CSUN’s Game Not to Plan

The suspension of Cal State Northridge running backs Jahi Arnold, Norman Clarke and Marcus Harvey by Coach Jim Fenwick for the first half of the game at New Mexico State on Saturday was plenty costly.

“It totally messed up our game plan,” Fenwick said.

Clarke, a senior who last year led the Matadors with 690 yards rushing, and Arnold, a senior transfer from Iowa State, have shared most of the ball-carrying load. Harvey also has been in the mix. But the trio was suspended for breaking curfew Friday night.

“It was something I had to do,” Fenwick said.

Junior Geoff Snowden started at running back for the Matadors and carried nine times for 46 yards, all in the first half. But after Snowden fumbled at the conclusion of a 25-yard gain in the second quarter, the Matadors passed on 16 of their next 17 plays.

By the numbers: Northridge quarterback Aaron Flowers ranks second in Division I-AA in total offense at 374.7 yards per game and is 10th in passing efficiency with a 165.23 rating. He has completed 82 of 124 passes for 1,157 yards and nine touchdowns with two interceptions.

Aaron Arnold ranks seventh in receiving yards with an average of 126.7 per game, and Brian Comer ranks sixth in receptions per game at 8.7.

Head wound: The Matadors didn’t suffer any serious injuries in the 28-18 loss at New Mexico State on Saturday but came away hurting anyway.

“A lot of bruised egos,” Fenwick said.

Off pace: Linebacker Franck Pace on Monday had knee surgery for torn ligaments in his left knee and is out for the season.

Pace, a 6-foot, 215-pound senior, was injured in Northridge’s 34-21 loss at Hawaii on Sept. 6.