CSUN Shores Up Defense

The Cal State Northridge football team has added some of the defensive help it desperately needs.

Mark Venturine, a former starter at Oregon State, and three others have enrolled at Northridge, the school announced Tuesday.

Venturine, 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, was a starting cornerback for Oregon State his freshman and junior seasons. The senior from Burbank is expected to earn a spot in Northridge’s lineup as a defensive back and a kick returner.

The Matadors (4-6 last season) also have added three junior college transfers.

Linebackers Michael Greslie II and Joseph Pierro are attending classes at Northridge. Alberto Contreras, another linebacker, said last week he was joining the Matadors.

Greslie (6-3, 225) and Contreras (6-0, 233) played for Valley College last season. Pierro (6-1, 215) played for Fresno City College.