Colorado State looking to avoid late-game scenarios against Fresno State
AP MegaSports
Colorado State quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt hopes his team doesn't have to make any dramatic comebacks at Fresno State on Saturday.
The 25th-ranked Rams (4-1) have had four of their five games decided by six points or less.
Van Pelt threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Joel Dreessen with 2:43 remaining to rally Colorado State past Nevada 32-28 last Saturday.
Van Pelt, who also ran for 128 yards and a touchdown, has thrown for 821 yards and run for 308 yards this season. The senior quarterback also has two passing touchdowns and three rushing scores in the five games.
Tailback Cecil Sapp added 125 yards rushing and a touchdown, and Rhett Nelson had a key interception to help the Rams overcome a 14-point third-quarter deficit against Nevada.
"I think we've proven that we don't really panic when we get down," said Van Pelt, who completed 9 of 17 passes for 163 yards.
Fresno State (2-3) will need to keep Van Pelt contained in the pocket if it is to avoid losing for the third time in four games.
"That's what Van Pelt does. A lot of times he drops back to pass and it turns into a run. He has that scramble ability," Fresno State coach Pat Hill said Monday. "If you have the receivers covered, he going to take off and it's like a draw play every time."
The Bulldogs have one of the tougher non-conference schedules in the country, having already played and defeated No. 19 Wisconsin 23-21 in their opener before losing to No. 8 Oregon 28-24 on Sept. 7.
"I think most of the things that come from a tough schedule are positive," Hill said. "The only negative thing is your record.
"Hopefully, our team is getting better and this game against Colorado State is a good measuring stick."
Fresno State returns home after squeezing out a 31-28 win over Rice last Saturday to end its two-game losing streak. Paul Pinegar threw a 77-yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Jamison with 3:12 to play to secure the victory.
Pinegar completed 18 of 29 passes for 325 yards and two touchdowns. Marque Davis caught six passes for 133 yards and one touchdown. Jamison finished with six catches for 112 yards and a touchdown.
Much like the Rams, the Bulldogs have had their share of tightly contested games. Four of Fresno State's five games have been decided by four points or less.
The teams have split their last four meetings. Asen Asparuhov kicked a 41-yard field goal in overtime, leading Fresno State to a 25-22 win last November.