CSUN Shows Diversity in Spring Game

During the past two football seasons Cal State Northridge has never treated its first play from scrimmage as a chance to show imagination.

In 1986, it was tailback Mike Kane right, left, or up the middle. Ditto for Albert Fann last season.

And next fall? Well, Fann is back for his sophomore season, but if the beginning of the Red-White spring game Saturday night at North Campus Stadium is any indication, CSUN may not be as predictable.

Along with Fann, two other key players return in the offensive scheme: quarterback Rob Huffman and wide receiver Keith Wright. And as a result, it appears Northridge will be every bit as willing to bomb as it is to blast.

That became apparent early in the spring game, which concluded five weeks of practice.

On the first play from scrimmage Huffman, who was playing for the white team, dropped back and arched a bomb to Wright down the left sideline for a 69-yard gain.

Wright, who was on the receiver end of 10 of CSUN’s 15 scoring passes last season, was knocked out of bounds at the 1-yard line.

The white squad ended up not scoring, but Huffman did team with Wright on a 7-yard scoring toss with 41 seconds left in the game. It was the white team’s only touchdown in a 17-9 loss.

Wright caught three passes for 101 yards. Huffman completed 7 of 20 for 143 yards, but was intercepted three times.

Both players are hopeful the passing game will be even more of a weapon this season.

“I think we’ll take whatever they give us,” Wright said. “If we’re running the ball well I don’t see any drastic changes, but when we come up against those good defense teams and we have to throw the ball we’ll do exactly that.”

And if opponents start double-teaming Wright? Then, Huffman said, they can always run--or keep going to Wright.

At the end of the game, the red team was well aware of No. 84--even blatantly holding him on some occasions--and he still got the TD.