VALLEY / VENTURA COUNTY SPORTS : NORTHRIDGE NOTEBOOK : Rodriguez Finds His Slot in Third Year as Matador

Only two people could be found in the Cal State Northridge football coaches’ offices after practice was canceled on a recent hot afternoon.

One of them, an assistant coach, was napping on the floor. The other, Gil Rodriguez, was slumped in front of a television with a VCR remote control in his hands.

Rodriguez, a 5-foot-8, 175-pound junior receiver, stayed to scrutinize video of the morning workout.

“I like to study real hard,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez, who has caught one pass in each of the last two seasons, must be a quick study because he will start at slotback for the Matadors.

Rodriguez has impressed coaches with his ability to make catches in heavy traffic. He will be relied on with the absence of Anthony Ramos, who transferred to Washington State.

“I’m not afraid to go across the middle,” Rodriguez said. “I run precise routes. I like to think that if we need three yards, I’m going to get five.”

Rodriguez transferred from Colorado State to Northridge in 1997.

He’s paid his dues, leading Northridge with 15 special-teams tackles last season.

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It’s difficult to miss Nick Longshore, a 6-6, 265-pound offensive tackle who drives a tiny, bright yellow 1935 Ford truck.

Longshore, a freshman from Canyon High, credits his father for most of the restoration work. The vehicle is in near mint condition.

“Except for the hood,” Longshore said.

Longshore will get his chance to pave the way on the field depending on the performance of transfer Johnny Acosta. Longshore is slated as Acosta’s backup.

“We intend to get him in off the bench,” Coach Jeff Kearin said.

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Jaumal Bradley, DeJuan Gilmore and Alan Taylor rank as the top three running backs entering the opener against Western Oregon on Saturday at North Campus Stadium.

Bradley, a returning starter, will play fullback in two-back formations with Gilmore, a transfer from Washington State.

Freshmen Brandon McElvaine from Highland, Marquis Brignac from Taft and Crayton Milton from St. Francis rank a level below and all might redshirt this season, Kearin said.

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At halftime Saturday, Northridge will resume a popular attraction in which a spectator selected at random is given a chance to win $10,000 in a punt, pass and kick competition.

The trick is to punt, pass and kick the ball, in that order, from one end of the field to the other, culminating with a successful field-goal attempt.

Last year, one fan was successful.