Kearin Is Happy With Gilmore

DeJuan Gilmore ran 40 yards off tackle on his first carry for Cal State Northridge on Saturday during the Matadors’ first intrasquad scrimmage. He ran seven yards on his second.

Before he was finished, Gilmore, a 5-foot-8, 204-pound senior transfer from Washington State, made several impressive gains, including two on shovel passes from quarterback Marcus Brady.

“I think he can play for us,” interim Coach Jeff Kearin said. “He certainly showed why he was a Pac-10 running back.”

For Gilmore, who attended Gardena High, playing before the small gathering of spectators at North Campus Stadium was a far cry from his three-year experience at Pullman, Wash. But he isn’t complaining.

“I’ll miss the Pac-10 and playing on TV and all that stuff,” Gilmore said. “But I have no regrets. It was a decision I made and I’m going to live with it.”

Gilmore undoubtedly would be Washington State’s top ballcarrier this season had he decided to stay.

Kevin Brown, who led the Cougars with 1,046 rushing yards last season, was dismissed from the team in June after being convicted of burglary charges.

At the time of Brown’s arrest in May, Gilmore already had left. Having logged only 127 carries in three seasons, Gilmore had become frustrated by lack of playing time.

Gilmore gained 295 yards while averaging eight yards a carry as a sophomore. But as a junior, he played behind Brown, a sophomore.

“I loved Coach [Mike] Price, it was just a decision I had to make,” Gilmore said. “It was hard for me not to be playing so much. I’m used to playing all the time.

“[Kearin] runs more of a two-back offense than Price does. Hopefully, I’ll have a better opportunity to be a part of the offense here.”

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Terrance Jones, a senior wide receiver and transfer from Fresno State, chose Northridge because he wanted to be closer to home. After the scrimmage, Jones, who attended Fontana High, was surrounded by several family members.

“I wanted to be close to my family,” Jones said.

Jones is likely to develop a close relationship with Brady. He had one reception that went for a 60-yard touchdown.

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Linebacker Isaac Gardner, who suffered a dislocated shoulder, appeared to be the only player to emerge with a significant injury. Gardner twice left the field clutching his left arm. . . . Hassan Abdul-Malik, a projected starter at safety, and nose tackle Sean Beard did not suit up. Abdul-Malik is nursing a sore hamstring, Beard a sprained knee. . . . Wide receiver Drew Amerson did not play because of a sore back.