Defensive Woes Plague Matadors

One week it’s rushing, the next week passing. No matter how you slice it, the Cal State Northridge defense is being carved up by opponents this season.

The Matadors (2-3) rank last in total defense in the nine-team Big Sky Conference and dropped to 1-2 in conference play after a 48-27 loss Saturday at Montana.

After allowing 353 yards rushing against Kansas and 456 against Eastern Washington, the Matadors appear to have shored up their porous defensive front. In the last two games, Northridge has held Idaho State and Montana to a combined 226 yards and the Matadors’ front seven have played with a noticeable burst of intensity.

The problem lies in the secondary.

Montana quarterback Drew Miller exploited the Matadors with ease while passing for 402 yards and four touchdowns. Meanwhile, members of the Matador secondary continue to draw penalties, mostly for holding.

“I wonder what’s going on back there sometimes,” linebacker Cos Abercrombie said. “I know we have good defensive backs, but it seems we focus more on the run.”

Jeff Kearin, Northridge’s interim coach, said the team’s secondary is “approaching a complete breakdown right now.”

“Our pass defense is in real trouble,” Kearin said. “Their receivers were wide open and [Miller] was finding them.”

Kearin fumed at officials in the first half when no pass interference penalty was called after a pass intended for Northridge receiver Aaron Arnold was broken up. Arnold, who later suffered a dislocated shoulder, and a Grizzly defender collided as the ball arrived.

Kearin, however, didn’t fault the officials regarding his own secondary.

“There’s no doubt in my mind,” Kearin said, “that when they call holding, it’s usually holding.”

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Arnold, the Matadors’ career receiving leader, is expected to be sidelined at least three weeks.

Arnold and quarterback Marcus Brady have teamed in the past year to provide Northridge with a quick-strike capability as threatening as any team in the Big Sky.

“I think in Marcus Brady’s mind, he is looking for Aaron Arnold more often than not,” Kearin said.

Now, Brady will have to look for other receivers. In fact, he already is.

Gil Rodriguez led the Matadors with six receptions against Montana. Terrence Jones had five, Arnold and Drew Amerson each had four.

“I’m just trying to execute the offense,” Brady said. “I don’t really have a favorite receiver.”