CSUN ANALYSIS: MATADORS DEFENSE HAD ITS DAY.

Byline: Brian Dohn Daily News Staff Writer

Cal State Northridge cornerback Donnell Day bit on the hard fake, and by the time he recovered, Northern Arizona wideout Francis St. Paul was 3 yards ahead with no one in front.

Problem was, Northern Arizona quarterback Clay Brown overthrew St. Paul by a few yards.

It was the first play from scrimmage, and the first of many times Northern Arizona would throw in Day's direction in the first half Saturday.

But Northern Arizona wouldn't get a sniff at another completion against the CSUN senior, and the ripple effect allowed the Matadors' safeties to help in other areas. That was a primary reason the defense held the 13th-ranked Lumberjacks to one touchdown in the 41-10 win.

Of Northern Arizona quarterback Clay Brown's paltry nine completions, only one went for more than 13 yards.

Wide receivers caught just three passes for 26 yards, and Northern Arizona's 78 yards passing was its lowest total since 1995.

``Brown was really getting flustered by their secondary,'' Northern Arizona coach Jerry Souers said.

Particularly strenuous to Brown's efforts was the play of Day.

After overthrowing St. Paul, Northern Arizona attacked Day deep three more times in the half, and each ball was well thrown.

However, none resulted in completions.

``Donnell made big plays,'' CSUN coach Ron Ponciano said. ``I don't know if it was him (they were picking on). I think it was in the design of the plays. He made three knockdowns and closed on guys, and that's what big-time corners do.''

On the first occasion, Day got his left hand in at the last moment to knock the ball away from Justin Yuille at the CSUN 20. Later on the drive, Day batted the ball away from Yuille near the goal line.

The trifecta was completed in the second quarter when Day had hiplock coverage on Troy Searcy down the sideline.

From then on, Northern Arizona shied away from Day, tilting the field in CSUN's favor.

``Each one kept pushing my confidence higher and higher,'' Day said. ``(The receivers) were telling me, `Good job,' going back to the huddle. It just raised my confidence higher and higher.

``As a DB, you love the one-on-one stuff. That's the game. When you make good plays it excites the defense, and everyone's motor is running. I don't want any help. I don't need it. I can take care of it.''

Indeed, Day did, and suddenly, CSUN safeties Vito Clemente and Jeremy Golden were crouching closer to the defensive line, offering run support.

``We were determined to stop the fade routes, and that's where Donnell did a great job,'' CSUN linebacker Shayne Blakey said. ``When the secondary plays like that, it makes our job easier.''

Funny how the two touted cornerbacks for the Matadors were transfers Mel Miller and Chazz Moore. Yet it was Day who re-established himself as a solid cover man against Northern Arizona.

Injury update: On the bus ride home, the CSUN coaching staff learned of a potentially debilitating injury to the defense. Sophomore middle linebacker Cos Abercrombie was complaining of a sore jaw, and Ponciano said Sunday the jaw was broken.

``That would be a devastating loss. It's a major issue,'' Ponciano said. ``Some guys can play with it, others can't. We have to worry about his health.''

CSUN STATUS REPORT

Game: 2

Result: CSUN 41, N. Arizona 10

Record: 1-1

This week's GPA: 3.08

Cumulative GPA: 2.60

QUARTERBACKS: A-

CSUN's Marcus Brady was the difference in the game as he gave Northern Arizona's defensive line and secondary fits with his scrambling. However, he did hold onto the ball too long a few times, which turned into sacks.

RUNNING BACKS: C

As Northern Arizona tired in the second half, Utah State transfer Melvin Blue became more effective. But the pass set up the run for most of the game.

RECEIVERS: A-

Mike Ogas had a career game with eight catches, and Anthony Ramos even chimed in with a touchdown after Eric Carpenter went down with an early injury.

OFFENSIVE LINE: C

Two of the four sacks Northern Arizona recorded can be attributed to Brady holding the ball too long, but the revamped O-line still had protection problems.

DEFENSIVE LINE: B-

The biggest defensive play was made by nose guard Sean Beard in the third quarter. He stopped option quarterback David Moran on a fourth down, and CSUN rolled from there.

LINEBACKERS: B+

Strong performance for Shayne Blakey, Cos Abercrombie (nine tackles) and Brennen Swanson. Not many missed tackles, which limited Northern Arizona's big plays.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: A-

Northern Arizona tried many times to hit the long pass, but it never happened because of the tight coverage by Donnell Day. The only downside was no interceptions.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B+

Kicker Manny Marquez missed a 53-yard field goal but converted two others, only three of his eight kickoffs were returned and punter Ethan Beck averaged 45 yards on two attempts.

COACHING: B+

Preparation was good and halftime adjustments allowed CSUN to turn a 13-3 game into a rout. In the 7,000-foot altitude, it was Northern Arizona that tired.

- Brian Dohn

CAPTION(S):

Box

BOX: CSUN STATUS REPORT (see text)