Happy Warriors : College football: Northridge might not have its deepest team, or its most talented, but the Matadors <i> have </i> displayed a cheerful unity.

Hang around the Cal State Northridge football team enough and it becomes clear that these are happy guys, free of the bad attitudes and bickering that spoiled last season.

It is such an harmonious group, you almost expect to see them join hands and sing “We are family.”

The question the Matadors will begin to answer when they open their season Saturday against Menlo College is: just how far can smiles and good intentions get you in college football?

Can it help you win?

The Matadors certainly hope so.

This, after all, is a team so shallow in talent that first-year Coach Dave Baldwin is limiting full-contact practice to twice a week to avoid injuries to his starters.

It’s a team that began camp with only six players who were full-time starters on last year’s 3-7 team. And because of injuries and grade problems, the number may be down to three by kickoff Saturday.

It’s a team that has so many new faces, coaches occasionally get caught calling them by their numbers.

“I think the talent is probably a little down,” said quarterback Clayton Millis, “but the difference is the teamwork and family atmosphere. I think that can catapult a team.”

That’s what Baldwin is counting on.

When Baldwin was hired in May, after five winning seasons at Santa Barbara City College and Santa Rosa Junior College, he brought the exuberance of a coach leading a four-year school for the first time and a new pass-oriented offense.

The adjustment has been slow, but Millis, who is 6 feet 5, 216 pounds and a veteran of three starts in four collegiate seasons, said he finally feels comfortable with the new scheme, which emphasizes quick, short passes.

“I feel really good,” he said. “Every practice I feel a little better.”

Millis will have a host of receivers to choose from in Baldwin’s offense, but the best may not be among them. Senior David Romines and Baldwin will decide Tuesday if Romines will spend the season as a redshirt. Romines, who had 44 catches and led the American West Conference with 870 yards receiving last year, might need surgery on his left shoulder.

If Romines is gone, the pressure might fall on senior Chris Love, a transfer from Washington State. Love (6-4, 201) has size and speed that appeal to Baldwin, but he has been hampered by a knee injury.

Junior Tim Hilton, a transfer from Glendale College, also has been impressive, but all of the receivers are likely to have a few balls thrown their way in an offense that features at least three--and often four or five--men downfield on every play.

Baldwin didn’t initially figure to call many running plays, but he has been swayed by the play of his fullbacks: senior Darren Walton, junior Chad Marsalek and senior Tom Merrill.

Walton, a returning starter, gained 301 yards in 59 carries last year, but his academic eligibility is in question until Wednesday when he meets with an instructor to discuss a summer-school grade.

Merrill (6-1, 270) is a converted linebacker who has been bowling over would-be tacklers in practice. Marsalek played for Baldwin at Santa Barbara, so he understands the offense better than most on the team.

On offense, the line is the Matadors’ biggest question mark. All five players, who average 6-2, 267, are new.

On defense, the Matadors’ only returning full-time starters are junior safety James Woods, Northridge’s second-leading tackler last year, and senior safety Jim Rose. A third returning starter, linebacker Joe Pierro, was declared ineligible last week.

Linebackers Richard Pesti and Andy Rose, and linemen Anthony Fernandez and Virgil Nelson also played last year.

The defensive scheme, like the offense, will be an attacking one in which the Matadors take risks with the hope of making big plays, Baldwin said. Northridge will use five defensive backs in most situations.

The strongest unit on defense is probably the line of Nelson, Fernandez, sophomore Larry Urzua and junior Seepoleto Imo.

Northridge’s cornerbacks are all inexperienced. Freshman Bryant Eubanks and junior college transfer Doug Varner will be asked to learn on the job.

Perhaps the most-accomplished player on Northridge’s roster is senior Matt Ornelaz, the Matadors’ top kicker for the third consecutive season. Ornelaz, an all-conference pick last year, impressed coaches by making a 53-yard field goal in the team’s first intrasquad scrimmage.

Despite all the deficiencies, Northridge’s schedule is sprinkled with teams the Matadors have a reasonable shot at beating.

Menlo, a Division III team, was 2-7 last year. Western New Mexico and UC Davis are Division II teams.

And among American West Conference teams, Cal State Sacramento is in a position similar to that of Northridge. The Hornets, who edged the Matadors 23-22 last year, needed a referendum to save football last spring, and they have a new coach and a roster full of new players.

The toughest opponents will be Northern Arizona, Idaho State and conference favorite Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Unfortunately for Northridge, all three games are on the road.