Northridge Holds Going-Away Party

In what seemed like a festive going-away party for the Cal State Northridge football program, the struggling Matadors didn’t spoil the occasion.

In front of 5,286 at North Campus Stadium, Northridge rode five touchdown passes by Marcus Brady to a 49-36 victory over Cal State Sacramento on Saturday afternoon.

It may have been the last home game for the Matadors (2-6), who await a decision later this month by university President Jolene Koester on the fate of the 40-year-old program.

Koester and Athletic Director Dick Dull, who recommended dissolving the program to offset a $725,000 department deficit, were in attendance.

The Matadors play at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on Saturday and at Portland State on Nov. 17.

“It’s amazing what a little attention gets you,” Northridge Coach Jeff Kearin joked. “It was nice to see some of the older fans out here. I don’t know why we think this thing is so unimportant that we can just dismiss it.”

Brady, coming to the end of a stellar four-year career, threw for 345 yards and ran for 92 and one touchdown. Brady’s five scoring passes tied a career-high set against San Luis Obispo on Nov. 11, 2000.

Brady, who has 2,594 yards passing and 28 touchdowns this season, holds nearly every major career Matador passing record.

“It felt real good,” Brady said of the crowd, the largest at Northridge since 1998. “It reminded me of my freshman year when we were winning.”

Northridge built a 35-7 halftime lead.

Brady threw touchdown passes to four receivers in the half, including Drew Amerson, who had 11 receptions for 159 yards and two touchdowns.