NCAA DIVISION I-AA

SOUTHERN UTAH (1-2) vs. CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE (2-1)

At North Campus Stadium, 3:05 p.m.

Radio: KCSN-FM (88.5)

Just when Northridge’s bewildered defense believed it had seen it all, along comes Southern Utah with its multiple-option attack, the one that averages 317.3 yards rushing. The Thunderbirds spread their linemen wider than the Grand Canyon, giving quarterback Matt Cannon and his backs huge gaps to dash through. Cannon, a sophomore, ranks 10th in rushing in Division I-AA at 140.3 yards a game. The Matadors can take solace, however, in knowing that fullback Brook Madsen remains sidelined with a broken arm incurred Sept. 12 in a 45-35 victory over Montana, then ranked No. 3. Madsen last season rushed for 1,214 yards. Another positive for Northridge is that Southern Utah fumbles a lot (11 times, eight lost) and can’t--or won’t--throw. The Thunderbirds have completed 12 of 44 passes for 208 yards and no touchdowns. They’re not swift at defending the pass, either, allowing 273.3 yards a game. That’s about what Northridge’s freshman quarterback Marcus Brady averages. Brady, who offensive coordinator Rob Phenicie says is beginning to really grasp Northridge’s run-and-shoot scheme, last week led the Matadors to a 38-35 victory over Eastern Washington. Brady has passed for 807 yards and seven touchdowns, and ranks sixth in I-AA passing efficiency with a 160.4 rating. The Matadors might benefit more from a ball-control attack than quick hits through the air to keep Southern Utah’s offense off the field. That means the offensive line needs to give running room to Brady, an option threat, and Melvin Blue. The senior transfer from Utah State is averaging 80.0 yards rushing and hasn’t had one longer than 21 yards. Southern Utah’s losses came against No. 2-ranked McNeese State, 66-17, and last week to No. 11 Western Illinois, 31-3. Northridge defeated the Thunderbirds, 34-28, in 1995 to even the series, 5-5.

JUNIOR COLLEGE

* EAST L.A. (1-1) vs. CANYONS (2-1)

At Canyons, 7 p.m.

Injuries continue to mount for Canyons, which rallied for a dramatic 50-46 victory last week against Compton in its first home game in 17 years. Tackle Travis Knowles, among the team’s best lineman, tore ligaments in his left knee against Compton and is sidelined indefinitely. Linebacker Joe Dunster is recovering from a concussion and will not play. Freshman Peter Dirksen, the front-runner among three quarterbacks, remains sidelined because of a knee injury suffered two weeks ago. Kevin Carrasco, hobbled by a sprained finger on his passing hand, was selected Western State Conference player of the week after passing for 246 yards and two touchdowns against Compton. Jason Parks, fourth in the WSC in rushing with 293 yards and four touchdowns, has been the Cougars’ offensive spark. Larry Anglin of East L.A. has rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown.

* PIERCE (0-3) vs. COMPTON (0-2)

At Compton, 1 p.m.

With Pierce’s roster hovering in the high 30s, second-half fatigue plagues the Brahmas, whose losing streak has reached 31 games. “No matter what kind of shape our guys are in, we’re going to be tired in the second half,” Coach Bill Norton said. The schedule does not bode well for Pierce, which begins WSC Northern Division play next week against Canyons. This could be the Brahmas’ best chance for a victory this season. The passing game, surprisingly, is among the best in the WSC, thanks largely to quarterback Calvin Zinck’s quick release. Zinck ranks second in the WSC with 669 passing yards and has thrown five touchdown passes. Vaughn Corley has 24 receptions to rank first in the WSC. Bruce Johnson and Basil Duncantell each have 11 receptions. Compton thrives on playing aggressive defense, but the Tartars were penalized 24 times for more than 200 yards against Canyons, including several personal fouls. Desmon Winston and Vincent Starks each have rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown.

* HANCOCK (3-0) vs. VALLEY (1-1)

At Valley, 7 p.m.

The dominance enjoyed by Valley in recent years might be fading. The Monarchs have won only seven of their past 12 games dating to last season and the team’s heralded run-and-shoot offense, which ranks seventh in the WSC, has been far from explosive. Valley is coming off a 13-10 loss at Bakersfield in which the Renegades struck for two touchdowns in the final five minutes, including an 80-yard hook-and-ladder play that left the Monarchs livid. “There is definitely a feeling that we let one slip away,” Coach Gary Barlow said. Freshman Travis Winn, 14 of 24 for passing for 211 yards last week, has emerged from a four-way battle to lay claim to the starting position. Jamian Barbour, who has rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns, has been the most consistent of several backs. Valley has more than 70 players. A balanced offense and aggressive defense are Hancock’s strength. Matt Daniels has rushed for 220 yards and three touchdowns, and Jeff McCoy has passed for 427 yards and five touchdowns. Sophomore linebacker David Mauer had nine unassisted tackles and two sacks in a 35-28 victory over West L.A.

* BAKERSFIELD (2-1) vs. MOORPARK (1-1)

At Moorpark, 7 p.m.

Moorpark’s defense ranks first in the WSC after a 17-0 victory over Santa Barbara that included five interceptions. Sophomore Russell Burwell, who picked off two passes, was selected WSC defensive player of the week. Safety Bubba Jackson also had an interception. Moorpark has allowed only 155 passing yards. The Raiders’ offense is not as sound. Freshman quarterback Scott Ange from Thousand Oaks High is questionable because of a hip pointer. Tackle Jess Ortiz is sidelined with a sprained knee and sprained ankle. The Raiders’ perennially strong running game includes Carl Richardson, who ranks sixth in the WSC with 257 yards, and a handful of able backs. Moorpark committed six turnovers in a 41-14 loss at Bakersfield last season, a game that was tied, 7-7, at halftime. The Renegades had not gone two consecutive games without scoring a touchdown since 1985, a streak that nearly ended before the fourth-quarter rally against Valley. Jermain Ervin has rushed for 354 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Jeff Dover, a returning starter, has passed for 276 yards and no touchdowns.

* GLENDALE (1-2) vs. HARBOR (0-2)

At Harbor, 7 p.m.

Glendale blew a 20-0 lead in a 30-23 loss last week to Southwest, a substandard offensive showing for the Vaqueros, the WSC’s top-ranked offense. Sophomore Darrell Durham rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown in 30 carries. Durham will remain the focus of Glendale’s ball-control offense, which has rolled up 80 first downs. Quarterback Mike Frost, a freshman from Ayala High, completed nine of 18 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown. Frost has been a surprise, winning the job from sophomore Chris Cervantes, a starter last season. Harbor’s heralded passing attack is carrying the Seahawks. Sophomore Jack Hawley, among the best quarterbacks in the state, has passed for 555 yards and three touchdowns, and Mark Pappas ranks third in the WSC with 14 receptions. The Seahawks, however, have rushed for only 98 yards.

* MT. SAN JACINTO (2-0) vs. ANTELOPE VALLEY (1-2)

At Antelope Valley, 7 p.m.

Antelope Valley began the season ranked 12th in the state but has dropped off the charts. The Marauders’ anemic offense ranks last in the Foothill Conference. Quarterback Monte Gutowski, a transfer from Mendocino College, had a pass intercepted on the first play last week at Desert and the Marauders trailed 21-0 late in the fourth quarter. Gutowski, who has completed only 39% of his passes, is the starter because Justin Holtfreter remains sidelined with a bruised sternum. Antelope Valley’s defense ranks third in the conference. Its focus will be David Minnich, who has rushed for 282 yards, and quarterback Damon Puckett, who completed seven of eight for 164 yards and a touchdown in a 41-7 victory over Victor Valley.