A Look at Today’s Key Matchups

NCAA DIVISION I-AA

* CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE (5-5, 3-3) vs. EASTERN WASHINGTON (9-1, 6-1)

At Woodward Stadium, Cheney, Wash., 1:05 p.m.

Eastern Washington, ranked sixth by the Sports Network, can claim the Big Sky Conference championship outright. But a loss gives Montana State a chance to tie the Eagles for first place and snatch the automatic bid to the 16-team Division I-AA playoffs because the Bobcats beat Eastern Washington, 17-7, on Oct. 4. The Eagles have a bye next week; Montana State is at Cal State Sacramento tonight and plays host to Montana next week. “We don’t want anybody to have part of our trophy,” said Mike Kramer, Eastern Washington’s coach. The Eagles last week knocked Northern Arizona from contention, 31-14, at Flagstaff. It was their fifth consecutive victory and moved them a step closer to winning 10 or more games for only the second time in school history. They finished 11-1 in 1967 as an NAIA member. The Eagles are top-ranked in offense in I-AA at 504.7 yards per game and are particularly strong on the ground, averaging 226.5 yards rushing. Northridge is allowing 379.8 yards per game, including 173.8 yards rushing. Senior Rex Prescott, who leads the Big Sky with 1,284 yards rushing, and junior Mike MacKenzie, who has 732 yards, ignite Eastern Washington’s running game. Senior Harry Leons, who has 2,297 yards passing and 18 touchdowns, ranks fourth in I-AA in passing efficiency with a 174.37 rating. The Eagles are no slouches on defense, allowing a Big Sky-best 293.4 yards per game.

NCAA DIVISION III

* CLAREMONT-MUDD (0-8, 0-4) vs. CAL LUTHERAN (4-4, 3-1)

At Mt. Clef Stadium, Thousand Oaks, 1 p.m.

Cal Lutheran can reach several milestones by winning the season-ending Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game. The Kingsmen, tied with Redlands and Whittier for first place in the SCIAC, can finish in a tie for their first conference title. Cal Lutheran can finish over .500 for the first time since 1993 and only the third in 12 years. Both teams are coming off nonconference losses, Cal Lutheran a 23-16 defeat at Chapman, Claremont-Mudd a 74-7 beating at the hands of Pomona-Pitzer. Leading rusher Gavin Slader averages under 30 yards per game for the Stags, who rank last in the conference on defense, surrendering an average of 478 yards. Cal Lutheran’s Zack Hernandez has completed 94 of 151 passes and had only four intercepted. He has thrown for nine touchdowns. Tim Kirksey has 46 receptions for 827 yards and nine touchdowns. Tight end Ernie Foli has 33 catches for 382 yards and two touchdowns. Dorian Stitt averages almost 64 yards rushing.

JUNIOR COLLEGE

* SANTA MONICA (4-4, 1-2) vs. VALLEY (5-3, 1-2)

At Valley, 7 p.m.

Valley’s string of four consecutive bowl-game appearances is in jeopardy. The Monarchs, who have gone 10-1 each of the past three seasons, need victories this week and next week over Moorpark to finish 3-2 in the Western State Conference Southern Division and have a chance for a bowl bid. Valley must contend with Dylen Smith of Santa Monica, the WSC’s top-ranked passer. Smith, who has thrown for 2,124 yards and 18 touchdowns, had a school-record 39 completions while passing for 405 yards and three touchdowns last week in a 38-36 loss to Moorpark. Smith’s favorite target is Eugene Sykes, who has 50 receptions for 557 yards and 10 touchdowns. Valley’s pass defense ranks 11th among WSC teams. The Monarchs’ offense, however, remains among the state’s most prolific. Tom Racius ranks second in the WSC with 2,120 yards passing and 15 touchdowns. Randall Lane is tied for the WSC lead in receptions with 57 and has 919 receiving yards.

* GLENDALE (1-7, 1-2) vs. PIERCE (0-8, 0-3)

At Pierce, 7 p.m.

All bad things must come to an end--including Pierce’s 26-game losing streak. This WSC Northern Division game might be the Brahmas’ best chance this season to win for the first time since September 1995, when Pierce defeated West L.A., 26-19. Despite losing, Pierce has moved the ball through the air and has been competitive in most games. Dan McMullen returned last week from a hip injury and passed for 359 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-33 loss to Santa Barbara. The Vaqueros rely on Darrell Durham, who ranks third in the conference with 984 yards rushing. Glendale might be without its best blocker, 6-foot-6, 280-pound tackle Jim Ghezzi, a transfer from Villanova, who has a strained back.

* ANTELOPE VALLEY (6-2, 5-1) vs. SAN BERNARDINO VALLEY (6-2, 5-1)

At San Bernardino Valley, 7 p.m.

The winner will take sole possession of first place in the Foothill Conference. Antelope Valley has won four in a row, thanks to consistency at quarterback and the running of Lafayette Bailey. Freshman Brad Norris from Quartz Hill High has assumed the starting position after splitting time for much of the season with Michael Gleich. Norris completed all 13 of his passes two weeks ago against Chaffey and has passed for 600 yards and five touchdowns. Bailey ranks second in the Foothill Conference in rushing with 720 yards and nine touchdowns. San Bernardino has not lost to the Marauders since a 7-0 decision at Antelope Valley in 1991. The Indians have the conference’s top-ranked defense.

* MOORPARK (4-4, 2-1) vs. HARBOR (4-4, 0-3)

At San Bernardino Valley, 7 p.m.

Moorpark edged Santa Monica, 38-36, last week to keep its postseason hopes alive. The Raiders are ranked fifth in WSC defense but the Raiders must contend with one of the conference’s best offenses and Jack Hawley, who ranks third in the WSC with 1,902 yards passing. Mark Pappas is tied for the conference lead with 57 catches. Pappas was selected WSC player of the week last week after catching 11 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to West L.A. Moorpark’s Carl Richardson rushed for 107 yards and three touchdowns against Santa Monica to raise his season totals to 656 yards and seven touchdowns.

* SANTA BARBARA (4-4, 1-2) vs. VENTURA (1-7, 1-2)

At Ventura, 1 p.m.

Aside from the performance of Brandon Scott, who leads the WSC in rushing, it has been a forgettable season for Ventura. Scott rushed for 82 yards last week in a 35-28 loss to Hancock to raise his season total to 1,064 yards. Scott also leads the conference with 1,202 all-purpose yards, but he has scored only five touchdowns. Santa Barbara’s offense revolves around Anthony Ramos, who has passed for 1,450 yards and nine touchdowns.