CS Northridge Defense Gets Offensive in Scrimmage, 32-7

The defense dominated Cal State Northridge’s intrasquad football scrimmage Saturday, but it was difficult to determine if its success was primarily due to the offense’s inability to block, run and catch the ball.

In a 32-7 loss at North Campus Stadium, the offense was held to a two-yard touchdown run by tailback Robert Trice.

The defense scored one point each time it prevented a first down, three points for each fumble recovery and pass interception, and seven points for each interception return for a touchdown.

Linebacker O.J. Ojomoh, who missed last season because of academic ineligibility, returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown and newcomer Andre Andrews, a transfer from Mount San Jacinto College, returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown.

“When you’re playing behind veterans like Ralph (Henderson) and Vinnie (Johnson), you got to do something big or you’ll never get in again,” Andrews said.

Linebacker Penn Bushong made an interception and newcomer Jose Romero, a defensive lineman from Harbor College recovered a fumble.

The offense was held to 13 yards rushing and 97 yards passing. Quarterbacks Albert Razo and Rino Marconi each ran an offensive unit.

Razo, also the team’s punter, fumbled two snaps, completed five of 11 passes for 15 yards and had two passes intercepted.

“I’m just not used to doing it,” said Razo, who has not played quarterback since 1988 at La Habra High. “I didn’t adjust. I gotta react quicker and notice the defensive coverages.”

Projected starting quarterback Coley Kyman missed the game and most of spring practice because of his participation in the NCAA volleyball playoffs.

“Coley’s, by far, better than I am,” Razo said. “He’s a stud.”

Marconi, a redshirt freshman, completed 10 of 19 passes for 79 yards, including an 18-yard completion to newcomer Michael Gadomski, a tight end from Granada Hills High.

“We need a lot of work on offense and a lot of help on offense and we’ll find it this summer,” Northridge Coach Bob Burt said of recruiting efforts to sign offensive linemen and a junior college quarterback.

Linebacker Jose Aguilar led the defense with nine tackles and defensive end Victor Myles made two sacks for 17 yards in losses.

“We have so many returning (defensive) starters,” Aguilar said of the defense, which has seven returning regulars. “Everybody knows the system.”