Valley / Ventura County Sports : NORTHRIDGE NOTEBOOK : Miller Is Back on the Corner

Mel Miller has had more time to prepare this season. But not much.

Miller, a senior cornerback for Cal State Northridge, played in the Matadors’ final intrasquad scrimmage Saturday and is expected to start Saturday in the opener against Western Oregon at North Campus Stadium.

The eligibility of Miller, a returning starter, was in question pending his completion of summer classes. Miller said he has fulfilled his academic responsibilities.

“I just had to take some summer classes and I’ve missed some practices because of school work,” Miller said. “I feel fine and I’m in pretty good shape.”

Miller arrived at Northridge a year ago this week, having transferred from Washington after starting every game for the Huskies for two seasons.

Miller, who attended South Torrance High, was suspended by Coach Jim Lambright of Washington for the first three games of the season because of academic reasons.

Miller was arrested along with two students in connection with an assault of a Washington student. However, he was never charged and Lambright said the suspension was unrelated to the incident.

Miller, 5 feet 11 and 195 pounds, played in the Matadors’ opener last season at Boise State four days after first practicing for Northridge.

“It’s a lot different this year,” Miller said. “Last year, I only had a couple of days.”

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Linebacker Cos Abercrombie is expected to start against Western Oregon after being ineligible during the summer.

Last season, Abercrombie suffered a broken jaw against Northern Arizona in the Matadors’ second game and missed the remainder of the season.

Abercrombie, 6-1, 225-pound sophomore, said his jaw was weakened by a bullet wound sustained in a 1996 shooting that claimed the life of his friend.

“It sure didn’t help it,” Abercrombie said. “But everything is OK now. It’s just a matter of shaping up and getting my head on the swivel.”

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Senior cornerback Chazz Moore, a returning starter, sat out the scrimmage Saturday because of dehydration. Moore is expected to start against Western Oregon. . . . The Matadors practice today at 5 and are off Monday. Practice resumes Tuesday at 4.