CSUN NOTEBOOK: MATADORS BRACE FOR MORE OFFENSE.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

The last thing the Cal State Northridge defense needs is another challenge. But that's exactly what it expects to get from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

CSUN (3-6) is recovering from a wild 64-61 loss to Sacramento State last Saturday, when it allowed 535 yards in an uncharacteristic performance.

The Matadors can prove last week's collapse was a fluke if they can contain the high-powered Mustangs (3-6) in a nonconference game Saturday at North Campus Stadium. It's CSUN's final home game of the season.

``My thought is they've got a fabulous offense,'' CSUN coach Jeff Kearin said. ``I think it's really going to be an entertaining game. They've really racked up some yards and points against some really good teams. They've played a competitive schedule. They've played Hofstra, Montana and UC Davis.''

CSUN's secondary must find a way to deal with receiver Kassim Osgood, who has 66 catches for 1,096 yards and 11 touchdowns. Osgood had 17 receptions for 376 yards and two touchdowns in Cal Poly's 43-41 loss to Northern Iowa last week.

Last week, Matadors defensive coaches had to focus on tailback Charles Roberts, who had 159 yards on 33 carries and two touchdowns. This week, it's Osgood.

``We'll just try to mix things up and keep (Osgood) and their quarterback (Seth Burford) off balance,'' Kearin said. ``At the very least we'll have to bring the threat of pressure and bring some pressure. He's going to have his catches and that's OK. Again, like with Charles Roberts, we've got to keep him under control.''

The Mustangs average 391.2 yards per game behind Burford, who has thrown for 22 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He's completed 150 of 262 passes for 2,312 yards. But the Mustangs also give up 488.6 yards per game and the Matadors had 611 yards against the Hornets.

--Local ties: Cal Poly has 11 local players on its roster. The last time the teams played, CSUN lost 49-7 in 1995.

``They recruited a lot of our players and they're so close to us in the state,'' Kearin said. ``I think the kids are really excited about this game.''

--Run for the record books: Sacramento State running back Roberts needs 32 yards to surpass Ron Dayne (Wisconsin) to be become the Division I career-rushing leader with 6,366 yards.

--Big Sky awards: Sacramento State quarterback Ricky Ray was named the Big Sky offensive player of the week. Ray threw for 344 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another three against CSUN. Teammate Lamont Webb was named the special-teams player of the week. Webb returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown.

--Top honors: Montana moved to No. 1 in the three Division I-AA polls after top-ranked Georgia Southern and second-ranked Delaware lost. CSUN lost to Montana 34-30 on Oct. 14.