CSUN NOTEBOOK: NAU OFFERS ACID TEST.

Byline: Brian Dohn Daily News Staff Writer

The way to get respect in the Big Sky Conference, not to mention Division I-AA, is to win at the Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff, Ariz.

Since his days as defensive coordinator at Cal State Northridge, Ron Ponciano has known this.

Now, as first-year coach of the Matadors, Ponciano has the opportunity to jump into prominence, not to mention grab a monumental first win.

``Northern Arizona has been our measuring stick here,'' Ponciano said. ``Three years ago, they just embarrassed us. They could have possibly beaten us 90-0 (instead of 68-7). Two years ago, we went up there . . . and had a chance to beat them (but lost 32-14). And last year, we beat them here.

``It'll be a big step for us to go up there and get a victory because not many people go up there and get a victory in that dome.''

Since 1994, the Lumberjacks are 21-5 at the dome, which includes a 12-3 mark in the Big Sky. But a win would also aid CSUN greatly in its attempt to rise beyond the middle of the conference.

Not only would a win Saturday against No. 13 NAU (2-0) mark the highest-ranked opponent CSUN (0-1) has beaten, but it would also mark the first time CSUN would win at NAU in 30 years.

``I've always known NAU to be at the top of the conference, so if you play NAU, Montana or Eastern Washington, that's how you measure yourself,'' CSUN senior safety Vito Clemente said. ``They've been so dominant in the league, and they've been respected. We're trying to get respect for our program, and the way you do that is by beating teams that have respect.''

Backup QB to start The left, non-throwing elbow of NAU quarterback Travis Brown hasn't responded to treatment in the way the Lumberjacks coaching staff hoped, so word out of Flagstaff on Thursday was that he would begin the day on the bench.

Instead, sophomore Clay Brown, also the punter, will make his second career start. This season he's completed 5 of 7 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown.

``You kind of get a little bit more excited knowing he's going to be out there and he's going to be a little unsure of himself,'' Clemente said. ``If we don't give him any confidence early we're going to take him out of the game.''

Also, one player that impressed the CSUN coaching staff on film won't be in the NAU lineup. Tight end Nate Foreman, a transfer from Brigham Young, was suspended prior to last weekend's game against Southwest Texas State for violating team rules. It's questionable whether he'll return to NAU any time this season, school officials said.

Another transfer J.T. Stone played at Santa Barbara City College, went on to Division II West Texas A&M, and has now landed at CSUN. Stone, a quarterback, has a nice touch and a strong arm but is ineligible this season since he transferred up a level to Division I-AA. He was cleared to practice earlier in the week but won't make any road trips.

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Photo: CLAY BROWN

Because of an injury to starting QB Travis Brown, the sophomore is expected to face CSUN.