GAME DAY: A Look at Today’s Key Matchups

NCAA DIVISION I-AA

* CS NORTHRIDGE (1-1, 0-0) vs. EASTERN WASHINGTON (1-2, 0-1)

At Eastern Washington, 6:05 p.m.

Northridge begins its fourth season in the Big Sky Conference after a much-needed bye. The Matadors are 0-2 at Eastern Washington, which won the conference title in 1997. Cornerback Mel Miller, a starter last season, gained academic eligibility this week for Northridge. The addition of Miller should help a defense depleted by injury. Safeties Hassan Abdul-Malik and Travis Campbell are sidelined and cornerback Chazz Moore suffered a sprained ankle two weeks ago in a loss against Kansas. Moore is expected to play. Linebacker Brennen Swanson had his best game last season in the Matadors’ 38-35 victory over Eastern Washington. Swanson had eight solo tackles and a game-saving sack to thwart the Eagles’ final possession at North Campus Stadium. The offense is healthy, except for the line, which has been shuffled because injury since the start of summer practice. Center Julio Alcala missed practice Thursday because of a sore back but is expected to play. Northridge’s running game has been one of the team’s few strengths. Fullback Jaumal Bradley and DeJuan Gilmore get the lion’s share of the carries. But Eastern Washington Coach Mike Kramer said stopping the combination of Matador quarterback Marcus Brady and receiver Aaron Arnold is the key. “Marcus is gaining a lot of confidence and Aaron Arnold, we’ve never been able to take him out of the picture,” he said. Eastern Washington allowed 48 points in both its losses, to Idaho and Portland State. Running back Jovan Griffith rushed for 492 yards for Eastern Washington last season.

NCAA DIVISION III

* CAL LUTHERAN (0-2) vs. WHITWORTH (1-1)

At the Pine Bowl, Spokane, Wash., 1 p.m.

The Kingsmen make their first visit to the hometown of fourth-year Coach Scott Squires, a graduate of Mead High in Spokane. Cal Lutheran rallied for 20 fourth-quarter points but came up short, 28-26, in its opener against Pacific Lutheran. The Kingsmen fell flat last week at San Diego, losing, 30-14, after holding a 14-0 halftime lead. Former Newbury Park High quarterback Chris Czernek appears to have won the starting job. Czernek started against San Diego and completed 15 of 32 passes for 163 yards. He has passed for 351 yards and a touchdown in two games. Running back George Keiaho rushed for 89 yards and a touchdown in 17 carries last week. Keiaho, who attended Buena High, leads the Kingsmen with 169 rushing yards and ranks second in rushing in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Keiaho transferred from Washington. Dorian Stitt has rushed for 118 yards and one touchdown. Tight end Brad Greetis caught five passes against San Diego and leads Cal Lutheran with 10 receptions. Tailback Damian Putney of Whitworth set school records with 40 carries and 303 yards last week in a 33-19 victory over Simon Fraser. Putney rushed for 238 yards in the second half. The game is the 18th for Cal Lutheran outside of California. The Kingsmen are 7-9-1 playing out of state. Cal Lutheran has a bye next week before opening SCIAC play against Whittier College at Cal Lutheran on Oct. 9.

JUNIOR COLLEGE

* HANCOCK (2-0, 0-0) vs. VENTURA (2-0, 0-0)

At Ventura High, 7 p.m.

A terrific Western State Conference Northern Division showdown. Hancock is ranked No. 10 by the state J.C. Athletic Bureau, Ventura is ranked No. 12. Each has a potent running attack, but Hancock’s passing game is considerably more dependable. Doug Pazdan of Hancock has 658 yards passing and eight touchdowns, and his 65.9% completion percentage (29 of 44) is tops in the conference. Workhorse sophomore Travis Rogers of Ventura leads the WSC with 330 yards rushing. He had 166 yards and one touchdown last week in Ventura’s 17-7 nonconference victory over Mt. San Jacinto. Hancock is coming off a 49-29 nonconference victory over San Bernardino Valley.

* MOORPARK (0-2, 0-0) vs. PIERCE (1-1, 0-0)

At Pierce College, 7 p.m.

David Banuelos, a former Moorpark assistant and Pierce’s first-year coach, goes against his old pals in a WSC Northern Division matchup. The Brahmas are off to their best start since 1995, when they were 1-1 before losing a state-record 31 in a row. Pierce last week defeated Desert, 34-33, in a nonconference game saved by Jason Romanello’s block of an extra-point with 35 seconds to play. The Brahmas haven’t stopped the run, allowing 255.0 yards rushing per game, and Banuelos figures Moorpark is bound to test them early. Coach Jim Bittner of Moorpark said Banuelos is right. But the Raiders, usually strong on the ground, have been stifled by seven- and eight-men fronts in losses to Chaffey and West L.A.

* CANYONS (2-0, 0-0) vs. GLENDALE (1-1, 0-0)

At Glendale High, 1 p.m.

The Cougars, ranked No. 17, are trying to serve early notice they are legitimate WSC Northern Division contenders, and Glendale is looking to again be a factor in the division. The Vaqueros have declined since placing second behind Moorpark in 1992, one year after winning the division and beating Citrus in the Southern California Bowl. Sophomore Mike Frost has the team on the upswing. Frost leads the WSC with 776 yards passing and eight touchdowns, and has 2,563 yards passing in his career, 10th best in school history. The Vaqueros are averaging 479.0 yards. Canyons relies on the passing of sophomore Travis Winn, who has 474 yards and four touchdowns.

* OTHER JUNIOR COLLEGE GAMES:

WSC Northern Division: 7 p.m., Santa Barbara (0-2, 0-0) at Valley (1-1, 0-0); Foothill Conference: 7 p.m., Grossmont (1-1, 0-0) at Antelope Valley (1-1, 0-0).

* HIGH SCHOOL GAMES:

Southern Section: 2 p.m.--Flintridge Prep at San Diego Francis Parker; 3 p.m.--San Marino at Harvard-Westlake; 7 p.m.--First Lutheran vs. South Bay Lutheran at Hawthorne High; 7:30 p.m.--Brethren Christian vs. L.A. Baptist at Alemany High; St. Genevieve vs. Bosco Tech at Pius X-St. Matthias High.

Eight-man: 11 a.m.--Trinity Lutheran vs. L.A. Lutheran at L.A. Baptist High; 1 p.m.--Windward at Grace Brethren; Westmark at Big Pine; Joshua Springs vs. Santa Clarita Christian at First Lutheran High; Owens Valley at Antelope Valley Christian.