GAME DAY

NCAA DIVISION I-AA

* IDAHO STATE (2-1, 1-1) vs. CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE (1-2, 0-1)

At North Campus Stadium, 3:05 p.m.

Northridge can’t afford another early season loss, especially at home against a team with a 10-game road losing streak. Northridge pulled out a 41-27 victory against the Bengals last season at North Campus after trailing, 17-12, at halftime. But the Matadors showed they are far from favorites on their home field after blowing a 24-21 lead against Northern Arizona two weeks ago and losing, 49-26. Northridge has lost two in a row at home and five of six dating to October. The Matadors are coming off a bye, while Idaho State last week recorded an emotional 41-39 victory over Sacramento State, recovering a fumble by Charles Roberts at the goal line in the final minutes. Nick Whitworth was chosen Big Sky player of the week after rushing for a season-high 134 yards and catching a 10-yard pass for the winning score against Sacramento. Marcus Brady passed for 333 yards and three touchdowns last season against the Bengals. Brady has started slowly but showed glimpses of good things to come with a 352-yard performance against Northern Arizona two weeks ago. Brady has passed for 588 yards and four touchdowns but has thrown six interceptions. Drew Amerson, the Matadors’ top receiver, is questionable because of a hyper-extended right knee. Northridge ranks eighth in the Big Sky in offense and last in defense.

DIVISION III

* CHAPMAN (1-2) vs. CAL LUTHERAN (0-2)

At Mt. Clef Stadium, Thousand Oaks, 1 p.m.

Cal Lutheran, mired in a five-game losing streak after a 38-31 loss to Redlands in a SCIAC opener, plays its home opener and the first of four in a row at Mt. Clef Stadium. Three are nonconference games. Dorian Stitt rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns against Redlands, but it marked the first time in six games the Kingsmen lost while Stitt, formerly of Royal High, topped the 100-yard plateau. Junior Chris Czernek, from Newbury Park High, is Cal Lutheran’s offensive catalyst but has faced a heavy rush in both games. Czernek was sacked four times by Redlands and threw two interceptions. He also passed for 249 yards and his first two touchdowns. Ryan Geisler kicked the 27th field goal of his career for Redlands, moving him to second place on the school list behind William Robinson, who had 28 from 1967-70.

JUNIOR COLLEGE

* HANCOCK (3-0, 1-0) vs. CANYONS (3-0, 1-0)

At Canyons, 7 p.m.

Canyons’ explosive offense meets Hancock’s stingy defense. The Cougars lead the Western State Conference with 453.6 yards per game, including 311.0 through the air. The Bulldogs are allowing 124.7 yards per game and are particularly tough to run against, holding opponents to minus-three yards rushing. Freshman David Parker passed for 221 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for another, in Canyons’ 40-14 victory over Glendale last week. Hancock, defending WSC Northern Division co-champion, escaped against Ventura, 29-23, last week after leading 23-2. Hancock is averaging 261.0 yards, fourth-lowest production in the conference. Hancock is ranked No. 5 in the state by the J.C. Athletic Bureau and Canyons is No. 9. Hancock defeated Canyons, 52-50, last year.

* MOORPARK (2-1, 1-0) vs. VENTURA (1-2, 0-1)

At Ventura High, 7 p.m.

The battle for county supremacy is waged this year by teams that are not exactly manhandling anyone. Moorpark, aided by four interceptions, last week held on against Pierce, 21-15. Ventura rallied from a 23-2 deficit but fell at Hancock, 29-23. Despite those interceptions against Pierce, Moorpark’s defense is porous. The Raiders are yielding 379.3 yards per game. But it doesn’t face a stiff threat from a Ventura offense that is averaging 232.3 yards. Moorpark won last year, 58-33.

* OTHER GAMES:

Junior college: 1 p.m.--Valley (1-2, 1-0) vs. Glendale (1-2, 0-1) at Glendale High; 7 p.m.--Santa Barbara (0-3, 0-1) at Pierce (0-3, 0-1); Desert (2-1, 1-0) at Antelope Valley (1-2, 0-1).