CSUN’s Harper Might Return in 3 Weeks

Lance Harper, the Cal State Northridge tailback who expected to miss several weeks because of a knee injury, probably will miss only two games, Coach Bob Burt said Wednesday.

Harper suffered a bruised knee in CSUN’s 34-23 victory over Idaho State on Saturday. Team doctors originally believed that there might be ligament damage, which could have sidelined Harper for the rest of the season.

Harper, a junior from San Fernando, was examined by two doctors Wednesday, and it was determined the injury was only a bruise.

Harper, who alternates at running back with Albert Fann, has rushed for 277 yards and 3 touchdowns in 53 carries this season.

Harper will miss Northridge’s Western Football Conference opener Saturday night against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo at North Campus Stadium and likely will miss the following week’s conference game at Cal Lutheran.

Harper should return to action for Northridge’s Oct. 15 game against Portland State, the defending WFC champion.

Derrick White, a junior transfer from Compton College, moved up the depth chart to assume the role of Fann’s backup, Burt said. White, who had been tried at fullback, has gained 16 yards in 3 carries.

“He’ll do just fine,” Burt said.

Injuries also struck several other area college football teams.

Cal Lutheran reported that freshman running back Marcel Sellers is out indefinitely because of an injured ankle.

At Glendale, fullback James Bledsoe, a preseason junior college All-American, has suffered a sprained right knee and will miss the Vaqueros’ game against Pierce on Saturday.

At Moorpark, the news was even worse. Center Matt Daising and linebacker Eric Craig, both sophomores, will miss the rest of the season because of knee injuries.