Injury Reduces Fann to Role of Rooter : Northridge: All-American tailback watches as three other Matador running backs combine for 182 rushing yards.

The forgotten men who play behind Cal State Northridge All-American tailback Albert Fann found themselves in the spotlight Saturday, but they didn’t blink.

With Fann watching from the sideline on a sprained ankle, seniors Victor DeVaughn, Oscar Pittman and Jason Ferguson turned in career-best performances in a 25-24 loss to Cal State Long Beach.

DeVaughn, who had gained just 125 yards all season, rushed for a career-high 121 yards in 13 carries. The biggest chunk came on an 80-yard burst up the middle that tied the score, 17-17, with 36 seconds left in the third quarter.

“I just cut back,” said DeVaughn, who ran untouched for only his second career touchdown. “You’re not supposed to dance, you just gotta run.”

DeVaughn’s explosive sprint contrasted sharply to a tentative first-half effort of 11 yards in eight carries.

“He was kinda nervous,” Fann said. “He wasn’t used to (starting). I told him he needed to explode more.”

Pittman’s two-year career at Northridge amounted to 65 yards of total offense in 1989. Until his three-yard run with 11 minutes remaining in the second quarter, he had not carried the ball in 1990.

He wound up with 37 hard-earned yards in 11 carries.

“I have a limited role, but I’m there to step in,” Pittman said. “I have no gripes. Albert is a great tailback and Victor is a great tailback. I help where I can.”

So does Ferguson, who couldn’t have picked a better time to score his first touchdown in his four-year Matador career. His 18-yard dash on a trap play gave CSUN a 24-17 lead with 10:39 remaining.

“The way their defense was playing there was only one linebacker up the middle,” said Ferguson, who gained 24 yards. “Once he was blocked, it was clear.

“We know Albert is The Man. When he goes down, we as a team have to come through.”

Fann, whose play was limited to three kickoff returns, could not have been prouder of his running mates, but the loss was foremost in his mind.

“I feel sick inside,” Fann said.