CSUN VS. PORT. ST.: A CLOSER LOOK : CSUN PROF GETS INTO THE SPORTS GAME.

Cal State Northridge athletic director Paul Bubb was aware that university professor Jack Foley had prepared ``An Analysis of CSUN Athletics, Big Sky And Big West Conferences'' that was passed out to students on campus Friday. Why Foley bothered to do it, however, was a question that the Matadors' AD couldn't answer.

Foley's report concluded that four men's sports cut by CSUN and later reinstated this year could be permanently saved and meet budget and gender equity requirements. The leisure studies and recreation department teacher also concluded that CSUN was better suited for the Big West Conference. Also, Foley reported that the Big West, which includes such local schools as Cal State Fullerton, UC Irvine and Long Beach State, is interested in the Matadors joining.

The Northridge Sports Task Force on Intercollegiate Athletics, which is also trying to analyze CSUN's sports situation, will receive the report in its meeting Monday night.

``I'm looking forward to reading this report and I haven't had a chance to see it yet,'' said Bubb on Saturday in the Civic Stadium press box before the game. ``I'm not sure what impact it could have on our athletic program. I'm not sure that I understand the importance of it when a task force has been formed to attack this issue.''

Baldwin frustrated: A while before CSUN was played in Portland on Saturday, ex-Matador coach Dave Baldwin (1995-96) and his San Jose State Spartans were an hour and a half down the road in Corvallis playing Oregon State. The result for the Spartans was a 26-12 loss that dropped the school to 0-5 in Baldwin's first season.

Earlier last week, Baldwin blasted his quarterbacks and blamed them for much of the Spartans' struggles. He has also said that SJSU would be much better if CSUN's Aaron Flowers, who is out until probably with a right-leg fracture, transferred to be his quarterback. Moreover, it has been rumored that the coach has privately said that CSUN could beat his new Division I-A school.

``Do we have talent?,'' asked Baldwin during a teleconference earlier last week. ``No. We're not at the level of talent that I think it takes to compete at this level.''

Etc.: CSUN strong safety John Dagata and PSU cornerback Rob Johnson were both ejected for fighting in the third quarter during a Vikings kickoff. . . . CSUN wide receiver Aaron Arnold left the game in the second quarter with a sprained right ankle.

THE HERO

Portland State tailback Charles Dunn: The redshirt freshman from Pasadena Muir High entered the game with 206 yards and a touchdown on 43 carries in four games this season. Against CSUN, the 18-year-old earned 250 yards and three touchdowns on 41 carries.

THE GOAT

CSUN's rush defense: The Matadors entered the game just seventh in rushing defense in the Big Sky after allowing 194.5 yards a game that was 93rd in Division I-AA. Although improvement was expected against Portland State, the Vikings had 276 yards rushing and averaged 5.4 yards per carry.

STAT OF THE GAME

After four previous games, Portland State entered the CSUN battle with no points in the first half and a 10.7 points per game average. The Vikings, however, scored seven points in the first quarter and 10 points in the second. Portland State's total of 17 points easily eclipsed its pre-game points per game average.

QUOTE OF THE GAME

``(The loss) was the toughest thing I ever had to watch. It was the first time that I didn't have control (on the football field) and it sucked.''

-- Aaron Flowers, who sat out with a broken leg