Game Day / A Look at Today’s Key Matchups

NCAA DIVISION I-AA

* CS SACRAMENTO (4-2, 2-2) vs. CS NORTHRIDGE (2-3, 1-2)

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

For all of its defensive woes this season, Northridge has played best at home, winning against Western Oregon and Idaho State. The Matadors rank last in the Big Sky Conference in total defense, allowing an average of 494 yards a game. Northridge also ranks last in defending the run. The passing attack has long been the Matadors’ strength but it figures to be weakened with the absence of top receiver Aaron Arnold, who is sidelined because of a separated shoulder. Interim Coach Jeff Kearin, displeased with the performance of some starters, has opened some positions to competition. At receiver, Ryan Beckwith will start in place of Drew Amerson and Terrence Jones should play an increased role. Sacramento was touted as the Big Sky’s most improved team in preseason polls. The Hornets, 1-10 in 1997, have lost two games by six points. Running back Charles Roberts, who rushed for a Division I-AA record 2,260 yards last season, and a huge offensive line lead the offense. But quarterback Ricky Ray, a transfer from Shasta College, appears to be emerging as a force. Ray completed 18 of 22 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-14 upset of Portland State last week.

NCAA DIVISION III

* CLAREMONT-MUDD (4-1, 1-1) vs. CAL LUTHERAN (1-3, 1-0)

At Mt. Clef Stadium, Thousand Oaks, 1 p.m.

Fresh off their first victory of the season, the Kingsmen celebrate homecoming with a key Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game. Cal Lutheran is 26-9 in homecoming games, and owns a 23-4-1 series advantage against the Stags, having lost to them on the field only once since 1964. That loss came last season, when Claremont-Mudd broke a 16-game losing streak. This is an important game for the Kingsmen, who play three consecutive road games after today. Victories today and at Occidental next week would match Cal Lutheran against La Verne (3-0 in SCIAC play) on Oct. 30. Last week, sophomore wide receiver Eugene Sullivan caught six passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns for the Kingsmen in a 48-12 victory over Whittier. Nine Cal Lutheran players, including seven defensive starters, return after serving a one-game suspension for violating team rules. Claremont-Mudd already has won more games than in any season since 1987. The Stags’ offense, which averages 31.6 points per game, is led by quarterback Bryan Banta. Banta has passed for 926 yards and 12 touchdowns with no interceptions for a 159.5 passing rating.

JUNIOR COLLEGE

* ANTELOPE VALLEY (2-3, 1-2) vs. SOUTHWESTERN (4-1, 2-1)

At Southwestern, 5 p.m.

When the Marauders traveled to Chula Vista to face the Apaches two years ago, they returned to Lancaster with a 35-31 victory behind Lafayette Bailey’s school-record 305 yards rushing. Bailey is gone but the Marauders head south with another dangerous running back in Jason Anderson. Anderson, a freshman from Palmdale High, ranks third in the Foothill Conference and seventh in the state with an average of 138.6 yards rushing per game. He averages an amazing 11.4 yards per carry and has scored eight touchdowns (seven rushing). Running room might be difficult to find against Southwestern, which ranks third in the conference in rushing defense (131.4 yards per game). Antelope Valley’s rushing defense ranks eighth in the conference at 181.2 yards per game. The Marauders gave up 247 yards on the ground in a 27-14 loss to Chaffey last week. Southwestern last week was outgained by San Bernardino Valley, 383 yards to 355, but pulled off a 27-13 victory. Antelope Valley has a three-game winning streak against the Apaches, but trail in the series, 8-4, dating to 1961.

Note: The Western State Conference has a bye week.