Van Pelt relishing role as Rams’ quarterback

Steve Guiremand

Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2001 | 10:06 a.m.

If UNLV and Colorado State had played last month as originally scheduled, Bradlee Van Pelt would not have been the starting quarterback for the Rams.

In fact, it was around that time that Sonny Lubick asked the 6-foot-3, 215-pound sophomore transfer from Michigan State to switch to another position because it appeared fellow sophomore D.J. Busch was going to be "The Man."

"They basically told me I could move to any position," Van Pelt said. "They really wanted me to play running back. But I stuck to my guns and decided to keep giving quarterback a shot."

Smart move.

It was only a week later that Van Pelt took over for the benched Busch as the Rams' starting quarterback. And last Saturday night against eighth-ranked Fresno State, the son of former New York Giants All-Pro linebacker Brad Van Pelt nearly led the Rams to an upset of the Bulldogs before losing, 25-22, in overtime

Van Pelt rushed for 141 yards on 14 carries against a good Fresno State defense, including a memorable 53-yard touchdown run during which he broke four tackles to get to the end zone. He also threaded the needle on a 21-yard touchdown pass to Pete Rebstock despite getting hammered as he threw to give the Rams a short-lived 22-19 lead with 27 seconds to go.

Now the man the Rams wanted to move to another position is being lauded in Fort Collins for his toughness, leadership and composure.

"I think he's improved a lot," Lubick said. "We saw a lot of improvement from the previous game to this game. But he's got to continue to improve a lot more ... especially on a lot of the little things, like getting the plays off on time and avoiding illegal procedure penalties ... little things that can stop a drive for you."

What really concerns UNLV's coaching staff is Van Pelt's ability to run. The Rebels have been burned badly at times this year by quarterback draws and scrambles by players such as BYU's Brandon Doman and Nevada-Reno's David Neill.

"He's a big runner, kind of like JT (UNLV quarterback Jason Thomas) running down the field," UNLV coach John Robinson said. "He's big and makes you miss and can run over you, too."

"I think running the football has always been one of my strengths," Van Pelt said. "Now I'm trying to develop more of my passing skills as a quarterback."

If Saturday night's loss to Fresno State is any indication, Van Pelt is certainly making progress in that area.

However, all three are expected to return to the practice field this afternoon and are expected to be ready to play on Saturday afternoon against Colorado State.

"It's that time of the year where you have a lot of guys nicked up," Robinson said.

The game was originally scheduled for Sept. 14 but was postponed because of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

"That makes this the perfect game to say thanks to our local heroes," UNLV associate athletic director Terry Cottle said.

Beginning Thursday, any area firefighter, police officer or sheriff's officer can pick up a ticket by showing a vaild photo ID at the Thomas and Mack Center box office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday, and 10 a.m. until kickoff on Saturday. The tickets will also be available on game day at the Sam Boyd Stadium box office beginning at 10 a.m.

Single complimentary tickets are located in the end zone and additional seats are available at $12 apiece.