INTRASTATE RIVALRY BREWING; CSUN IS MIFFED BY SACRAMENTO ST. SLIGHT.

Byline: Marc J. Spears Daily News Staff Writer

The Dodgers and San Francisco Giants have been intense rivals since their days in New York. UCLA and USC have been bitter rivals for many years.

But Cal State Northridge and Sacramento State? Well, let's just say this one has growth potential.

On Monday, Sacramento State football coach John Volek said his team has been through ``murderers' row'' by playing five nationally ranked teams in six weeks and ``the top three teams'' in the Big Sky in Montana, Eastern Washington and Northern Arizona.

He also said Sacramento's goal is ``to become the Florida State (of California)'' and it wants to be ``California's superior Division I team.'' In so many words, he also classified Northridge (3-4, 1-2 Big Sky) on the lower end of the Big Sky and the game Saturday at CSUN as a break in the Hornets' schedule.

Northridge coach Jim Fenwick said, ``We're still not getting the respect that we'd like. They keep mentioning that they've played three of the top five teams in the conference already. Now it's like they get a chance to play Northridge. That bothers me.''

Traditionally in football, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has been Northridge's rival; UC Davis has been Sacramento's. But because the two schools are both in their second season of the Big Sky and the only two California State Universities in the conference, a start of a new in-state rivalry might be brewing.

``I think the rivalry is there,'' said Volek, whose team is 1-5, 1-3. ``You have the two Cal State Universities, this is the North versus the South. We like the history in that situation. We think the Blue (North) won that battle.''

San Jose State first-year football coach Dave Baldwin, CSUN's coach from 1995-96, said he and Volek tried to get it called the intrastate game and get Amtrac to sponsor it, but neither materialized. Also, the ex-Northridge football player (1975-77) believes that owning the bragging rights is key for recruiting.

But not everybody is getting caught up in the rivalry. Sacramento State graduate and ex-basketball player Jeff Logan said he will be at the Lakers exhibition game Saturday instead of attending CSUN's homecoming game. The Pasadena resident also said interest won't arrive until both schools have better football programs and facilities.

``Until those schools get an infusion of cash, they are going to be on the lower end of Division I like Lehigh (University),'' said Logan, who graduated in 1989. ``Fresno State, San Diego State and San Jose State have upgraded their facilities. Why not Northridge and Sac State?''

Both schools are around 20 scholarships from matching their Big Sky foes, who are allowed to have 63. But they are expected to increase to 63 in the coming years and improve their facilities. Also, with California being a hot recruiting base for the Big Sky, more scholarships should keep the better players at home.

In essence, the chance of a rivalry is bright if things are done right.

``My sister (Jessica) goes to Sac State and she is in graduate school there

in psychology,'' CSUN wide receiver Drew Hill said. ``So there is kind of a rivalry right there. (Sacramento State) called me, but they weren't really interested because they said I lacked size and speed. So there has always been a rivalry with just myself.

``I could see a rivalry forming in the next couple of years. With the amount of athletes in California, Northridge and Sac State will eventually become the powerhouses in the Big Sky like Northern Arizona and Montana are right now.''

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Photo

Photo: Among the players the Matadors must stop Saturday is Hornets running back Charles Roberts.

Associated Press