CSUN NOTEBOOK : BALDWIN MEETS HIS NEW PLAYERS.

It was all rookies.

Not even the transfers who participated in spring drills practiced Monday as the Cal State Northridge football team opened workouts on an oppressively hot afternoon.

But the guy who looked as if he was on a football field for the first time was head coach Dave Baldwin.

Like a kid at Disneyland deciding which ride to go on first, Baldwin bounced from group to group wearing a smile as wide as his face as he watched the 44 newcomers to his program in their first practice as a group.

``This is huge,'' he said. ``This is a great day.''

Meaning no disrespect to the returning players, who begin practice Thursday, offensive coordinator Jeff Kearin explained the staff's excitement.

``This is the team,'' he said of the new players.

As many as 14 starting positions could be filled by players who were not on the team last season. Considering last season's 2-8 record, that should only mean good things.

And the newest Matadors know it.

There was an air of enthusiasm and confidence apparent even on the sideline Monday.

``With the transfers and the (Division) I guys we've got here I think we're going to surprise a lot of people,'' said safety Steve Standifer, a senior transfer who started eight games for Western Athletic Conference champion Colorado State last season. ``(People) are thinking this is last year's team. It's not.''

Looking good: A sign Monday that made Baldwin confident his second season will be more enjoyable than his first:

``The offensive line coach isn't bigger than all the linemen.''

Another:

``I actually knew the players.''

Baldwin was hired in June of 1995, held no spring practice and had to get to know his players in the fall.

Moving on up: When freshman cornerback Bishop Miller was recruited by Cal and Colorado State and decided to stick with Northridge, Baldwin really thought he had something.

But Monday morning, Miller got an offer he could not refuse from the University of Washington and decided to become a Huskie.

It was a blow to the Matadors defense, for sure, but Baldwin put his patented happy spin on the loss.

``He almost chose us over Washington,'' Baldwin said. ``Actually to be considered in that mold. . . . Last year we were losing kids to JCs, and this year we're losing them to Washington. Pretty good, isn't it?''

Missing QB: Scott Swartz, a junior transfer who is expected to battle for the starting quarterback job, reported Monday morning for his physical and to pick up his uniform, and he was at a 1:30 p.m. team meeting. But he was not at practice.

Immediately after practice, Baldwin said he had ``no idea'' where Swartz was.

``I hope he just fell asleep in his dorm room,'' Baldwin said. ``He just drove down from (San Jose) today.''

Actually, Swartz was in the dorm. But he wasn't sleeping the whole time. He found assistant coach Ron Ponciano after practice and told him he got sick and had been throwing up. Kearin said losing one's lunch was a legitimate excuse and Swartz would not be penalized.

New kid: With Swartz out, freshman Ryan Smith took advantage of the extra work Monday and surprised Baldwin.

``I was really impressed with Ryan Smith,'' Baldwin said. ``He throws the ball real well. I didn't know how talented he really was. He's going to push these kids right off the bat.''

That would make five contenders for the starting quarterback spot.

Big man: Aaron Flowers was almost unrecognizable Monday to people who had not seen him since last season, when he led Valley College to an 11-1 record and the junior college national-championship game.

Flowers, listed as the No. 3 quarterback but considered by many to be the front-runner for the starting job, has gained almost 20 pounds of what appeared to be all muscle and is carrying 200 pounds on his 6-foot frame.

He will battle Swartz, Smith and returning players Derek Brown and Josh Fiske for the No. 1 job.