Pace on Sideline Following Surgery for Torn ACL

Linebacker Franck Pace stood on crutches on the Northridge sideline, watching his teammates play for the second time without him this season.

And not for the last.

Pace, a senior nicknamed Frenchie because he was born in Toulon, France, had surgery on Monday to repair torn ligaments in his left knee. He was injured in the first quarter against Hawaii at Aloha Stadium on Sept. 6.

“They replaced the ACL [anterior cruciate ligament] but left the MCL [medial cruciate ligament] alone,” said Pace, who is using a medical redshirt. “They took a ligament out of my hamstring to replace the ACL.”

Pace said he will start rehabilitating the knee Monday.

“What they are going to try to accomplish is get me off of the crutches as soon as possible,” Pace said. “They say it could take up to a year to be 100%.”

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Senior defensive tackle Gregg Leyone made the first start of his Northridge career against Azusa Pacific.

Leyone, from Ukiah, Calif., replaced senior Ronald Aumua, who is nursing an injured elbow and was rested.

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Going into the game, Northridge led Big Sky Conference teams in attendance, averaging 25,553 in games at Boise State, Hawaii and New Mexico State.

That average fell considerably on Saturday, but not for lack of interest by fans.

A crowd of 4,927 showed up at North Campus Stadium, which holds 7,500, for the Matador opener against Azusa Pacific, an NAIA school.

The Matadors are now averaging 18,896 spectators.

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The Matadors had not scored in the first quarter this season until reeling off 29 consecutive points Saturday night.