Northridge Feasts on Cream Puff Menlo, 45-2 : College football: Baldwin benefits from Hiegert’s scheduling in his first game as Matador coach against Division III Oaks, but he recognizes pitfalls in the road ahead.

Although Bob Hiegert was fired as Cal State Northridge athletic director in July, on Saturday night the Matador football team opened a gift he left:

Menlo College.

In Northridge’s first game under Coach Dave Baldwin, the Matadors hammered Division III Menlo, 45-2, in front of 2,236 at North Campus Stadium.

Northridge wound up facing Menlo because Hiegert had to wait until after the fee referendum in the spring before he could make the schedule. And by then, few teams were available.

The Matadors, who won their first opener in seven years, dominated Menlo, outgaining the Oaks, 490 yards to 74.

Northridge had 35 first downs, Menlo only 11.

It was the Matadors’ most-lopsided victory since a 48-0 pounding of San Francisco State in 1988.

“I was extremely pleased to win the football game,” Baldwin said, “but we are a long way from being a I-AA team that can beat [upcoming opponents] Idaho State, Northern Arizona or Southwest Texas.”

Much was made of Baldwin’s new offense, which the coach said is heavy on ball-control passing, but the Matadors were successful on the ground because of a size and strength advantage on the line of scrimmage.

Chad Marsalek, who played for Baldwin at Santa Barbara City College, ran for 118 yards in nine carries.

Darren Walton, a returning starter whose academic eligibility was in question until Friday, did not start, but he came in midway through the second quarter. He gained 66 yards in eight carries and scored two touchdowns.

Clayton Millis completed 11 of 24 passes for 111 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception.

Backup quarterback Derek Brown came on in the third quarter and hit seven of 10 passes for 76 yards. Northridge scored touchdowns on both drives he led.

Menlo couldn’t stop Northridge, but the Matadors stopped themselves several times.

Northridge also was penalized 20 times for 206 yards. The Matadors had an 85-yard punt return for a touchdown by Tim Hilton called back because of holding.

They also were called for holding on two extra-point attempts. When Northridge tried to kick again, one attempt was blocked and another sailed wide.

Matador kicker Matt Ornelaz had another extra-point attempt blocked and returned by Lelan Kalua for a rare defensive two-point conversion, giving Menlo its only score.

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Matador Notes

Spectators in the Northridge athletic administrators’ box winced every time an extra-point attempt smacked into the Matadors’ new, state-of-the-art scoreboard. A net was supposed to be hung to protect the scoreboard, but it is not up yet. After one kick hit the board, the word “Ouch” flashed in the message area.