Players Boycott Practice but It’s a Mystery : Northridge football: No reason given by dozen or so participants, who are planning next step; Coach Burt perplexed by latest development.

In another peculiar development in a season punctuated by distraction and disappointment, a handful of Cal State Northridge football players boycotted practice Tuesday for undisclosed reasons.

At least a dozen players skipped practice without informing Coach Bob Burt of the particulars of the decision, leaving their status for Saturday game against Northern Arizona up in the air.

Boycotting players were scheduled to meet late Tuesday night to discuss what happens next, according to sophomore defensive back James (Scoody) Woods, one of the players who didn’t attend practice.

“We haven’t decided what the next move is,” Woods said. “We need to get together before we say anything. . . . We have reasons, but we aren’t going to voice them right now.”

Most of the missing players are from the defense, which held a lengthy meeting with coaches after practice Monday. Players aired grievances over a number of issues, including coaching.

“That’s part of it, but not all of it,” Woods said. “There’s just some things here that we agreed shouldn’t be going on. It’s going to all work out.”

Among the players who missed practice were several key starters, including defensive backs Joseph Vaughn, co-captain Vinnie Johnson and Woods; linebackers John Herrera and Tony Simon; and running backs Mark Harper and Shaun Coleman.

Running back Darren Walton, expected to start at tailback for the first time Saturday, defensive back Robert Crosby, linebackers Arnie Madrid and Miguel Cerna, and defensive lineman Tim Gardner also were absent.

Last season, the team boycotted practice on the Monday before a nonconference game against Nevada Las Vegas. Players cited their growing dissatisfaction with the level of funding for the cost-containment program. No players were suspended or benched.

Burt guessed the boycott Tuesday was as much a part of the team’s growing frustration--Northridge has lost three games in a row--as anything. Northridge was bombed, 45-20, last weekend by Southern Utah and fell to 3-5 overall.

Normally, players who miss practice without authorization would not start, Burt said.

The Northridge secondary Tuesday consisted of junior cornerback Jim Rose and two freshmen who are redshirting--not enough players to field a team. Emile Williams and Robert Camacho, who have yet to play in a college game, would use a year of eligibility if they play.

Burt seemed mystified at the latest distraction for the Matadors. The team already has had to cope with the defeat of a controversial student-fee referendum that might result in the program’s elimination, and a starting player was charged with attempted murder.

Burt said he learned of the walkout shortly before practice Tuesday, then received confirmation after conferring with some of the 43 players in attendance.

“I’m sure I’ll find out when they tell me what the reasons are,” Burt said. “I honestly don’t know.”

At least one player who boycotted practice has questioned the action taken by his peers.

“I’m not sure what’s going on,” Crosby said Tuesday night. “There’s a lot of frustration right now and I’m trying to figure this out myself. But there was a consensus and I went along with it.”

Players who attended practice also were at a loss to explain the absence of their mates.

“I don’t know what to think--I don’t know enough to have an impression,” said a player who asked not to be identified. “I’m not sure anybody knows much about this. I’d just like to know, why now, and for what reason?”

At any rate, it marked another jarring pothole on a tortuous road for the Matadors.

“If it’s not one thing, it’s another,” the player said. “Welcome to Northridge.”