Millis Passes Test as Northridge Wins, 22-14 : College football: He replaces injured O’Laughlin and leads victory over San Luis Obispo in his second college start.

There was a joyous reunion at Mustang Stadium on Saturday night, one that had nothing to do with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s homecoming festivities.

Clayton Millis came home, and proved himself a winner.

Cal State Northridge, with quarterback J.J. O’Laughlin and defensive captain Victor Myles sidelined by injuries, downed San Luis Obispo, 22-14, in an American West Conference game before a crowd of 5,654.

Northridge (4-5, 1-2 in conference play) faltered in the fourth quarter during conference losses against Cal State Sacramento and UC Davis. Not so against the Mustangs.

The Matadors forced four fourth-quarter turnovers, including an interception by cornerback Vincent Johnson at the Northridge five-yard line with 2 minutes 1 second remaining in the game.

Brett Barnes accounted for both San Luis Obispo touchdowns on receptions of 27 and 60 yards, beating Johnson both times.

“Overall, I had a bad game. I feel I gave up 14 points,” Johnson said. “But I feel a lot better about it now. That interception was a long time overdue.”

Northridge, while by no means playing errorless--the Matadors had 105 yards in penalties--did not commit a turnover.

Millis, a sophomore making the second start of his collegiate career, completed 11 of 25 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown.

He was steady, though not spectacular, playing before a screaming contingent of family and friends.

Millis grew up in Arroyo Grande, about a 15-minute drive south of the San Luis Obispo campus. His father, Mark, formerly was mayor of the city.

In fact, Millis played his final high school game at Mustang Stadium. Arroyo Grande lost to Lompoc in the Southern Section Division VII championship game before the largest crowd in stadium history.

“It’s a great feeling,” Millis said. “I think I got a lot of respect back.”

He certainly earned the adulation of teammates.

“He’s the greatest quarterback in the history of the game,” O’Laughlin said, tongue planted firmly in cheek.

“Really, he did a great job. I’m happy for him. This was a special night for him.”

Tailback Robert Trice gained 187 yards and a touchdown in 33 carries and fullbacks Mark Harper (10 carries, 46 yards) and Shaun Coleman (eight for 45) helped keep the Mustangs off balance.

The Northridge offensive line kept the heat off Millis and on the Mustang defense.

“We want a .500 season,” tackle Charlie Williams said. “We got off the ball and did the job tonight.”

In addition to Johnson’s theft, Ralph Henderson had an interception and John Herrera and Angel Chavez recovered fumbles in the fourth quarter.

“The was the big key, the turnovers,” said linebacker Ivy Calvin, who swatted away the ball that Chavez picked up with 11 seconds left in the game.

Trice was held out of practice most of the week with an injured left big toe and sprained right ankle, but he wasted little time putting any concerns about his health to rest.

On the first play from scrimmage, he broke off a 23-yard run. Then, after a 25-yard punt return by David Romines gave the Matadors great field position for their second possession, Trice capped a 57-yard scoring drive with an 11- yard run.

San Luis Obispo struck back quickly, thanks to a long return of their own, plus a 15-yard penalty on Northridge.

Robbie Smith took the kickoff back 28 yards, from the 20 to the 48 and a personal foul on the Matadors moved the ball all the way to the Mustang 37.

Two runs by Jacques Jordan accounted for 10 yards, and quarterback Mike Fisher hooked up with Brett Barnes to cover the final 27 for a touchdown.

Shaun Coleman put Northridge in front with a punishing two-yard run through the heart of the San Luis Obispo defense. Matt Ornelaz was wide right on the conversion attempt, his third miss in four tries.

The Northridge defense set up the Matadors’ next touchdown, stuffing Fisher on a quarterback sneak on fourth and less than a yard at CSUN’s 44.

A 33-yard pass from Millis to Duc Ngo moved the ball to the Mustang 23 and three plays later came a landmark aerial.

After a short drop, Millis turned quickly to his left and hit Saadite Green on a slant pattern for seven yards and the quarterback’s first college touchdown pass.

Millis was sacked by Barney Zuber before he could attempt a pass for a two- point conversion, keeping the Mustangs within striking distance, 19-7.

Northridge’s only points of the second half came on a 19-yard field goal by Ornelaz with 5:45 left in the game.

Northridge Notes

For the second week in a row, Northridge employed a defensive lineup with Tim Gardner and Oscar Wilson as the only down linemen. The Matadors used five linebackers. . . . Victor Myles, Northridge’s defensive captain, sat out his second consecutive game with injuries to his right ankle. . . . Quarterback J.J. O’Laughlin was in uniform, but did not attempt a pass in pregame drills. . . . Chris Afarian, the conference’s top punter, kicked six times for a 42.8-yard average.