Big Sky’s the Limit for Brady and His Northridge Bunch

Eyebrows were lifted and the snickering started the moment Marcus Brady was chosen Cal State Northridge’s starting quarterback for 1998.

Surely first-year Coach Ron Ponciano wasn’t serious about handing over the team’s intricate run-and-shoot offense to a redshirt freshman, at least not from the first game.

It would be, some probably reasoned, like giving a teenager the keys to a new car and hoping it comes back in one piece.

But the more Ponciano and his staff watched Brady practice and play in intrasquad scrimmages, the more they liked his ability and maturity.

Their assessment proved correct. Brady returned the car washed and polished.

Brady, from Morse High in San Diego, confidently stepped into his role and produced one of the most prolific seasons for a Northridge quarterback. He passed for 2,983 yards and 26 touchdowns, each the third-highest season total in school history, and he set a Northridge season record with 256 completions.

“Without question, he was the best quarterback in the [Big Sky Conference] and one of the best in Division I-AA,” Ponciano said. “He’s part of that new breed of quarterback who’s an exceptional athlete and can make [defenders] miss.

“The difference with Marcus is he’s also an extremely accurate passer.”

In All-Big Sky voting, coaches selected Montana’s Brian Ah Yat first-team quarterback and Brady top newcomer. But many coaches raved about Brady, whose .679 passing percentage is a Northridge season and career best.

Although relatively quiet and undemonstrative, Brady’s leadership grew with every snap, with every mad scramble to save flesh and bone or to create opportunities.

His toughness was never questioned after being sacked five times and battered mercilessly in Northridge’s 26-13 season-opening loss at Boise State, and his durability was remarkable.

Brady, 6 feet 1 and 185 pounds, played virtually every down, guiding Northridge (7-4, 5-3 in conference play) to the threshold of the Big Sky championship. The Matadors saw the title slip away in a season-ending upset loss at Idaho State, finishing one game behind first-place Montana.

“I’m my biggest critic. I always think I can do better,” Brady said. “Toward the end of the season, I started to feel real comfortable out there. Of course, I wish it would have ended better.”

The Division I-AA Matadors are reloading for next season with talented recruits and I-A transfers, and Brady figures prominently in the blueprints. He’s already setting the bar to the maximum height.

“I think we’ll be in the race for a national championship next season,” Brady said. “I see us winning the Big Sky championship and in the playoffs for sure.”