Big Sky Falls on Northridge in 52-0 Setback

Playing in a small, indoor stadium in which noise can become a nuisance for a visiting team, the Cal State Northridge football team needed to take the crowd out of the game.

The Matadors succeeded, but not exactly the way they had hoped.

By the third quarter Saturday night, the 6,347 Idaho State fans in Holt Arena were sitting on their hands, yawning, waiting for the end of the Bengals’ 52-0 nonconference rout of Northridge so they could get on the field for autographs.

The most excitement was generated by a remote-control-operated blimp that flew around the arena dropping coupons for pizza.

Idaho State (2-0) is a member of the Big Sky Conference, to which Northridge (1-1) has applied for membership.

It was Northridge’s worst shutout loss since a 56-0 defeat at Cal State Los Angeles on Nov. 20, 1965. Northridge had not been shut out since it moved to Division I-AA in 1993.

“We knew we weren’t going to go 10-0,” Northridge Coach Dave Baldwin said. “If you thought we were going to go 10-0, I’d like to know what you are smoking. Give me some.”

Northridge’s problem was that its anemic offense forced the defense onto the field too often in bad field position. The Matadors gained just 117 yards and had the ball for only 20 minutes 27 seconds.

“I think it was frustrating because we were doing well all week in practice,” said quarterback Clayton Millis. “I thought they just put a lot of pressure on us.”

Millis completed five of 13 passes for 29 yards in a little more than a half, missing two possessions after he had the wind knocked out of him in the second quarter.

Derek Brown completed two of 10 passes for 19 yards in relief of Millis. Chad Marsalek led Northridge with 49 yards rushing.

Baldwin blamed himself for the offensive problems, saying he might have asked too much of his players in learning a complicated new offense in such a short time.

“We were doing too much,” he said. “I think we have to tone it down.”

Idaho State’s offense had no such problems. The Bengals, ranked 25th in one I-AA poll and 31st in another, amassed 488 yards. Alfredo Anderson ran for 132 yards in less than three quarters.

“It’s pretty disappointing because we didn’t feel this team was that much better than us,” said CSUN linebacker Richard Pesti.

The game started promisingly enough for the Matadors. On Idaho State’s second play from scrimmage, Anderson ran 19 yards but fumbled after a hard hit by James Woods. Northridge recovered but could not take advantage.

Northridge blew another opportunity on its next possession, when Marsalek fumbled at the Bengal 38.

After that, Idaho State stopped toying with the Matadors.

Craig Joseph scored on a 10-yard run to give the Bengals a 7-0 lead with 4 minutes 22 seconds to play in the first quarter.

Idaho State scored on fourth and 10 from the Northridge 36 when Robb Wetta rolled left and hit Elliott Giles in the end zone.

Northridge gave the Bengals a score when punt returner Tim Hilton called for a fair catch but let the ball bounce off his chest into the hands of Idaho State’s Eric Johnson at the Northridge 16, setting up a score two plays later.

Idaho State went into the locker room with a 28-0 lead after Anderson scored on a 15-yard run with 45 seconds to play in the half, capping a 93-yard drive.

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Matador Notes

The defensive highlight of the game for Northridge was when several Matador tacklers converged on Alfredo Anderson so hard that his helmet popped off. They also forced two fumbles from the standout tailback. . . . Idaho State was picked by coaches and media to finish fifth in the eight-team Big Sky Conference.