Northridge Must Find Back After Taylor Is Lost

No words were needed to describe the pain Alan Taylor felt Saturday at Cal State Northridge. His face told the story.

Of course, crutches and a heavily bandaged left ankle helped.

Taylor winced with every step while making his way through the parking lot after the annual red-white scrimmage at North Campus Stadium. A sophomore projected to start at tailback for the Matadors, Taylor suffered a high ankle sprain Saturday that suddenly leaves his season in doubt.

“Right now, I just want to go home,” Taylor said. “It’s hurting pretty bad.”

Coach Jeff Kearin needed only one word to describe the injury to Taylor.

“Bad,” Kearin said.

To say the least, Northridge, a week away from its season opener at Air Force, can ill afford to lose a running back, especially Taylor, the most experienced of an unproven group.

While quarterback Marcus Brady and a talented corps of receivers have appeared sharp this summer, the Matadors’ running attack remains a question mark.

Taylor, 5 feet 7 and 175 pounds, rushed for 133 yards last season as a backup to Jaumal Bradley. Fullback Crayton Milton did not register a carry.

Suddenly, Bruce Molock, who redshirted last season, and newcomer Terrelus Wright, a transfer from Arizona Western College, are in the running.

“We lost our starting running back,” Brady said. “But I’m happy with the guys we have. They all have very different styles.”

Taylor is scheduled to have X-rays taken Monday. Kearin declined to speculate how long Taylor will be sidelined. He expressed confidence in his backup backs.

“I don’t feel good about what happened, but those other guys are right there with him,” Kearin said.

Taylor, before entering a car and departing, pledged to return in a few weeks.

“I’ll be back,” Taylor said.

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The running game could receive a boost by the addition of freshman Matt Hicks, a former All-City selection for North Hollywood High. Hicks enrolled at Northridge this week and is expected to begin practicing Monday.

With Taylor sidelined, the most likely starter appears to be Wright, recruited out of high school in Oceanside by Ron Ponciano, former Northridge coach.

Wright played two seasons at Arizona Western, contributing to a state championship in 1998.

“Out of me, Bruce and Alan, we all have varying styles,” Wright said. “As a group, we can get the job done.”

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The scrimmage was brief and reduced to light hitting in order to allow nagging injuries to heal.

Several players have missed practice this week for precautionary reasons, including Brady, who felt soreness in his throwing arm.

Safety Travis Campbell has been sidelined all week because of a groin injury. Many players are limping with sprains.

The real pain for Northridge could come Saturday at Colorado Springs, where Air Force might inflict a good beating.

Brady views things differently.

“Of course, we’ll be the underdogs,” Brady said. “I like that sometimes. I play better with my back against the wall. I’m going there to win.”

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Kickers are often considered the quirkiest players. Guys half the size of teammates who spend hours practicing alone, their sole focus booting the ball.

Derek Brown, a sophomore from Highland High, adds to the aura. The Matador kicker is the only player with a facial piercing, a stud beneath his lower lip.

Brown, who made 10 field goals in 14 tries last season, said he intends to wear the stud during games. Kearin said he consulted Big Sky Conference game officials and was told players are not prohibited from sporting such jewelry during games.

“They said it’s legal,” Kearin said. “And stupid.”

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Northridge has ceased two-a-day practices and will begin afternoon workouts Monday.

“We’ll start preparing for Air Force,” Kearin said. “They present huge challenges for us.”