VALLEY / VENTURA COUNTY SPORTS : GAME DAY: A Look at Today’s Key Matchups

NCAA DIVISION I-AA

* CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE (1-0) vs. KANSAS (0-1)

At Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, Kan., 4:30 p.m.

It’s time for Northridge to step up against the Division I-A Jayhawks. A victory or a respectable showing would bring the Matadors strong credibility and send a message to Big Sky Conference opponents. The game will be a test for quarterback Marcus Brady, among the Big Sky’s most talented quarterbacks. If Brady can connect often with prime target Aaron Arnold, Northridge can be a threat. Protection will be the key. The Matadors’ offensive line is depleted with the absence of Taffe Aina and Ernie Fiero and Northridge’s front historically has held up poorly against bigger and stronger foes. Brady was sacked 49 times last season. He was sacked twice and scrambled often last week in a 38-19 nonconference victory over Western Oregon. Northridge ran the ball effectively against Western Oregon. Alan Taylor and Jaumal Bradley combined for more than 180 yards and neither fumbled. “If we can run the ball with any kind of effectiveness like we did last week, we stand a legitimate chance,” Northridge interim Coach Jeff Kearin said. The Jayhawks had a bye last week, so they should be over the sting of a 48-13 loss at Notre Dame two weeks ago. Kansas kept it close early, pulling within 20-13 on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Zac Wegner to Michael Chandler with two seconds left in the first half.

In other Big Sky games:

* CAL STATE SACRAMENTO (1-0) vs. MONTANA (1-0)

At Washington-Grizzly Stadium, Missoula, Mont., 12:05 p.m.

The defending champion Grizzlies face upstart Sacramento in the only matchup of Big Sky teams this weekend. Charles Roberts picked up where he left off last season for the Hornets, rushing for 188 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-7 victory over St. Mary’s. Roberts last season rushed for a Division I-AA-record 2,260 yards, third most in Division I history. Roberts reached the peak with a season-ending 176 yards in 43 carries against Montana. The Grizzlies’ defensive front might be the team’s weakness. Montana, preseason favorite to win the Big Sky, last week defeated South Dakota, 45-13.

* WESTERN WASHINGTON (0-0) vs. PORTLAND STATE (0-1)

At Civic Stadium, 6:05 p.m.

Portland State’s toughest game is in the past. Fresno State defeated Portland State, 34-6, and the Viking pass defense was exploited. Coach Tim Walsh of Portland State said after the game he will consider adjusting the secondary. Western Washington is playing its first season at Division II after finishing 5-5 last year.

* WEBER STATE (1-0) vs. WYOMING (0-1)

At War Memorial Stadium, Laramie, Wyo., 1:07 p.m.

Weber State also plays a Division I-A opponent this week. The Wildcats opened with a 33-3 victory over Western State College of Colorado. Senior Morgan Welch gives the Wildcats a running game that can wear down opponents. The 5-9, 205-pound senior rushed for a school-record 1,378 yards last season.

OTHER GAMES:

Central Washington (0-0) at Eastern Washington (0-1), Fort Lewis (0-2) at Idaho State (1-0), Western New Mexico (1-1) at Montana State (1-0).

DIVISION III

* PACIFIC LUTHERAN (0-0) vs. CAL LUTHERAN (0-0)

At Mt. Clef Stadium, 1 p.m.

Cal Lutheran Coach Scott Squires won’t know until he has watched a few dozen snaps who will lead the Kingsmen’s offense. Junior Nick Odenath, a part-time starter last season, will open at quarterback. But former Newbury Park standout Chris Czernek, a transfer from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, also is expected to play. At running back, former Buena star and Washington transfer George Keiaho is slowed by a hamstring injury. How quickly the injury heals will determine how much Squires will rely on Ventura County’s career rushing leader. The Kingsmen, undefeated at home last season, return tailback Dorian Stitt, who rushed for 710 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Pacific Lutheran beat Cal Lutheran in overtime, 20-14, last season at Tacoma, Wash.

JUNIOR COLLEGE

* MOORPARK (0-0) vs. CHAFFEY (0-0)

At Moorpark College, 7 p.m.

As rematches go, it’s not Minnesota-Atlanta, but don’t tell that to Moorpark. Chaffey defeated the Raiders, 34-29, in the Southern California Bowl in December, stuffing Moorpark’s running game led by Carl Richardson, the Western State Conference Southern Division player of the year after rushing for 1,284 yards and eight touchdowns. Moorpark ran for only 130 yards against Chaffey. “I’ve never seen a team commit so many people to stopping the run,” Moorpark Coach Jim Bittner said. Richardson has moved on, but the Raiders still rely on the run, balancing their attack with lots of play action. Quarterback Farhaad Azimi was lost for the season with a broken collarbone in the opener last year, but Bittner said the former Rio Mesa High standout is looking sharp. Moorpark’s running game is in the hands of sophomore Emmanuel Evans and freshman Donald Thompson. Evans played behind Richardson last year, but he had 4,781 career yards and 46 touchdowns at Birmingham. Thompson had 1,993 yards rushing, tops among region ballcarriers, and 28 touchdowns last season at Hueneme. Moorpark is ranked No. 16 in the state preseason poll. Chaffey, ranked No. 18, features sophomore running back Damian Hunter, coming off a 1,000-yard season. Coach Carl Beach said the Panthers don’t have any returning starters on defense.

* OTHER GAMES:

Nonconference: 6 p.m., Pierce at San Diego Mesa; 7 p.m., Santa Monica at Antelope Valley; Glendale at Desert; Canyons at Citrus; Chaffey at Moorpark; Valley at Harbor; Ventura at East L.A.