CSUN NOTEBOOK: BRADLEY HOSPITALIZED : RUNNING BACK LOSES 18 POUNDS DUE TO INFECTION.

Byline: Chris Branam Staff Writer

Maybe it isn't tonsillitis that is keeping Jaumal Bradley off the football field. Bradley's medical condition has become serious.

Bradley, Cal State Northridge's starting tailback, has been admitted to St. Francis Hospital in Lynwood because his throat has become so swollen he can't eat solid food. Bradley didn't play last week in CSUN's 48-41 loss at Eastern Washington and isn't going to play Saturday against Idaho State at North Campus Stadium.

``(Bradley) took tests for strep throat, mono and a throat culture last Thursday,'' said CSUN interim head coach Jeff Kearin. ``It's turned out to be a viral infection. (Our doctors) have been mistreating him for six days. We've been pumping him full of antibiotics for nothing.''

Bradley, whose playing weight is between 215 and 210 pounds, has lost 18 pounds since his illness began. With 198 yards in the Matadors' first two games, he was on pace for a 1,000-yard season.

``He was here two days ago and looked 100 percent better,'' Kearin said. ``He's lost so much weight. . .he looks like a different guy.''

Kearin is not only concerned about Bradley's health. Bradley could be contagious, and he went with the team on the trip to Eastern Washington.

The timetable for Bradley's return could be two weeks or a month, depending on the seriousness of his infection.

``My big thing is how quickly he will regain the weight,'' Kearin said. ``I'll be very happy if he's back in two games.''

Ending it: Two Matadors quit the team Tuesday - junior defensive lineman Eric Falconer and junior defensive back Jermaine Hunsaker. Neither is a starter.

Falconer has had knee problems for two years and he hardly practiced this fall. Hunsaker, a transfer from Washington State, played sparingly in three games, recording three tackles.

Happy return: Back in action Thursday was offensive lineman Ernie Fierro, who had been out two weeks with a back injury. Fierro, a 300-pound junior transfer from Nevada, gives the Matadors depth; CSUN took only eight healthy offensive linemen to Eastern Washington.

Even better: It was reported Thursday that CSUN quarterback Marcus Brady is leading the Big Sky in total offense. Brady is also No. 1 in total offense in Division I-AA.

Almost as good: Wide receiver Aaron Arnold, who broke the Matadors' school record for career receiving yards last week, leads the conference in receptions per game (8.7 average) and is second in yards (296).

Back for more: Idaho State quarterback Kevin McCarthy is making an unlikely start against CSUN.

McCarthy, a junior, lost his job in fall camp to Shane Griggs, a transfer from South Carolina. Griggs tore the ACL in his right knee against Ft. Lewis on Sept. 11, however, and is out for the season. McCarthy, who started the Bengals' last six games in '98 and threw for 823 yards, won't be asked to do much against CSUN, however, because junior tailback Nick Whitworth is second in the conference in rushing yards (625).

CSUN is last in Division I-AA in run defense.

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Photo

Photo: CSUN running back Jaumal Bradley was misdiagnosed with tonsillitis but has a viral infection. His throat has swelled up and he can't eat.

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer