Matadors Kick Bad Habit

BOSEMAN, Mont. — Aaron Arnold began the game Saturday at Montana State in uniform, representing Cal State Northridge in the pregame coin toss.

Arnold soon proved he wasn’t all dressed up with no place to go. The Matadors’ career receiving leader, who separated his right shoulder two weeks ago against Montana, made his first reception--a three-yard grab from quarterback Marcus Brady--late in the first quarter.

Arnold followed with two seven-yard receptions in the first half. But after landing hard on his tender shoulder, Arnold was headed for the showers. He watched the second half from the sidelines, wearing sweats.

Arnold was expected to miss at least three games. But the decision to return early, a matter of debate among Arnold and coaches, proved a success.

“I don’t think I did any it any damage,” said Arnold, who expects to play next Saturday against Weber State.

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Derek Brown, the smallest player on the Northridge roster, had a big day against the Bobcats.

Brown, a freshman kicker from Highland High, kicked field goals of 37, 29 and 37 yards in the first half to extend the Matadors’ lead to 16-0.

Three field goals are a career high for Brown, who is 5 feet 9, 150 pounds. His 44-yard attempt in the fourth quarter, which would have tied a school record, was blocked.

“That was a horrible kick,” Brown said. “I’m glad it didn’t affect the game.”

Brown could relate to Montana State’s Carson Souter, whose 48-yard field-goal attempt with six seconds to play missed wide right, preserving a 24-21 Northridge win.

“I’m used to that pressure,” Brown said. “So, I know what he felt like.”

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Brennen Swanson, who this season became Northridge’s career sack leader, recorded two of the Matadors’ six sacks against the Bobcats. But Swanson, a senior linebacker and defensive end, also recorded the second interception of his four-year Matador career.

Too bad it didn’t amount to anything.

Swanson made a leaping grab of a Kasey Harte pass near the line of scrimmage at the Northridge 20-yard line during a third-quarter blitz. With no one between himself and the goal line, Swanson stumbled his way to a two-yard return.

Four plays later, Northridge punted.

“I don’t know what happened,” Swanson said. “I tripped myself.”

He was happier about finally defeating Montana State in his fourth try. “I’ve been here four years and we’ve never beaten them,” Swanson said. “Coming up here I thought, ‘We gotta win. We gotta beat them.’ ”