Northridge Breaks Down on Road Again

Cal State Northridge certainly presented itself with ample opportunity Saturday. The problem was it didn’t reflect on the scoreboard.

The Matadors could not take advantage of four first-half turnovers by Southwest Texas State and fell, 43-14, in front of 3,814 at Bobcat Stadium. It was their third consecutive loss and sixth in a row on the road.

The Matadors (1-3) have surrendered 163 points in their three losses.

Northridge had only 52 yards on the ground but Clayton Millis completed 24 of 36 passes for 236 yards.

Millis scored on a one-yard sneak and threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Chris Love.

“Clayton did one hell of a job and moved the football,” Northridge Coach Dave Baldwin said. “I’m happy with the job he did.

“I’m disappointed in the outcome But, I think we’re coming. We were a few plays away. We really thought we could win this game.”

While the Northridge defense forced four turnovers in the first 30 minutes, the offense managed only 97 yards and the Matadors trailed, 10-0, at intermission.

Coming off a 65-point output last week in a victory over Southern Utah, the Bobcats (2-3) also struggled in the first half but were able to put some points on the board.

The Matadors fumbled on their second possession and Matt Ornelaz had a 30-yard field-goal attempt blocked after a high snap on their next possession.

“I thought we played a great first half,” said Matador Coach Dave Baldwin. “We missed some opportunities offensively and that hurt us. Our defense came up with some great plays.”

Northridge couldn’t keep up the defensive intensity in the second half and the Bobcats scored five touchdowns and rolled up 480 yards for the game.

“They are a great team,” Baldwin said. “They have the better athletes, and they have a nice offensive scheme. But, their defense kept us on edge as far as the big play goes. You keep waiting for something to happen.

“I thought the difference in the second half was their special teams. Their special teams set up their offense with great field position and that really hurt us.”

Freshman defensive back Bryant Eubanks came up with Northridge’s first interception of the season in the first half and added another in the second half.

Southwest Texas defeated Northridge, 28-23, last season in their first meeting.