CSUN Cracks Top 20 in Division II Poll

Cal State Northridge’s impressive 20-7 win over Cal State Hayward last week helped put the Matadors into the NCAA Top 20 football rankings for the first time since 1981.

Northridge (2-0) was ranked No. 15 in Division II this week by a committee of NCAA coaches and administrators.

“It’s a pleasant surprise,” CSUN Coach Bob Burt said Tuesday. “I don’t know if any of us were ready for things to happen that quickly. I think it’s important for our players and people in our program to realize that you can go from the penthouse to the basement real quick. We have to continue going about things the same way we have to this point.”

Five years ago, the Matadors opened the season with a 3-0-1 record and were rated ninth. In 1967 Northridge achieved its highest ranking, seventh.

Northridge outgained Hayward, 324-208, last week. The Matador defense did not allow a touchdown and limited a potent Pioneer rushing attack to only 97 yards. Hayward was ranked 19th last week but has dropped from the Top 20.

The Matadors also received another notable performance from tailback Mike Kane, who rushed for 133 yards. It was the second time this season and the 10th in his career that Kane, a 5-10 185-pound senior from Temple City, has run for more than 100 yards.

For his performance, Kane was named the player of the week in the Western Football Conference.

Northridge will play at San Francisco State on Saturday. San Francisco has been outscored, 151-27, in losing its first three games. Northridge opened the season with a 35-17 victory over Sonoma State.