Rams' scrimmage goes well

Sonny Lubick saw a little bit of everything by his Colorado State University football team Saturday during a two-hour practice that included a 90-minute scrimmage.

"Probably in some ways, it was very good, even better than I had anticipated," said Lubick, the team's 11th-year coach who has guided Colorado State to six conference titles and seven bowl games.

He saw the continued impressive play of senior quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt, last year's offensive MVP in the Mountain West Conference. Van Pelt finished the day completing 12-of-13 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown - a 6-yard pass to receiver Chris Pittman.

"You have to give Bradlee credit.  He made a lot of plays," said Lubick.

He also saw a defense that he said forced the offense into several third-and-long yardage situations.

"Now we need to work on making those third down plays and getting the defense off the field."

He praised the play of linebackers Eric Pauly and Jeff Flora, both of whom have had outstanding springs to date. Tight end Joel Dreessen, who caught three passes for 31 yards Saturday, is even better than a year ago, said Lubick, when he earned first-team all-conference honors as a sophomore.

And, he was impressed with his team's rushing game, particularly junior redshirt Jimmy Green, who gained 52 yards on four carries and scored on a 25-yard run.   The day's only other score came on runningback Kwami Austin's 8-yard run.

"We need to keep working and get better. We're where we need to be today, but we've got to keep working and be better by the end of the spring."

Saturday's workout marked the halfway point of spring drills, which conclude with an intrasquad spring game at Hughes Stadium April 26. Lubick said the big push the final two weeks of practice would be developing continuity and consistency on both sides of the ball.

He also said a handful of players - including cornerback Dexter Wynn and linebacker Drew Wood, both starters on defense, and starting center Mark Dreyer - missed the workout due to minor injuries.

Colorado State will return to the field for three practices next week, with workouts scheduled Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.