CSUN NOTEBOOK: DID SOMEBODY SAY CSUN?Byline: Marc J. Spears Daily News Staff Writer Upon entering a Northridge McDonald's restaurant almost two weeks ago, Cal State Northridge football coach Ron Ponciano saw a familiar face behind the cash register. No, it wasn't an old buddy who could slip the first-year coach a free Big Mac. It was Enrique Velasquez, a 6-foot, 210-pound Notre Dame Notre Dame IPA: [nɔtʁ dam] is French for Our Lady, referring to the Virgin Mary. In the United States of America, Notre Dame High graduate who was a freshman walk-on defensive end for the Matadors last season before quitting the team for personal reasons. After making his order, Ponciano convinced Velasquez, who is still enrolled at CSUN CSUN California State University Northridge , to return to the team. Velasquez received his equipment the next day and was able to work out a schedule with McDonald's that would not interfere with school and practice. Velasquez was the surprise of Saturday's scrimmage as he earned 2-1/2 sacks. ``Crazier things have happened, but it's funny,'' said Ponciano about the McDonald's encounter. ``(Velasquez) was selling burgers and now he is leading us in sacks. Maybe I should recruit at McDonald's more often.'' The Matadors will scrimmage again on their practice field at 10 a.m. Saturday. Big addition: During Saturday's scrimmage, Utah State offensive guard Mike Lindsay watched his former teammate Melvin Blue run through a new line. Blue, who was a third-team All-Big West selection last season, transferred from Division I-A Utah State to Division I-AA Northridge this semester se·mes·ter n. One of two divisions of 15 to 18 weeks each of an academic year. [German, from Latin (cursus) s and is probably the leading candidate to be a starter at running back next season. The Matadors haven't had someone rush for more than 700 yards during the last four seasons, but their coaches have vowed to run a lot more this season. Last season, Blue rushed 149 times for 741 yards and nine touchdowns for the Aggies. ``There is no limit for expectations for (Blue) down here,'' Lindsay said. ``He has already been to the top and (Division I-AA) is slower. Once he gets adjusted to being at Northridge, the coaches will see it was the smartest addition they made to the team. He will get over 1,000 yards.'' Blue has strong competition from fellow transfers Jamaul Bradley (Mt. San Antonio College Mt. San Antonio College (commonly called Mt. SAC; pronounced as the word "sack") is a community college located in the Los Angeles suburb of Walnut, California, next to California State Polytechnic University, Pomona which is just over a hill. Mt. ) and Josh Hawkins (Hawaii), a 6-1, 237-pound bulldozing back who needs to drop some weight to be more effective. On the sidelines On the sidelines An investor who decides not to invest due to market uncertainty. on the sidelines Of or relating to investors who, having assessed the market, have decided to avoid committing their funds. : After the 1996 season, CSUN wide receiver Cameron Perry received All-Big Sky honors. Last season, however, the team's top returner in receptions was ineligible for academic reasons and was a redshirt senior. Perry still isn't eligible to practice this spring, but he is trying to become cleared for the fall. While Ponciano said it won't be easy for Perry to become eligible, he said Perry hasn't missed any classes, is doing his schoolwork and is receiving help from tutors. ``One of the best receivers in the Big Sky is trying to get off the chopping block,'' Ponciano said. ``It is basically all on him. If he gets his work done, we'll have a chance to get him back.'' Friendly advice: Dave Levy, a former USC An abbreviation for U.S. Code. defensive coordinator A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a football team in the National Football League or college football who is in charge of the defense. This position aids the head coach a great deal in many ways by delegating play calling to other coaches and allowing the head and Detroit Lions offensive coordinator An offensive coordinator typically refers to the coach on a football team in the National Football League or College football who is in charge of the offense. This position aids the head coach by designing and scripting plays, delegating work to offensive position coaches during , critiqued Saturday's scrimmage at Ponciano's request. After seeing the offense getting constantly beat on the blitz, Levy told Ponciano the defense seems more advanced and they may need to lay off the blitz so the quarterbacks can work on their reads and the wide receivers can better determine the coverage. Ponciano, a former San Jose San Jose, city, United States San Jose (sănəzā`, săn hōzā`), city (1990 pop. 782,248), seat of Santa Clara co., W central Calif.; founded 1777, inc. 1850. State and CSUN defensive coordinator, reluctantly decided Levy's advice was best. ``Most defenses aren't as aggressive as we are,'' Ponciano said. ``But the coaching staff felt it was best for our team concept to develop the offense. We proved we can move and blitz well, but our offense has suffered.'' 1998 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Sept. 5 Boise St. 6:05 p.m. Sept. 19 Northern Arizona Northern Arizona is dominated by the Colorado Plateau, the southern border of which in Arizona is called the Mogollon Rim. In the West lies the Grand Canyon, which was cut by the flow of the Colorado River while the land slowly rose around it. (x) 5:05 p.m. Sept. 26 EASTERN WASHINGTON
Oct. 3 SOUTHERN UTAH 3 p.m. Oct. 10 MONTANA (x) 3 p.m. Oct. 17 Sacramento St. (x) 6:05 p.m. Oct. 24 MONTANA ST. (xx) 3 p.m. Oct. 31 Weber St. (x) 12:05 p.m. Nov. 7 PORTLAND ST. (x) 3 p.m. Nov. 14 SW Missouri St. 11 a.m. Nov. 21 Idaho St. (x) 5:35 p.m. Home games in CAPS All times Pacific (x) Big Sky Conference games (xx) Homecoming Homecoming Odyssey concerning Odysseus’s difficulties in getting home after war. [Gk. Myth.: Odyssey] You Can’t Go Home Again revisiting his home town, a writer is disillusioned by what he sees. [Am. Lit. game CAPTION(S): Box BOX: 1998 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE (see text) |
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