CSUN Blows 16-0 Lead and Sacramento Steals Away With Title

At least the Cal State Northridge football team ended its season with a game to remember, though the Matadors won’t remember it the way they hoped.

The Matadors had a 16-point third-quarter lead and a share of the American West Conference title within reach Saturday night, but Cal State Sacramento rallied to win, 20-16, by scoring 20 points in four minutes and intercepting a pass in the end zone with six seconds left in the game at North Campus Stadium.

Instead of sharing their first championship in five years, the Matadors (2-8, 1-2 in conference play) finished with their worst record since 1974.

Sacramento (4-6-1, 3-0) is the outright champion of the AWC.

Northridge’s final drive began at its own 14 with 5 minutes 47 seconds left. Clayton Millis, who completed 32 of 54 passes for 328 yards in his last college game, moved the team down the field with no timeouts by throwing short passes.

The drive was extended with 15 seconds on the clock when Marvin Brown was called for pass interference on a fourth-down play. Brown atoned by intercepting Millis’ pass intended for Chris Love on the next play, sealing the victory.

“That was blatant interference,” Millis said of Brown’s interception. “It’s ridiculous. This is my last game and that was my last pass, and to go out like that really hurts.”

After trailing, 16-0, late in the third quarter, the Hornets scored three touchdowns in four minutes to take the lead.

Michael Stewart scored on an eight-yard run with 30 seconds left in the third quarter to make it 16-7.

The Hornets forced a Northridge fumble at the Matador 17, with Jaime Sandel recovering for Sacramento. After one Sacramento touchdown was called back because of a penalty, the Hornets scored on a 26-yard pass from Tony Corbin to Abe Snobar.

Northridge ran three plays and punted to Alex Estrada, who returned the kick 74 yards for the Hornets’ first special teams touchdown of the year.

The two-point conversion failed and Sacramento led, 20-16, with 12:10 remaining.

Northridge scored first for only the third time this season, taking a 7-0 lead when Millis hit Love with a 25-yard touchdown pass.

The Hornets had two second-quarter drives inside the Northridge 20 end with turnovers.

Sacramento drove to the 10 but Ken Vaughn’s halfback pass was picked off by Doug Varner.

The Hornets reached the 17 before Teddy Mack stripped the ball from Corbin’s hands and James Woods recovered.

Three plays later, Daniel Quinal took a short pass from Millis and went 45 yards for a touchdown.

The extra point failed and Northridge led, 13-0, at halftime.

The Matadors made it 16-0 when Matt Ornelaz kicked a 37-yard field goal in the third quarter.