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Provided by copyright (c)1997 Associated Press
TUESDAY 10/28/97  6:07:34
^Van Pelt replaces Collins as starting QB for Bills<
^By BUCKY GLEASON=
^AP Sports Writer=
   ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) _ Two weeks ago, Alex Van Pelt was a
self-described company man who was happy to have a roster spot as
the third-string quarterback with the Buffalo Bills.
   On Monday, one day after guiding the Bills to a 20-point
comeback against the Denver Broncos, Van Pelt was told by Buffalo
coach Marv Levy he would replace Todd Collins as the starter.
   ``It's been a long road,'' Van Pelt said. ``I've bounced around,
been cut a few times here and there. You just have to stay
persistent, wait for your opportunities and be patient. That's
what's happening right now.''
   Van Pelt was behind No. 2 quarterback Billy Joe Hobert earlier
this month before Hobert admitted he wasn't prepared for a game
against the New England Patriots and was waived.
   After Buffalo's offense struggled for three quarters against the
Broncos, Van Pelt came in and threw for 177 yards and two
touchdowns in the fourth quarter as the Bills came back from a 20-0
deficit in the final seconds.
   Denver eventually won 23-20 in overtime, but Van Pelt made a big
enough impression to take over the starting job this week against
Miami. It will be the first NFL start in the 27-year-old's career.
   ``That's the way it is in this business,'' Van Pelt said. ``I
feel for Todd, but I'm excited for myself at the same time.''
   Collins was 7-for-18 for 35 yards and two interceptions,
including one where Denver defensive end Keith Traylor returned the
ball 62 yards for a touchdown.
   Two plays before the interception, wide receiver Andre Reed
dropped a sure touchdown pass over the middle. Collins was
uncomfortable for three quarters in the no-huddle offense,
something Buffalo has used rarely this season.
   ``I did not handle the no-huddle offense well in the beginning
of the game,'' Collins said. ``Guys have been shuffled in and out
all year. I guess it was my turn where they made a decision to go
with somebody else.''
   It marks the first time in Levy's career in Buffalo that he made
a quarterback change without having an injury to the starter. Until
this season, Jim Kelly was the regular starter. Kelly has since
retired as the greatest quarterback in team history.
   Buffalo has not scored a first-quarter touchdown in the last 12
games, including all eight this season with Collins at quarterback.
The Bills have just five touchdowns in the first half this season.
   ``It got to the point where we didn't have a leader around here
like when we had Jim Kelly,'' running back Thurman Thomas said. ``I
think it's obvious we needed something different with the offense
to get us going.''
   Van Pelt was a four-year starter at the University of
Pittsburgh, where he broke many of Miami quarterback Dan Marino's
passing records.
   Coming into this season, Van Pelt had completed 12-of-23 passes
for 115 yards and two touchdowns in the NFL. He was waived by the
Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs before being signed onto
the Bills' practice squad during the 1994 season.
   ``It says a lot for his persistence and his ability to persevere
against some disappointments,'' Levy said. ``That is a quality that
should put him in good stead going into these games. He's performed
for us a few times and done pretty darned well. He deserves the
shot.''