8 CS Northridge Football Players Gain Another Year : NCAA: Decision that eligibility will be determined by rules of the division a school belonged to when athlete enrolled benefits Matador group.

When he suffered a spiral fracture of his ring finger in preseason drills last fall, Cal State Northridge linebacker Patrick Johnson was not sure if he would play college football again.

A junior at the Division II level when his season was ended by the injury, Johnson was considered a senior under Division I rules, the rules to which Northridge’s football program must adhere beginning next fall when the Matadors debut at the I-AA level.

Division II rules ensure an athlete’s eligibility for an unlimited number of part-time semesters and 10 full-time semesters; Division I rules require athletes to complete four years of eligibility in an uninterrupted five-year period.

As a result, Johnson’s only hope of playing again hinged on a vote held Friday by a rules committee at the NCAA Convention in Dallas. He had to be pleased with the result.

The committee approved a proposal that eligibility will be determined by the rules of the division a school belonged to when an athlete enrolled.

Johnson was thrilled upon learning of the vote.

Seven other Northridge football players, including sack leader Angel Chavez and Saadite Green, the team’s leader in receiving yardage, also gained a final season of eligibility.

“I want to say congratulations to all my teammates,” Johnson said. “I’m real happy. I’m pumped up about getting back into competition because I’m a real competitive person.”

Johnson’s desire to play a final season was also fueled by his financial situation. Without another school year on a partial scholarship he would have had difficulty completing his education.

The retention of the eight players is a boon to CSUN’s depth in its first season at the I-AA level, as is another proposal approved Friday by the rules committee. Division I-A football players may transfer to I-AA schools without having to sit out a season.

The one-time transfer rule, as it is known, has always benefited Division II programs, such as Northridge’s.

Tailback Jamal Farmer transferred from Hawaii under the rule last season as did Green and wide receiver Victor Prince (from Cal State Fullerton), tight end Marlon McBride (from Texas El Paso) and offensive tackle Charlie Williams (from Houston).

Often, reserves in I-A programs have become standouts at Northridge and as of Friday that practice can continue in CSUN’s I-AA program.

In another development at the convention, Northridge changed the date of its game at Nevada Las Vegas from Sept. 11 to Oct. 9 so that the Matadors will not open with three consecutive games on the road.