GAME DAY / A Look at Today’s Key Matchups

NCAA DIVISION I-AA

* NORTHERN ARIZONA (1-0, 0-0) vs. CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE (1-1, 0-0)

North Campus Stadium, 3:05 p.m.

Northern Arizona clinched a Division I-AA playoff berth by beating the Matadors, 30-10, at Northridge in the regular season finale last year. The Lumberjacks later forfeited four victories, including the game against Northridge, for using an ineligible player, receiver Francis St. Paul. St. Paul is serving a four-game suspension to begin the season and will not play. Junior Sidney Smith, a transfer from Cincinnati, filled in by catching 12 passes for 152 yards in a 32-24 victory over Chadron State last week. Northridge rebounded from a blowout loss at Air Force with a 19-13 overtime victory at Southwest Texas State. Coach Jerome Souers of Northern Arizona said the Matadors should benefit from their nonconference games. “Air Force is a pretty darn good football team,” Souers said. “That’s a tough way to open it up, and then to have to go back and hit the road again.” Northridge’s defense has played well under trying circumstances. Linebackers Cos Abercrombie and Lewis Blanton spearheaded an effort that produced five sacks against Southwest Texas State. The Matadors will focus on Marcus King, who rushed for 177 yards against Chadron State. Preston Parsons passed for 325 yards in his first start. Drew Amerson, Northridge’s best receiver, is sidelined at least three weeks because of a bruised knee. Jason Stone caught four passes against Southwest Texas State in his Matador debut. Marcus Brady has completed 49% of his passes against strong defenses.

JUNIOR COLLEGE

* CANYONS (1-0) vs. ANTELOPE VALLEY (1-0)

At Antelope Valley, 7 p.m.

Canyons’ passing attack took apart Citrus, 27-7, last week and Antelope Valley rallied behind a strong defense to drop Santa Monica, 19-18. Two of Santa Monica’s scores came on fumble returns. The Marauders lost four of six fumbles and had 94 yards in penalties, not a prescription for winning games. Linebackers Adam Fabela (three tackles, 10 assists) and Matt Shaw (one tackle, eight assists) helped contain the Corsairs. Canyons had three quarterbacks throw 51 passes, completing 28 for 354 yards and one touchdown. Sophomore Travis Winn, the starter, accounted for 219 of the yards. Jason d’Autremont had 11 receptions and Terrell Stanley had five. Canyons and Antelope Valley are 4-4 in the nonconference series dating to 1973, with the Cougars winning last year, 19-14.

* SANTA MONICA (0-1) vs. GLENDALE (1-0)

At Glendale High, 1 p.m.

Jamel Applewhite averaged 7.8 yards per carry in Glendale’s 13-7 victory over Desert last week, finishing with 101 yards and two touchdowns. He could spell doom for Santa Monica, which allowed 207 yards on the ground in a 19-18 loss to Antelope Valley. Santa Monica’s defense kept the team in the game, returning two fumbles for touchdowns. Glendale’s defense stepped up at crunch time, stopping Desert on fourth and goal from the two with 29 seconds to play. It’s the 32nd meeting between Santa Monica and Glendale since 1932, with the Corsairs leading, 16-14-1. The Corsairs won last year, 29-28.

* OTHER GAMES

Interdivisional: 1 p.m.--Moorpark at West L.A.

Nonconference: 1 p.m.--Ventura at Mt. San Jacinto; 7 p.m.--Grossmont at Valley; Pierce at Desert.