CSUN Attempts to Utilize Talent of Linebackers

After unveiling a two-man front with five linebackers last week in a 14-0 loss to Central Oklahoma, Mark Banker, Cal State Northridge’s defensive coordinator, will employ more new defensive schemes today against Idaho.

The purpose is to make maximum use of CSUN’s depth and talent at linebacker, which is superior to that of the defensive line.

“What would be nice is if we could line up with four people with their hands on the ground,” Banker said. “We would like to pass rush with good athletes of the height and weight of our opponents.

“Our concern is getting the best 11 on the field. Every week we get to be creative, but we only have 20 hours a week (under NCAA rules) to teach.”

Banker’s willingness to experiment was not as apparent last season when the Matadors slid to a 3-7 record. “Maybe we didn’t make enough changes,” he said.

In 1990, Banker didn’t have to tinker much with a defense that led the Matadors to the Western Football Conference title.

Unlike the ’90 team, which had depth at every position and reserves who could play more than one position, this team is not as deep. Budget cuts enabled the Matadors to bring in only eight junior college players last spring compared to 20 in the previous spring.

TOUGH DECISION

Banker made a difficult decision this week when he replaced strong safety Kevin Carmichael with Eric Treibatch.

Treibatch, a three-year starter from Montclair Prep, gradually has worked his way into the lineup since undergoing spinal surgery July 29. The third-leading tackler in CSUN history, Treibatch also will replace Cedric Hackett on special teams.

“It’s difficult because Kevin has played well for us and Cedric has done a good job on special teams, and here’s Eric Treibatch, an all-conference player for two years,” Banker said. “So what do you do from a personnel standpoint? It would be easy if Kevin and Cedric weren’t doing the right things, but they are.

“We’re going with Eric, but we’re not going to disregard Kevin.”

TEAM COMIC

Northridge defensive tackle Mike Zorn is forever clowning. The leader of the linemen in daily sprint sessions, his mouth runs almost as fast as he does.

Recently, Zorn came to the “rescue” of a team trainer who injured his knee.

Yelling, “football player, football player,” mocking the “trainer, trainer” cry that accompanies injuries, Zorn ran to the trainer’s side, knelt and put clumps of grass on the trainer’s knee cap.

Zorn, a reserve last season, beat out Alex DeHayward for the starting position at left tackle.

“They used that (recruiting DeHayward) to motivate me this summer,” Zorn said. “I was 20 pounds heavier than I am now and they said, ‘You (had) better come back in good shape.’

“Plus, I have an attitude (problem) sometimes. It’s something I have to work on.”

OUT OF RESPECT

High desert football fans tuning in to Saturday’s USC-Washington game to check on former Antelope Valley High standout Tommie Smith, be advised to look for a different number.

Smith, who has worn No. 15 since his freshman season with the Huskies, switched to No. 20.

Smith, a senior strong safety, made the change out of respect for Travis Spring, a Husky wide receiver who died of cancer in April.

Spring, 19, a redshirt freshman, also wore No. 15.

“We had the same number and the same initials,” Smith said.

“I heard the coaches were going to ask me about it, but I went to them first, instead. He was my friend and I didn’t think anyone should wear that number.”

TWICE BURNED

If Ventura College lines up in a bizarre formation during tonight’s Western State Conference football game against Pierce, it won’t surprise Brahma Coach Bill Norton.

The Pierce coach says he has seen opponents in illegal formations the past two weeks, and on each occasion it cost the Brahmas a touchdown.

In Pierce’s opener, East L.A. scored on a fake punt in which Norton believes the receiver came in off the sideline.

Then, in last week’s game against Harbor, the Seahawks scored after a fourth-and-three play in which five players lined up in the backfield.

“We told the flank official before the game they might do that,” Norton said of the Harbor game. “They had their full-house backfield and then their quarterback and also a wingback. Even I could see that.”

THREE FOR ONE

Not only is Ventura cross-country Coach Tuck Mason a proven recruiter, this season he has shown he can be an efficient one.

There are four freshmen from Channel Islands High on this year’s women’s team, including triplets Isabel, Belinda and Veronica Saucedo. The three helped the Pirates to fourth place recently in the first Western State Conference meet.

“It was a three-for-one deal,” Mason said. “They expressed interest in coming. One visit and we got all three.”

It might be a while before that happens again, but Mason could have a repeat of sorts: He is recruiting two of the Saucedos’ former teammates--twins Lorena and Leticia Perez--seniors at Channel Islands.

Staff writers Mike Hiserman, Kirby Lee and Theresa Munoz contributed to this notebook.