Not Such a Laugher for Matadors

You just knew it would be a night to keep the record book handy.

But a medical chart on quarterback Aaron Flowers? Cal State Northridge wasn’t counting on its worst fears coming true.

The Matadors demolished little Azusa Pacific, 63-21, setting a host of team records in a nonconference game Saturday night at North Campus Stadium.

But all of them lost some of their luster when Flowers, Northridge’s record-setting passer, went out in the second half with a hairline fracture of his right leg.

“We’ll re-X-ray next week,” Coach Jim Fenwick said. “Thank God we’ve got a bye next week and thank God Josh Fiske is playing real well.”

Flowers, Northridge’s career passing leader, had 26 completions in 42 passes for 382 yards and five touchdowns. He had two interceptions.

Fiske was seven of 11 for 123 yards and one touchdown in his second appearance of the season. He might be in line for a few more.

The Matadors (2-2) dominated from the outset, putting up a few team records or tying others in the process. Here’s a sampling:

* The 63 points tied the single-game record set in a 63-23 victory over Boise State in the opener on Aug. 30.

* The point total was a new high for the Matadors at North Campus Stadium.

* Most yards at the stadium, 660.

Oh, yes, there was even a record established for most yawns by the Matador partisans among the 4,927 gathered at the stadium for Northridge’s home opener.

By halftime, the mismatch was so out of hand that only the most bloodthirsty in attendance were still rooting for more.

But that’s what happens when a Division I-AA program that’s fast becoming one of the best asks a bunch of outskilled NAIA fellows over for a little football.

“That was about as good of an offense that exists in double-A football,” said Coach Vic Shealy of Azusa Pacific (0-3).

The rout spoiled the return to the Valley of senior running back Elijah Raphael, the former Kennedy High and Valley College standout who in only 12 games with Azusa Pacific has become one of the school’s all-time best. Raphael carried 13 times for 82 yards to give him 1,600, sixth on the Cougar list.

Northridge rebounded from consecutive losses at Hawaii and New Mexico State by gaining 505 yards passing and 155 yards on the ground. Seven players carried for the Matadors and 11 caught passes.

The leading receiver for Northridge on yardage was senior Jerome Henry, in his second game after returning from a stress fracture in his right lower leg. Henry had four receptions for 105 yards and two touchdowns.

“I was looking to come back with a little fire,” said Henry, who played briefly last week. “I’m still rehabbing, so I still got some work to do. . . . I know I’m a little slower ‘cause I got caught [from behind] tonight.”

That came early in the third quarter, when Henry and Flowers hooked up on a 48-yard pass play to the Azusa Pacific eight, where strong safety Scott Thomas caught up with Henry.

It was one of the few highlights for the Cougars.

Marcus Harvey had 53 yards in eight carries and an 11-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to close out Northridge’s scoring. He also had 115 yards on four kick returns.

Senior Norman Clarke had 11 carries for 47 yards and Jahi Arnold added 36 yards in eight carries.

“We came in just playing our game,” said Northridge defensive end Dan Lazarovits. “We didn’t want to beat ourselves and that’s the way we are going to dominate in conference.

“This was a big game to sharpen up our offense and defense.”

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Northridge 63 / Azusa Pacific 21

BIG SKY RESULTS

Eastern Washington 31

Portland State 14

*

Montana 35

St. Mary’s 14

*

Boise State 24

Weber State 7

*

UC Davis 36

Sacramento State 28

*

Northern Arizona 40

Minnesota-Duluth 6

*

Southwest Texas State 28

Montana State 26

Big Sky Roundup, C17