Colorado State University Athletics
Rams? Thoughts Turn Toward Bears
9/2/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Fort Collins, Colo. ? While Colorado State University football coach Sonny Lubick might have lingering thoughts about last week?s opening game, he and his team are quickly turning their sights toward this week?s foe, the University of California.
The Rams and Bears meet for the first time ever Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley (3 p.m. PT/4 p.m. MT; Radio: Colorado State Sports Network).
Lubick said the Rams? errors in a 42-35 loss to Colorado are correctable.
?I honestly believe we can correct those things (that hurt the team),? he said.
Lubick said defensively, he was pleased with an effort that held CU to just 102 yards ? two fewer than the Rams? leading rusher, Marcus Houston, gained on the night.
?We just gave up too many big plays,? added Lubick.
The Rams gained 585 total yards, including 339 passing by Bradlee Van Pelt, 104 on the ground by Houston, and a pair of 100-yard receivers in Chris Pittman (144) and David Anderson (142).
?Offensively, we were a thing of beauty out there,? Lubick said. ?I think we found a running game. The addition of Marcus Houston, how he handles himself, how the coaches handle him, is a real shot in the arm for our team.?
Already, the Rams have turned their sights toward a 1-1 Cal team that beat Southern Mississippi, 34-2 last weekend in Berkeley.
?Cal looks like a good football team. They moved the ball against Kansas State and put up 28 points. They will be difficult for us,? he said.
Cal coach Jeff Tedford was thrilled with his team?s play in last week?s win over USM.
?I?m happy with the way our guys have worked are and prepared,? he said. ?The Kansas State game gave them experience, it was baptism by fire. We bounced back against Southern Mississippi, especially on defense.?
Tedford said he?s seen the Rams? Van Pelt on television, and has been impressed by the senior quarterback?s play.
?I?ve seen Van Pelt on television quite a bit. He seems to be deceptively fast, and runs through tackles,? Tedford said.
?CSU always is very well-coached and they play very hard. I really respect the job Sonny has done,? he said.
Following Saturday?s road game the Rams face Weber State Sept. 13 at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium. Kickoff for the team?s home opener is 1 p.m.
