NORTHRIDGE HOME FREE BRADY SPARKS MATADORS IN NORTH CAMPUS STADIUM'S FINALE CSUN 49, SAC STATE 36.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

Marcus Brady felt right at home.

It might not seem like much to most - the rickety, little old place known as North Campus Stadium - but Brady never felt more comfortable.

The senior quarterback threw for 345 yards and five touchdowns and ran for another score to lead Cal State Northridge to a 49-36 victory over Sacramento State on Saturday.

Brady tied his school record of five touchdown passes on the field CSUN has called home since 1971. North Campus Stadium is scheduled to be demolished next year and it's likely the game was the last for the San Fernando Valley school.

President Jolene Koester is to decide by Thanksgiving whether to accept her athletic director's recommendation to disband the program. If she keeps it, the team will play at Pierce College in Woodland Hills. Northridge has two road games remaining - at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo next week and at Portland State on Nov. 17.

The Matadors (2-6) didn't disappoint the 5,286 who came Saturday - the largest home crowd since 1998.

``After the first series when we went three and out, after that we scored like every time we got the ball,'' Brady said. ``I felt that zone again, where they couldn't stop us. We'd just drive and score every time we got the ball.''

Brady felt the same against the Hornets last year, too, only CSUN lost. Sacramento State survived in a 64-61 shootout, one of the highest-scoring games in college football history. This year, CSUN's prolific offense returned as Brady threw four touchdown passes to four different receivers in the first half and CSUN led 35-7.

And the Matadors defense, which has squandered several fourth-quarter leads this year, held on for the victory.

CSUN allowed 29 points in the second half, including 20 in the fourth quarter, but its season-high 49 points was enough to prevent a comeback.

``That was a great confidence booster,'' said senior linebacker Lewis Blanton, who became CSUN's career tackles leader (with 293). ``We've been giving it up in the fourth quarter. That was good. We showed we can play four quarters. It's too bad it's taken us this long.''

The support of fans might be too late as well. The stadium was unusually packed with alumni, families and former players. Sam Winningham, who was the program's first football coach from 1962-68, was there. Complaints about the high school-style stadium have disappeared now that the program's future is in doubt.

``Our stadium is kind of the laughing stock of all stadiums,'' CSUN coach Jeff Kearin said. ``It's kind of like the ugly mutt dog you've got- you would kill for it. The guys have really bought into this being our home.''

The Matadors played like it, scoring on four of five possessions in the first half. Brady threw touchdown passes of 6, 4, 19 and 21 to D.J. Hackett, Drew Amerson (who became CSUN's career receiving yards leader), Anthony Ramos and Jamaal Perry. Terrelus Wright also scored on a 1-yard run.

The Matadors got the ball back with less than two minutes in the first half after Bryson Atkins - who had three interceptions - tackled Brett Collins for no gain on fourth down. Perry hauled in a 21-yard touchdown reception with 12 seconds left before the half.

Brady, who has taken every snap this year, left the game with 1:15 remaining. Six touchdown passes would've been nice, but he was happy with the standing ovation he received.

``Yes, I did want to get him that touchdown, but I didn't want to do it at the expense of Sac,'' Kearin said. ``He had a typical Marcus Brady day. I didn't realize he had 92 yards rushing. That's amazing. He threw the ball beautifully and made a couple of amazing throws. He went out with style and grace in the last home game.''

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

Cal State Northridge defenders swarm the ball as a Sacramento State helmet goes flying during the Matadors' victory.

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer