Arnold Returns to Practice

Jeff Kearin walked onto the Cal State Northridge practice field Wednesday with a warning.

“Hey, you guys in the secondary,” the Matadors’ interim coach said, “Big guy, No. 18, Aaron Arnold. . . Don’t hit him!”

To which cornerback Chazz Moore quipped: “I’m going to smash him.”

The mood may have been jocular, but Kearin wasn’t kidding.

Arnold, Northridge’s career receiving leader, was back--in black, as a matter of fact--this week, 10 days after suffering a separated shoulder in the fourth quarter at Montana.

Wearing a black jersey for distinction as opposed to the usual white worn by backs and receivers, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound receiver ran routes and gingerly caught spirals.

Arnold, initially projected to miss three games, wants to return Saturday at Montana State.

After practicing twice this week, Arnold convinced Kearin it was worth having him travel to Bozeman.

Kearin, who initially doubted that Arnold would return sooner than three weeks, this week said Arnold has “an outside chance” of getting into the game against the Bobcats.

“He’s tried [to practice], but his shoulder is tender,” Kearin said. “But he’s coming along.”

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Dave Lins likes to be where the action is, and he finally got his chance.

Lins, a senior, is among a handful of backups to quarterback Marcus Brady. Saturday against Cal State Sacramento, Lins made his first appearance in a Northridge game, replacing Brady in the fourth quarter of a 36-14 Matador victory.

Lins completed three passes in as many attempts for 51 yards, and was happy to get into action.

“Finally,” Lins said.

Sitting on the bench is something new for Lins, who started at Crespi High and Valley College. Before Saturday, Lins hadn’t played in a game since the 1997 season while at Valley.