Brady’s Big Day Saves Northridge

In one of only two opportunities this season to impress the home fans and perhaps save a program, quarterback Marcus Brady and Cal State Northridge put on a show.

Brady accounted for 462 yards of offense and six touchdowns to lead the Matadors to their first victory of the year, a 47-37 nonconference decision over Western Oregon, before 1,912 Saturday at North Campus Stadium.

The senior threw for 362 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 100 yards and two touchdowns in eight carries. In the fourth quarter, he connected with DJ Hackett on a 20-yard touchdown to give the Matadors (1-3) a 40-37 lead and added an insurance score with a 25-yard scoring pass to Anthony Ramos with two minutes remaining.

“It was a big win for the fans, for the school and for us,” said Brady after their first game since the report submitted by Athletic Director Dick Dull to university President Jolene Koester recommended football should be dropped to help make up a $725,000 department deficit.

Coach Jeff Kearin said the timing of the victory makes it one of the school’s biggest in its 40-year history. “This is certainly up there,” he said.

Western Oregon (2-2), a Division II school, built a 23-7 second-quarter lead and was up 30-19 in the third after scoring 17 points off three Matador turnovers. Northridge rallied, but quarterback Bart Bishop’s 14-yard pass to Mike Hinshaw gave the Wolves a 37-33 lead with 12:25 to play.

Brady, who became the first Northridge quarterback to pass for 300 yards and rush for 100, drove the Matadors 71 yards on seven plays. He led Hackett on a pass to the end zone and sophomore made a diving catch.

“That’s not unlike DJ,” Brady said. “He makes those plays.”