CSUN NOTEBOOK: UNOFFICIALLY, CSUN HAS PROBLEMS WITH OFFICIALS.

Byline: Chris Branam Staff Writer

It's not proper protocol for any coach to complain to the media about officiating.

Coaches in professional leagues get fined. College coaches get reprimanded and sometimes suspended.

Which is why Jeff Kearin, Cal State Northridge's interim head coach, holds his tongue, even as the Matadors have become the most penalized team in the Big Sky Conference.

``The perception is that we are physical, borderline to a point where we are too physical,'' Kearin said this week. ``It's frustrating.''

CSUN was called for a season-high 18 penalties (157 yards) in last week's 24-21 win at Montana State. The Matadors (4-3, 3-2) also had 167 yards in penalties against Idaho State on Oct. 2, the most in the conference this season.

In five Big Sky games, the Matadors have been penalized an average 11.6 times. When CSUN played at Kansas in a nonconference game on Sept. 11, the Big 12 officials dropped the flags on Northridge eight times.

Kearin admits the amount of personal fouls CSUN receives, including three at Montana State, leads to the perception of the Matadors as an overly aggressive team.

``I have no tolerance for the personal fouls,'' Kearin said. ``They just hurt us. They are 15-yarders that kill us.''

Precocious freshman: Two strong fourth-quarter plays by safety Bryson Atkins were overshadowed by the circus ending at Montana State, but they bear reviewing.

The Bobcats faced third-and-10 from midfield with six minutes left when Atkins, a freshman from Alemany, timed a blitz perfectly and pressured quarterback Kasey Harte into an incompletion.

Then on fourth-and-10, Atkins tackled Pat Carahasen a yard short of the first down.

``(Atkins) is an integral part of our scheme,'' said defensive coordinator Foster Andersen. ``That tackle he made on fourth down was a great tackle.''

Lost season: Sophomore offensive lineman Joe Bergman found out he severely strained his MCL in practice three weeks ago and is probably done for the season.

Bergman, who started the season's first two games at left guard before suffering a concussion, already redshirted one season. His only hope to regain a year of eligibility is a medical redshirt.

Bad luck: Bergman's had it rough, but so has Julian Sells, a junior defensive back who accidentally ripped open his left arm a month ago in a freak accident in the dorms.

Sells said he was jogging down a hallway when he slipped on the floor and his arm went through the glass encasing a fire extinguisher. He was rushed to Northridge Hospital and found out all the tendons in his arm were cut.

The cuts were so deep that the doctors used medical staples, rather than stitches.

Sells won't return this season.