BRIEFLY

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Apr 13, 2003

Air Force quarterback turns attention to passing game

Having mastered the running game, Air Force senior quarterback Chance Harridge is turning his attention to the passing game.

Harridge returned to the starting lineup at Saturday's practice after missing two days with the flu last week. Last season, Harridge totaled 1,229 yards rushing and set an NCAA record for rushing touchdowns in a season by a quarterback with 22.

This year he hopes to improve his passing. Harridge completed 44.4- percent of his passes for 1,062 yards and 10 touchdowns against seven interceptions last season.

After leading the nation in rushing last year, Air Force isn't about to abandon its running game, but this spring there is increased emphasis on becoming a more efficient passing team.

"All Chance is basically working on is his throwing game," Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry said. "If we can improve our passing by 10 percentage points, it might be the difference in winning three or four more games."

Etc.: Springs cyclist rebounds for first victory

Four years into his professional career, Michael Creed considered life without bicycle racing for the first time this week at the Sea Otter Classic.

But 24 hours after a disappointing time trial, the 22-year rider from Colorado Springs, claimed his first pro win late Friday afternoon by outsprinting friend Tom Danielsen in the 60-kilometer men's circuit race during a sunny and windy day Laguna Seca Raceway in California.

"This is big for me," said Creed, who finished in 1 hour, 16 minutes, 46 seconds. "I've always felt like I 've been a row behind. I've never been more than an under-23 racer or a helper, so it was nice."

Saturday, Springs resident Alison Dunlap won the women's short- track mountain bike race at Sea Otter. She'll compete in the cross- country race today.