GAME DAY / A Look at Today’s Key Matchups

NCAA DIVISION I-AA

CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE (3-3, 2-2) at MONTANA STATE (3-3, 1-2)

at Montana State, 12:05 p.m. PDT

Northridge is winless on the road this season and in three games against Montana State since joining the Big Sky Conference in 1996, losing by scores of 32-26 last season, 31-20 in 1997 and 24-17 in 1996. The Bobcats are the only Big Sky team Northridge has failed to defeat. The big question for the Matadors is whether receiver Aaron Arnold will play. Arnold separated a shoulder two weeks ago and initially was expected to miss three games. However, the Matadors’ leader in career receptions practiced this week and showed remarkable improvement. Interim Coach Jeff Kearin said Arnold probably will play. The Matadors’ offensive line is without tackle Nick Longshore, who has a shoulder injury, and guard Johnny Acosta, who was granted a week of leave because of a family matter. Montana State, which defeated the Matadors is 3-0 at home this season. Northridge ranks second in the Big Sky in passing, Montana State is second in pass defense. “This is one talented football team,” Montana State Coach Cliff Hysell said of Northridge. “Our history has been that we’ve found a way to bounce back against Northridge. We need to make something good happen for us early in the game.”

NCAA DIVISION III

* CAL LUTHERAN (2-3, 2-0) vs. OCCIDENTAL (1-4, 0-3)

At Patterson Field, Occidental, 7 p.m.

The Kingsmen, riding a two-game winning streak, embark on a three-game trip with a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game. Cal Lutheran has lost seven consecutive road games, its last victory away from home coming at Occidental on Oct. 25, 1997. Since Scott Squires became head coach in 1996, the Kingsmen are 1-9 in night road games. The Kingsmen had two 100-yard rushers last week in a 31-21 victory over Claremont-Mudd, with Dorian Stitt running for 160 yards and George Keiaho gaining 111. Occidental snapped a nine-game losing streak last week by defeating Colorado College, 13-10, in a blizzard in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Tigers have been outscored, 139-44. Cal Lutheran leads the series, 16-5. The Kingsmen are a half-game behind first-place La Verne, their opponent next week in a potential SCIAC title showdown. Squires knows Cal Lutheran can’t afford to look ahead. “When you prepare 365 days for nine games, every game is important,” Squires said.

JUNIOR COLLEGES

* SANTA MONICA (3-2) vs. VENTURA (4-1)

At Ventura High, 7 p.m.

After a bye week, the Western State Conference resumes play with interdivisional matchups, which don’t count as conference games. Ventura, from the Northern Division, is coming off a 31-6 victory over Glendale two weeks ago. Santa Monica, from the Southern Division, lost to Southwest, 49-39. Ventura is strong on the ground with sophomore Travis Rogers and freshman Pheon Bright. Rogers leads the WSC with 720 yards rushing and has 10 touchdowns. Bright has 222 yards rushing, 182 coming against Glendale. Santa Monica has been vulnerable mostly against the pass, but it’s not exactly the Steel Curtain against the run, allowing 169.2 yards per game. Altriki Brown, who has 546 yards rushing and eight touchdowns, is Santa Monica’s main threat.

* MOORPARK (3-2) vs. SOUTHWEST (3-2)

At Southwest, 1 p.m.

What matters in this WSC interdivisional game is padding the overall record for playoff consideration, which, for teams with two defeats, is crucial. Moorpark hammered Santa Barbara, 48-13, two weeks ago and Southwest beat Santa Monica, 49-39. Moorpark has not scored fewer than 37 points in a game this season, thanks primarily to quarterback Farhaad Azimi. The sophomore from Rio Mesa High has passed for 1,172 yards and 12 touchdowns, with three interceptions. He ranks second in the WSC in offense with 1,357 yards and has 16 touchdowns. Moorpark is averaging 454.6 yards. Southwest relies on the running of Treveon Fulton, who leads the conference with 11 rushing touchdowns and ranks second with 548 yards.

* OTHER GAMES

WSC Interdivision: 1 p.m., East L.A. (2-3) vs. Glendale (2-3) at Glendale High; Compton (2-3) at Pierce (1-4); Canyons (3-2) at West L.A. (4-1); 7 p.m., Citrus (1-4) at Valley (3-2); Foothill Conference: 7 p.m., Antelope Valley (2-4, 1-3) at San Diego Mesa (3-3, 1-3).