DAY HAS ARRIVED; NORTHRIDGE CORNERBACK INVITED TO PLAY IN HULA BOWL.

Byline: Brian Dohn Daily News Staff Writer

Three days after Cal State Northridge lost to Idaho State, a devastating loss that cost the Matadors a football playoff berth, cornerback Donnell Day was back at work.

Back running. Back lifting.

He did it not to get ready for next season but rather in hopes he would get the type of message he received this weekend. Organizers from the Hula Bowl called and invited Day to participate in Saturday's senior all-star game in Kahului, Hawaii, at 1 p.m. on ESPN.

``For me, it's a chance to play with a lot of guys you see playing all the time,'' Day said Monday via telephone shortly after arriving at his hotel. ``I want to show I can play with the big dogs and this gives me an opportunity. Pretty much, I'm here to show the scouts I can play.''

In helping resurrect CSUN's football program, Day tied for the team lead with three interceptions. He also had 32 tackles and was second on the Matadors with six pass break-ups.

Day, a 5-foot-10, 185-pounder from Morse High in San Diego, will play for Michigan coach Lloyd Carr on the North squad.

``I don't get that,'' Day said. ``A friend of mine, Rashard Cook from USC, is on the South team. We played together in high school and he was looking for me, saying, `Hey, I thought we were going to get to play together.' I guess not.''

Though the game is Saturday, the most important aspect of Day's weeklong Hawaii vacation begins today and runs through Friday. That's when NFL scouts, stopwatches in hand, evaluate practice.

``I know they come to watch the DBs and wide receivers go one-on-one,'' said Day, who's been working out at Mesa Junior College. ``I know I'm in good shape and I'm ready for this. I was watching the Blue-Gray game and I said, `Hey, I can play with these guys.' Now I get a chance.''

CSUN coach Ron Ponciano spent the last two weeks speaking with Hula Bowl representatives about getting Day into the game. Originally, Day was an alternate, but after several players dropped out, Day was placed on the active roster.

``It shows where Northridge is starting to get to when you can get a kid in an all-star game like that,'' CSUN offensive coordinator Rob Phenicie said. ``It's great for exposure and it's great for the kid. What's also nice is Donnell is a great student. He's one of the higher GPAs on the team.''

Day, who played with the Matadors for three seasons, had a 3.8 GPA in the fall semester and has fulfilled his academic requirements as a psychology major.

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Photo: DONNELL DAY

The CSUN senior will get a chance to impress NFL scouts during his week in Hawaii.