Portland State Routs Sputtering Northridge, 35-10

Cal State Northridge virtually fell out of the Western Football Conference race Saturday night with an inconsistent offense and a defense that was burned twice on 80-yard touchdown passes in the first quarter.

With the 35-10 loss at North Campus Stadium to defending WFC champion Portland State, Northridge (4-5, 1-2 in conference play) has only a mathematical chance of winning the conference title. It has one game remaining, next Saturday against visiting Cal State Sacramento.

The Matadors were limited to 96 yards rushing with Jamal Farmer held to 68 in 12 carries. Quarterback Marty Fisher passed for 223 yards, completing 21 of 43 passes, but he managed only one touchdown pass. Kicker Joe Jezulin missed field goals of 25, 41 and 39 yards.

“I think not getting the ball in the end zone a couple times and not getting the field goals was demoralizing to the defense,” Northridge Coach Bob Burt said.

“You can’t play defense, defense, defense all day long without putting points on the board. The effort was outstanding; we just didn’t get it done.”

Before he was sidelined by a sprained left wrist early in the third quarter, Portland State quarterback John Charles, a Harlon Hill candidate (the Division II version of the Heisman trophy), completed 12 of 18 passes for 289 yards and three touchdowns. The Vikings (6-3, 2-1) also showed a potent running game with Rais Aho gaining 147 yards in 26 carries.

Portland State took a 7-0 lead with 7 minutes 47 seconds left in the first quarter when flanker Matt James caught a 10-yard screen pass from Charles, split two defenders with a cut inside and outran the Northridge secondary.

Five minutes later, split end Henry Newson beat cornerback Vinnie Johnson in single coverage down the right sideline. Newson had five yards on Johnson when he caught the ball at the Northridge 40 and ran untouched into the end zone for a 14-0 advantage. “I was waiting for him to break off his route,” said Johnson, who was replaced by Mike Brown. “I gambled and he kept going.”

On the Matadors’ ensuing possession, Fisher connected with Saadite Green for a 58-yard pass play--the longest of the season. But the drive stalled when Robert Trice dropped a pitchout for a six-yard loss on first down, a second down run by Trice was met by a swarm of defenders and Fisher’s screen pass to Jim Warren on third and 16 went for just six yards.

“We sputtered,” Fisher said. “We paused at the wrong times.”

As a result, the Matadors settled for a 32-yard field goal and trailed, 14-3, with 14:06 left in the second quarter.

Portland State answered with a 79-yard, 10-play drive, capped by a 10-yard touchdown catch by tight end Mike Palomino who found a cushion in the end zone behind linebacker Tyrone Dorsey and in front of strong safety Eric Treibatch, who made 10 tackles.

Northridge made it 21-10 at halftime with a 10-play, 80-yard drive featuring a 15-yard reception by Trice, a 12-yard run by Trice, a 12-yard catch by Victor Prince and a five-yard touchdown catch by Prince.