With Trick, a Matador Treat

They worked on the play several times in practice last week and it paid off Saturday.

Cal State Northridge pulled off a pooch kickoff late in the third quarter, after Marcus Brady combined with Anthony Ramos on a 23-yard pass play for the final score in the Matadors’ 26-10 Big Sky Conference victory at Weber State.

Manny Marquez kicked to the right sideline, where Gil Rodriguez snagged the free ball out of the air at the Weber State 37.

“Our tendency is to kick it deep left,” said Rodriguez, a junior wide receiver. “We thought we’d surprise them.”

The Matadors couldn’t capitalize on their Halloween day trickery. They turned over the ball on a fumble five plays later.

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Because of Northridge’s depth at wide receiver, senior Drew Hill was having a quiet season, entering Saturday’s game with 20 receptions, third on the team.

But against Weber State, Hill had a game-high 10 receptions for 92 yards, mostly on crossing routes and quick slants. His previous best was five catches for 49 yards against Cal State Sacramento.

“I guess I just got into a rhythm,” Hill said.

Last season, Hill was second on the team with 69 receptions.

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Steady rain Thursday night turned Weber State’s Stewart Stadium into a soggy mess. The conditions prompted Matador coaches to think about Northridge’s North Campus Stadium.

“We were talking about it with [Wildcat Coach] Jerry [Graybeal] before the game,” said Jeff Kearin, Northridge’s assistant head coach. “Who’s got the worst field?”

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The Matadors are holding a food drive Saturday when they host Portland State in the season’s final home game. Any fan who brings two or more nonperishable food items will receive one free ticket.