COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY : Cal State Northridge vs. Cal State Hayward

At North Campus Stadium 7 p.m.

Cal State Northridge and Cal State Hayward both won their season openers by impressive margins last week. And they did it in much the same fashion. Led by Mike Kane’s 122 yards and three touchdowns, CSUN runners gained 227 yards in a 35-17 win over Sonoma State. Hayward ball carriers totaled 284 yards in a 34-7 win over St. Mary’s. Lamar Kirkland, a reserve tailback, carried 11 times for 141 yards and three touchdowns. The Pioneers, who are expected to challenge UC Davis’ 15-year long hold on the Northern California Athletic Conference, start seniors Mike Matthews, Marcus Whitten and Bill Neal in their offensive backfield. Matthews (5-8, 170) had 72 yards on 13 carries in the opener, while Whitten (5-9, 170) had 85 yards on nine rushes. Neal (6-2, 202) completed 12 of 21 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown. Neal alternated with two other quarterbacks last season, but won the job outright this year. Northridge, however, has not decided who its quarterback will be. Chris Parker and Danny Fernandez split time against Sonoma State and are expected to do the same tonight. The key to the game may be how well each team’s defense handles the other’s offensive line. Hayward’s line, anchored by 6-3, 325-pound Fred (the Estate) Williams, goes 250, 265, 236, 260, 325 across the front. The Northridge defense, which will be without the services of linebacker Reggie Wauls, gave up only 177 yards last week. Wauls, who led the Matadors in tackles last season, is out with a sprained ankle.

Sonoma State at Cal Lutheran At Mt. Clef Stadium 2:00 p.m.

Cal Lutheran is 5-0 against Sonoma State. Last year, CLU beat the Cossacks at Sonoma, 28-7. The Kingsmen (1-0) beat San Francisco State last week, 31-0. Quarterback Tom Bonds threw for 289 yards and two touchdowns. CLU’s defense held San Francisco to 166 yards. Linebacker Terry Rowe was named NAIA defensive player of the week. He returned an interception 64 yards for a touchdown and recovered a fumble. Sonoma State lost its season-opener at home against Cal State Northridge, 35-17. The Cossacks have never had a winning season in seven years of NCAA football competition. Last year, they finished 3-7. CLU running back Tracy Downs gained 92 yards--a career high--against Sonoma State in last season’s game.

Valley at Glendale

At Glendale High 1:30 p.m.

Valley football Coach Chuck Ferrero has played down suggestions that his team, anchored by 17 transfers from Pierce College, is be one of the best-kept secrets in the state. Against Glendale, he’ll find out for sure. The Vaqueros (1-0) are the defending Potato Bowl champions and are ranked No. 5 in the state by the JC Athletic Bureau and No. 2 in the Southland poll of sports information directors. In last year’s game, Valley led 15-0 in the third quarter only to lose 23-15. The Monarchs gave up 305 yards on defense in last week’s 16-14 loss to Ventura. Offensively, Valley lost four fumbles. Dondre Bausley, a redshirt freshman from L.A. Lutheran, rushed for 110 yards and 15 carries. Josh Davis will start at quarterback, although freshman John Watkins may appear in relief. Last week, Watkins completed three of five passes in the second half to lead Valley back from a 10-0 deficit.

Moorpark vs. Compton

At Compton 1:30 p.m.

To hear Compton Coach Art Perkins tell it, his club is in over its head this season. “We’re playing schools that are five times our size,” said Perkins, whose team of 35 players lost, 37-29, last week to San Bernardino--a team of more than 80 players. “We don’t have much depth or experience and we’re in a conference that is just too tough for our kids.” Indeed. With the exception of Compton, which was 4-6 last season, the South Coast Conference is considered one of the best in the state. That, coupled with seven Compton starters missing because of academic ineligibility, may be all Moorpark (0-1) needs to earn its first win. On the other hand, Moorpark’s defense last week had trouble defending against the pass, which is Compton’s forte. Against San Bernardino, Compton quarterback Lance Salters threw for 267 yards and four touchdowns. Against the pass, Compton (0-1) has a pair of all-state candidates in cornerbacks Sean Fernandez and Henry Miller. On offense, Compton’s line averages 230 pounds. Moorpark, still in search of a starting quarterback, lost, 20-7, last week to Harbor.