Trice Fills In Admirably, Carries CSUN to 16-14 Win

In preparation for Cal State Northridge’s game against UC Davis, Robert Trice lined up at tailback this week.

Coach Bob Burt never imagined Trice would be doing the same thing Saturday night. He figured Jamal Farmer, the transfer from Hawaii, would recover from a left knee bruise and carry the load.

Instead, Farmer remained out and Trice, a junior transfer from Porterville College, got the call. He responded with 107 yards in 25 carries, leading the Matadors to a 16-14 win over the Aggies.

The triumph ended a five-game losing streak for Northridge, which improved to 1-1 in its home opener before 3,417.

Kicker Joe Jezulin made the difference with a 28-yard field goal with 4 minutes 47 seconds remaining. Earlier, Jezulin missed an extra point and had a 25-yard field goal attempt blocked. “Yes, I was having a rough time,” Jezulin said. “My main thing is I believe in God heavily; I was hoping he’d give me strength.”

Northridge marched 62 yards in nine plays for its winning field goal. Trice gained eight yards on first down, and a personal foul by the Aggies tacked 15 yards onto the play. Trice, however, suffered a cramp and was replaced by Jess Garner.

With the running of Garner, fullback Jim Warren and a eight-yard catch by Duc Ngo, CSUN moved into scoring position.

The Northridge defense limited Davis (0-1) to 99 yards in the second half after allowing 207 in the first half.

The Northridge offense also grew stronger as the game progressed.

The offensive line, which took the brunt of criticism last week when Cal State Fullerton held the Matadors to eight yards rushing in 24 carries, made great strides.

“I think it was us improving and Robert’s running,” left tackle John Chase said. “Robert ran (great) and we didn’t let him down. We’re all new. We had never played together. We just needed more time together.”

Northridge took the lead on its first possession. The Matador drive started on the Davis 43 after Aggie tailback Preston Jackson fumbled on Davis’ second play from scrimmage and cornerback Vincent Jackson recovered.

The Matadors drove 43 yards in 10 plays, including a nine-yard run by Trice, a six-yard catch by Ngo and a key two-yard quarterback sneak by Marty Fisher on fourth and one from the 21. Scott Hamilton caught an 11-yard touchdown pass with a leaping catch in front of strong safety Billy Hack.

Davis tied it, 7-7, with a six-play drive on its third possession. A poor 34-yard punt by Albert Razo gave the Aggies the ball on the CSUN 48. The key play of the drive was a 26-yard catch by fullback Shaun Ayers, who ended the drive with a two-yard touchdown run.

The Aggies drove to the Northridge 30 on their next possession, but Gerald Ponder ended the march with an interception and 12-yard return.

Northridge did not capitalize on the turnover, gaining just two yards. After a 27-yard punt by Razo, the Aggies marched again with ease. Their eight-play, 48-yard drive ended with a one-yard run by Ayers for a 14-7 lead.

Northridge responded with its best offensive possession of the half, a 13-play, 74-yard drive highlighted by a 17-yard catch by Ngo, a 15-yard catch by Marlon McBride, a 10-yard reception by Troy Strange, a nine-yard run by Trice and Ngo’s 15-yard touchdown catch on a slant pattern.

Jezulin’s extra-point attempt hit a goal post and Davis led, 14-13, at halftime.