kicked off 54 times, and 28 have been downed for touchbacks. The opponents? average starting field position following a Mark kickoff is the 23-yard-line.
Van Pelt First Ever
QB Bradlee Van Pelt begins play this week with 5,495 career passing yards, the 7th player in school history to pass for more than 5,000 yards. He also has gained 2,011 yards rushing, thus becoming the 1st player in school history to pass for more than 5,000 yards and rush for more than 2,000 yards.
Quarterback Nearing Career Rushing List
QB Bradlee Van Pelt continues to add to his lengthy list of statistical accomplishments. He is bidding to become the 1st quarterback on the school?s all-time rushing list. With 2,011 career rushing yards, Van Pelt heeds 251 to tie Leonice Brown (2,262) for 10th.
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).
Van Pelt Long Plays
Rams? QB Bradlee Van Pelt has had 100 plays this season of 10 yards or longer, including a 46-yard run (longest by a team member in 2003) last week. Van Pelt has 25 rushes of longer than 10 yards, and 75 pass plays covering 10 or more yards. He had 11 plays of more than 10 yards last game. Five times (16-Colorado; 15-Fresno State; 15-Air Force; 12-Cal; 11-Wyoming) he has had more than 10 plays longer than 10 yards in a game.
Walkon Success Stories
During Sonny Lubick?s 11 seasons at Colorado State, walkon players have played a vital role in the Rams? success. Forty-four players through 2003 have played significant contributing roles to the success of the Rams, including:
QB Bradlee Van Pelt
WR Chris Pittman
WR David Anderson
DB Dexter Wynn
K Jeff Babcock
Rushing Defense
Colorado State has allowed 51 individual 100-yard rushing performances since 1993. The Rams are 30-18 in games where an opponent rusher has gained 100 or more yards. 55-22 when an opponent does not have a 100-yard rusher.
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, 2003 646
3. Bradlee Van Pelt, 2001 546
4. Anthoney Hill, 1993 433
5. Keith Lee, 1978 392
6. Pat Juliana, 1972 339
Late-Game Success
Colorado State has a 76-4 record (96%) under Sonny Lubick when the Rams lead after three periods. The four losses include:
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 at Wyoming 2003 20-140-1
Bradlee Van Pelt vs. Air Force 2003 17-125-2
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
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.
Babcock Punting Debut
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 35 1443 41.2
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 77 100-yard rushing performances in games during Sonny Lubick?s 10 seasons including seven in 2002. The Rams are 54-12 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 5 2-3
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 77 54-12
Rams On Record Pace
Colorado State enters this week?s game averaging 474.4 yards per game offensively, 11th nationally and 1st in the MWC. It is also the school?s top per-game average and one of only 5 times in school history a Colorado State team has averaged more than 400 yards per game in total offense. The current record is 458.9 yards per game in 1996.
At Home
The Rams are 41-15 at home during Sonny Lubick?s tenure, including:
Year Rec. Loss(es)
2003 3-2 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 2-1 Wyoming
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 41-20
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
2003 Air Force W 30-20
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
2003 at Wyoming L 28-35
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
November 4, 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
3 Rahsaan Sanders; 6-0, 217, Sr.-3VL, San Diego, CA/Horizon
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
22 Uldis Jaunarajs; 5-10, 210, So.-SQ, Lakewood, CO/Bear Creek
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
85 Dustin Osborne; 6-0, 184, Fr.-RS, La Junta, CO/La Junta
H-Back (H)
81 Joel Dreesen; 6-4, 253, Jr.-2VL, Fort Morgan, Co/Fort Morgan
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
76 Terrel Gardner; 6-6. 356, Sr.-3VL, Omaha, NE/Central
75 Zeke Hacker; 6-5, 295, Sr.-1VL, Shawnee Mission, KS/Butler County CC
77 Albert Bimper, inj.; 6-1, 290, So.-1VL, Arlington,TX/Bowie
Center
70 Mark Dreyer; 6-4, 275, Sr.-2VL, Brighton, CO/Brighton
77 Albert Bimper, inj.; 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
32 Adam Lancisero; 5-8. 200, Jr.-JC Orage, CA/Fullerton JC
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
30 Miles Kochevar; 6-1, 195, So.-SQ Fruita, Co/Fruita Monument
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
81 Joel Dreesen; 6-4, 253, Jr.-2VL, Fort Morgan, Co/Fort Morgan
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












