`ANGRY GUY' NO LONGER CSUN'S AMERSON FITS IN, STANDS OUT.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

Drew Amerson figured he was about to get blasted by his coaches.

After fumbling twice in his first game as a Cal State Northridge receiver, he stormed to the sideline. Coach Jeff Kearin's frustration was trivial compared to Amerson's anger. Much to his surprise, Kearin didn't bench him.

``He just told me, 'I need you and the team needs you. You can't get down or you're going to keep messing up. Stick your head up,' '' Amerson recalled. ``He wasn't really screaming. That really helped me out. I knew he was on my side.''

That was two years ago, when Amerson didn't exactly feel like he belonged. Coaches redshirted him his freshman year in 1997. It flustered Amerson all season. When Kearin took over in 1998, he wanted to find a way to make Amerson feel comfortable. It took a little time and now Amerson, a junior, is the one helping freshmen adjust.

``We used to joke around that he was kind of like 'Angry Guy','' Kearin said. ``There was never a point of friction. There was never a point where he wasn't a positive member of the team. But it was just a little difficult to communicate with him.

``He probably wasn't as receptive to coaching as we probably would've liked. But really, his personality has evolved. Now, he's almost the life of the party here.''

Thanks to his demeanor on and off the field.

Amerson made the transition from Morse High of San Diego, which friend and Matadors quarterback Marcus Brady also attended, to CSUN, but it was hardly a smooth one. He admittedly wasn't all that dedicated in the classroom or on the field. He'd often miss a class and wasn't sold on the importance of lifting weights.

``I was young,'' Amerson said. ``I've matured as the years went on. I just had to pay my dues just like everybody else.''

But Amerson hardly is like everybody else. Not everyone can run a 4.35-second 40-yard dash. Or have the ability to convince coaches that in addition to returning kickoffs and starting at flanker, he also could help in the secondary.

Amerson (6-foot, 170 pounds) benched 260 pounds last year. Now he can do 290. He squats 440, a 55-pound improvement over last year. He stayed in Northridge to work out with Brady and attend summer school.

He volunteered to play cornerback because the Matadors are young and inexperienced.

``Arguably, at times, Drew is the best corner on the field,'' Kearin said. ``I love it. We always say if we're going to do the things we think we can do, we have to have the best kids on the field.''

When they recruited Amerson, coaches knew he came from a gifted athletic family. His older brother, Archie Jr., played at Northern Arizona, where he won the Walter Payton Award as the top player in NCAA Division I-AA, and now plays for Toronto in the CFL.

His dad, Archie Sr., played baseball in the Minnesota Twins organization.

Amerson, who also played baseball in high school, especially is intrigued about playing defense again.

``It's a challenge,'' Amerson said. ``I'm getting back in the groove. I haven't played it since high school.''

CSUN expects Amerson to make the most impact at flanker, where he had 71 receptions for 817 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. He also was a threat on kickoff returns, averaging 27 yards on six returns, until a knee injury sidelined him for two games early in the season.

It was Brady who convinced Amerson to play receiver. It's not surprising, considering they've known each other since they were kids, playing football and baseball together.

Where one is - be it the weight room or cafeteria - the other isn't far away. They've been roommates in Northridge the last few years.

``He's always trying to keep me on a straight line,'' Amerson said. ``He's the good guy, I was always the good guy-bad guy. He was making sure I did my homework and everything.''

Brady said he hasn't seen any obvious changes in Amerson. But that's probably because he's seen him every day for as long as he can remember. But this is the last year they'll play together because Brady is a senior.

And Amerson will be Brady's favorite target on his assault of Division I-AA passing records.

``He's aggressive on the field,'' Brady said. ``He's in attack mode. He plays the game real confident, as if he's the best athlete out there and you have to stop him. I like that about him.''

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Photo:

Receiver Drew Amerson, a junior, turned his CSUN career around when Jeff Kearin took over as coach, and now Amerson is a team leader for the Matadors this season.

Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News

Box: AMERSON FILE