Roberts sees red in 35-21 win

Charles Roberts runs through CSU Northridge Matador defense

No. 32 sophomore running back Charles Roberts amassed 330 all-purpose yards Saturday to earn Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week. Cesar Ramos/State Hornet

By JOSH ELLIS
HORNET STAFF WRITER
Published October 21, 1998

CSUS had a reversal of fortune Saturday night after they stunned the No. 16-ranked Cal State Northridge in front of 5,947 people. Those who attended the Homecoming battle between the Golden Gate teams of the Big Sky left with a sense of pride that reached full potential when players and fans alike sang the team fight song immediately after the game.

No one was prepared for what happened. The Matadors entered the contest undefeated in league play until running back Charles Roberts and the Hornet defense did their impression of "The Running of the Bulls."

Roberts once again carried the load for the CSUS offense by tying the Hornet record for most rushing attempts in a game with 41. The record was held solely by running back Michael Stewart, who set the record during the 1995 season. Roberts also had a career-high four touchdowns and 257 yards rushing, his third 200 -yard- plus game this year.

"I just try to stay consistent and wear defenses out as the game goes on. Most backs tire defenses out by going north and south. I tire defenses by maneuvering all over the place," he said.

Northridge coach Ron Ponciano knew Roberts was key to the Hornets' success. "We understood going into this game that Roberts was probably the best back in the conference," he said. "He's real special because I have never seen anyone improve so drastically in one year."

Northridge started the game off quickly by using a unique offensive formation that gave the Hornets problems. The formation used three wide receivers on one side of the field but were lined up like soldiers in formation from front to back. This alignment caused CSUS to spread their defense and give Matador running back Melvin Blue an 18-yard gallop into the endzone.

The Hornets answered quickly when quarterback A.J. Bernhardt executed a well designed play action pass, leaving Roberts alone down the sidelines for a 27-yard touchdown.

From there, the CSUS defense dominated the Matadors for the rest of the first half. They adjusted to the unique offense of Northridge and started to put pressure on quarterback Marcus Brady.

That is when the Hornet running game took control. The offensive line gave Roberts gave an opening and he did the rest by making the Matadors look foolish after a 31-yard touchdown run to make it 14-7.

CSUS got the ball back again when cornerback Elias Navarro made a diving interception from a poorly-thrown ball by Brady. Backup quarterback Garrett White entered the game when Bernhardt left the field with an injured shoulder, and could only get the ball into field goal range.

On the ensuing attempt Coach Volek called for the old Statue of Liberty play, allowing Roberts to juke a Northridge defender out of his jock and set up an option touchdown run by White from two-yards out. The lead was now increased to 21-7 at halftime and left the Matadors wondering what hit them.

The Hornet defense continued to force the issue at the beginning of the second half when defensive lineman Nick Donati recovered a fumble. On the very next play, Roberts again bedazzled the Matadors by weaving and dodging his way to a 24-yard touchdown, giving CSUS a 28-7 advantage.

Northridge started to wake up in the third quarter. They cut the lead to 28-21 when Blue scored again this time from 15-yards out and Brady hooked up with receiver Aaron Arnold on a four-yard quick slant.

Normally fans would expect CSUS to let it slip away, but not on this night. The defense continued to force turnovers and the Matadors kept making mistakes. Roberts sealed the deal in the fourth quarter after a long, smash mouth drive that ended with his final touchdown of the night this time from four yards.

All together, the Hornet defense forced five turnovers and racked up seven sacks. Linebacker Ryland Wickman led the team with 13 tackles and was pleased with everyone's overall effort. "Our defense played with the velocity we are capable of," he said. "I'm very glad to see it because it gives us confidence for the rest of the year."

Coach Ponciano also was impressed with the Hornets' overall play. "They were phenomenal in all phases of the game, and that is the sign of a good team," he said. "We got our tails kicked because they came to play tonight. They deserve a big round of applause."

Coach Volek was ecstatic after the game. "This was an all-around effort. The defense made big plays, Roberts and the offensive line controlled the ball and Garrett White answered the bell tonight," he said. "This is one of the biggest wins for our program. We are still in the Big Sky race."