Northridge Easy Pickins in Cotton

Everything, the saying goes, is big in Texas.

For Cal State Northridge, a mediocre Division I-A football opponent might be too big.

Southern Methodist, a middle-of-the-pack member of the Western Athletic Conference, showed the Matadors bit off more than they could chew by routing Northridge, 58-16, in a nonconference game Saturday before 7,494 at the Cotton Bowl.

Northridge (5-5), challenging its second Division I-A opponent this season, again was outmanned and worn down, totaling only 24 yards rushing and sputtering through a second half that grew progressively more lopsided. The outcome was reminiscent of a 71-14 loss to Kansas in September.

Southern Methodist (3-5), playing its final game in the Cotton Bowl, scored seven touchdowns, all by freshmen. Kris Briggs scored four rushing touchdowns to tie a school record.

Northridge, taking a break from Big Sky Conference play, earned a reported $100,000 just for suiting up against Southern Methodist, which lost its first five games of the season.

By comparison, Northridge earned $200,000 for playing Kansas. Athletic Director Dick Dull continues to seek out lucrative matchups for the Division I-AA Matadors, who will open next season against Air Force.

But finances weren’t on the mind of Matador interim Coach Jeff Kearin.

“We came in here thinking we could compete and win this game,” Kearin said. “This is not a ‘money game,’ where we come in here and give it up and take home the money. Today, there was no question we could have won this game. The second half was so disappointing.”

Unlike the game against Kansas, Northridge appeared capable of winning in the first half. The Matadors’ trailed, 10-6, after one quarter and pulled to within 17-9 on Derek Brown’s 19-yard field goal on the final play of the first half.

Quarterback Marcus Brady, showing no signs of a swollen ankle, completed 19 of 24 passes in the first half, including a 25-yard pass to Gil Rodriguez for the Matadors’ first score.

Northridge got the ball first in the third quarter but failed to make a first down in four possessions. By the time the Matadors did, Southern Methodist led, 37-9.

“Man, it seemed like every time I looked up, we were heading toward the sideline to punt,” fullback Jaumal Bradley of Northridge said. “We were down, 17-9, and then the next thing you know it’s 30-9 and then. . . . “

Northridge punter Ethan Beck did get a workout, punting eight times. He also failed to get off a kick because of a bad snap.

Northridge recorded its only score of the second half on a one-yard run by DeJuan Gilmore with 2:48 to play.

Chris Cunningham of SMU doused any celebration by returning the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown.

Kearin seethed over the play, saying it typified the Matadors’ attitude.

“I thought I saw some guys out there who didn’t look like they wanted to be out there,” Kearin said. “I told the team, ‘You guys decide [today] whether you want to be out here or not.’ If Marcus Brady is the best guy to run down and cover kicks, then Marcus will be out there covering kicks.”

Brady completed 29 of 41 passes for 239 yards. Drew Amerson had nine catches, Rodriguez seven.