Game Day

A look at the today’s key matchups

NCAA DIVISION I-AA

* CS NORTHRIDGE (5-4, 2-3) vs. IDAHO STATE (3-5, 1-4)

At Holt Arena, Pocatello, Idaho, 5:35 p.m. PST

As well as the season has been going for Cal State Northridge, it’s the opposite for Idaho State. The Bengals were picked to be the second-best team in the conference, possibly challenging Montana for the title, but lost two of their stars early in the season. Alfredo Anderson, who rushed for 1,192 yards in 1995, broke his left ankle and defensive back Marcus Jackson, touted as an NFL prospect, suffered a spinal injury and is partially paralyzed. In last week’s overtime loss to Northern Arizona, the Bengals played what Coach Brian McNeely called the team’s best game in five seasons. Idaho State defensive end Josh Hays (6 feet 2, 235 pounds) leads the Big Sky with 10 1/2 sacks. Freshman Shane Griggs has completed only 44% of his passes and has thrown 12 interceptions, but he’s one of the more mobile quarterbacks Northridge will see. Expect the Matadors to return to the blitzing defense they abandoned last week against Montana. Northridge Coach Dave Baldwin is worried about Idaho State’s defense, but probably not as worried as McNeely is about Northridge’s passing offense, which ranks third in Division I-AA with a 302.2-yard average. Aaron Flowers is 97 yards from breaking the Northridge single-season passing record. David Romines needs 12 receptions to break the Big Sky Conference single-season record. Linebacker Marc Goodson, who averages 13.3 tackles, needs 14 break Northridge’s record for a season. Northridge is 38th and Idaho State ranks 46th in the Division I-AA poll.

DIVISION III

* CAL LUTHERAN (3-4, 2-2) vs. WHITTIER COLLEGE (0-7, 0-3)

At Newman Memorial Stadium, Whittier, 7 p.m.

Cal Lutheran is back to square one after committing six turnovers in a 41-11 loss to Redlands last week. Fumbles have been a season-long trouble spot. The Kingsmen have fumbled 24 times, losing 15. “No matter what Whittier is doing, we have to beat CLU first,” Cal Lutheran Coach Scott Squires said. “We have to take care of our own problems.” Whittier is coming off a 20-0 loss to the University of San Diego, which beat the Kingsmen, 44-19, in the opener. The Kingsmen average 139.4 yards rushing to the Poets’ 142.6. Cal Lutheran ranks second in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with an average of 199.7 passing yards per game, while Whittier is fourth at 149.4. Cal Lutheran, which gives up 231.7 yards rushing per game, more than any team in the SCIAC, will have to stop Whittier’s Shaun Battles, who has rushed for 96.3 yards per game, second-best in the conference. The Poets use two quarterbacks, Bryan Perez and Russ Bumgarner. The Kingsmen will counter with Fredrik Nanhed, who has rushed for 428 yards, an average of 142.6, in three games since returning from an injury. Ryan Huisenga, who has shared time with Zack Hernandez, will be at quarterback for Cal Lutheran. Hernandez is questionable because of an ankle injury. The Kingsmen lead the series, 9-1.

JUNIOR COLLEGE

* MOORPARK (7-1, 4-0) vs. VALLEY (7-1, 4-0)

At Valley College, 7 p.m.

The winner will clinch at least a tie for the Western State Conference Southern Division title. Valley, ranked fourth in the state, is coming off a 52-0 victory over L.A. Southwest. Moorpark, ranked eighth, last week defeated Harbor, 48-6. Eric Ruhle needs seven receptions to claim the third spot in Valley’s all-time list. He has 41 catches this season and 79 in two years. Teammate Matt Kohl, who set a junior college national single-game record with 11 extra points against Pierce on Oct. 19, has 92 extra points in his career and is eight short of the national mark set by El Camino’s Dave Scanlon in 1994-95. Ivan McCrae, who has 438 yards rushing and nine touchdowns, and Bryan Wilkins, who has 407 yards and two touchdowns, lead Moorpark’s running attack.

* PIERCE (0-7, 0-2) vs. GLENDALE (3-4, 1-1)

At Glendale High, 1 p.m.

Glendale last week was dropped by Bakersfield, 36-14, and needs a victory to stay alive in the Northern Division race. The Brahmas have lost 15 consecutive games. Glendale’s Ramone Archie, who carried only five times against Bakersfield because of a bad ankle, should be ready to go. He has 711 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns. Pierce receiver Jermaine Brooks was one of the state players of the week after catching seven passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns in a 45-40 loss to Santa Barbara. Dan McMullen has passed for 1,034 yards and seven touchdowns. Glendale leads the series, 17-5, dating to 1955.

HIGH SCHOOL

* CHAMINADE (3-4-1, 1-2) vs. HARVARD-WESTLAKE (5-3, 2-1)

At Harvard-Westlake, 1:30 p.m.

Chaminade barely remains alive for a playoff spot, while Harvard-Westlake is third in the Mission League. Both teams rely on the run. Harvard-Westlake’s ground attack features Sam Hornblower, who has rushed for 904 yards and 13 touchdowns. Chaminade’s Steven Hoo has rushed for 876 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Matthew Markis has 577 yards and two touchdowns. Harvard emerged from last week’s 27-19 loss to St. Francis with several key players injured. Receiver Brent Pantell might be out for the season because of a separated shoulder. Pantell’s absence will limit the options of John Terzian, who has passed for 1,024 yards and five touchdowns. Steve Durbin of Harvard-Westlake has 26 receptions for 557 yards.

Other games:

Junior college: Foothill Conference--At 1 p.m., Citrus at Antelope

Valley; Western State Conference--At 1 p.m., Ventura at Santa Barbara.

High school, Southern Section: At 11 a.m., Victory League--Vasquez at Ribet. At 12:30 p.m., Pacific League--Glendale vs. Pasadena at Pasadena City College. At 2 p.m., Alpha League--L.A. Baptist at Marshall. At 7:30 p.m., Alpha League--Kilpatrick vs. Maranatha at San Marino High. Prep League--Webb vs. Flintridge Prep at St. Francis High. Santa Fe League--St. Genevieve vs. Bell-Jeff at Burroughs High. Tri-Valley League--Fillmore vs. Bishop Diego at Santa Barbara CC.

8-man: At 1 p.m., Viewpoint vs. L.A. Lutheran at L.A. Baptist High, Masada at Antelope Valley Christian, Victor Valley Christian at Lancaster Bethel Christian.