Matadors Won’t Go Under in Overtime

Neither rain, nor off-target passes by Marcus Brady nor just plain sloppiness prevented Cal State Northridge from winning its first game in almost a year Saturday night at Southwest Texas State.

The Matadors will gladly take it.

Bruce Molock’s one-yard touchdown run in overtime lifted Northridge to an emotional 19-13 come-from-behind nonconference victory before 12,528 drenched fans at Bobcat Stadium.

Northridge (1-1), despite five turnovers--including three interceptions by Brady--and assorted miscues, rallied for its first nonconference road victory in two years and second overtime victory in its history. Northridge defeated Sacramento State, 45-38, in overtime at Northridge in 1997.

Molock, who left the game in the first quarter because of leg cramps, returned to pull the Matadors even, 13-13, on a 27-yard scoring run with 7:36 to play.

After Northridge stopped Southwest Texas State in the first overtime, Molock dived into the end zone on the fourth play of the series. Two plays earlier, Brady hit Jamaal Perry for 24 yards and a first down at the one-yard line.

Molock’s score triggered a long-suppressed eruption by the Matadors, blown out by Air Force, 55-6, last week and losers of four consecutive games dating to October.

“It was most definitely necessary to win this game,” linebacker Joseph Roberson said. “It’s hard to keep losing, especially since we [are banned from post-season play by the NCAA]. This was better than a blowout.”

Safety Travis Campbell led an inspired defense that held Southwest Texas to three points after halftime and recorded five sacks.

Campbell’s 44-yard interception return for a touchdown trimmed the Bobcats’ lead to 7-6 midway through the second quarter.

“This was a fight and we won,” Campbell said. “What can you learn about yourself if you have never been in a fight?”

Campbell’s second interception, at the Northridge 20 with 1:03 to play was nullified by an offside penalty. The Matadors stopped the Bobcats at the 34 as time expired.

With the score tied, 13-13, with four minutes left in the game, Campbell recovered a fumble and returned it to the Bobcats’ 23. However, a penalty on the return wiped out the Matadors’ field position.

The subsequent drive sputtered, and with 2:42 to play, Derek Brown missed a 33-yard field-goal attempt. Not that it mattered, Northridge committed an illegal procedure penalty on the play.

Brady fumbled away a snap, and running back Terrelus Wright fumbled the ball away at the Bobcat five-yard line on the final play of the third quarter and Northridge trailing, 13-6.

“The turnovers were frustrating,” Coach Jeff Kearin of Northridge said. “But for us to be able to put together a win against a good team, and to have the skies open up in biblical proportions. . . The importance of us winning this game is immeasurable.”

A first-quarter downpour led to nine turnovers in the game.

Brady completed only nine of 20 for 134 yards with an interception.

“[The ball] was just coming off my finger,” Brady said. “But then it dried up a little bit.”

Drew Amerson, the Matadors’ top receiver, suffered a bruised left knee returning a kickoff on the last play of the half and did not return.

Jason Stone filled in, catching four passes for 49 yards.