Probable Starters

OFFENSE

Aaron Flowers, quarterback, 6-0, 185, Sr.

Garnered Division I-AA All-American honors last season after setting four school season records, including 3,540 yards passing and 30 touchdowns. Passed for 300-plus yards in six games. Needs 933 yards to become Northridge’s career leader.

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Norman Clarke, running back, 6-0, 205, Sr.

Northridge’s top ground gainer in 1996 with 690 yards and 11 touchdowns. Averaged five yards per carry. Rushed for a season-high 171 yards in a 35-28 victory over Weber State.

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Brian Comer, wide receiver, 5-10, 185, Sr.

Transfer from California who holds the career receiving record at Valley College with 139 receptions in 1993-94. Scored 26 touchdowns for the Monarchs. Played quarterback at Chatsworth High.

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Aaron Arnold, wide receiver, 6-1, 185, So.

Played in only four games last season, making nine receptions for 149 yards. Had six catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns in a 49-27 victory over Eastern Washington. Played at Monroe High.

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Drew Hill, wide receiver, 6-0, 180, Jr.

Played for former Northridge Coach Dave Baldwin at Santa Rosa College as a freshman in 1994. Caught 35 passes for 650 yards the following season.

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Mike Ogas, wide receiver, 6-3, 205, Jr.

Caught 46 passes for 544 yards and three touchdowns last season at Rancho Santiago College, now Santa Ana College. His father, Dave, is the Santa Ana coach and played for the Oakland Raiders.

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Jake Brinton, left tackle, 6-3, 270, Jr.

Coming off a redshirt season. Was an All-Coast Conference selection at Hartnell College in Salinas. Also played tight end for the Panthers.

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Paul Sauter, left guard, 6-1, 295, Sr.

Fifth-year senior who last season played various positions on the offensive line before finishing as the top right guard on the depth chart. Played at Alemany High.

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David Joralemon, center, 6-1, 300, Sr.

Key component in an offensive line that allowed only 21 sacks. Had a reception when he caught a deflected pass in a 42-40 victory over Idaho State.

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Toma Popescu, right guard, 6-3, 300, Sr.

Former junior college All-American, settled in last year at left guard for the Matadors.

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Brian Hubinger, right tackle, 6-4, 255, Fr.

Only freshman starter on either side of the ball. Was a redshirt last season. Played at Arcadia High, where he earned All-Pacific League honors as a senior in 1996.

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Manny Marquez, kicker, 5-2, 145, Jr.

Was eight for 12 on field-goal attempts and 43 of 49 on extra-point attempts. Made a career-best 49-yard field goal in a 33-0 victory over New Mexico State.

DEFENSE

Dan Lazarovits, defensive end, 6-4, 246, Sr.

Had 38 tackles last season, eighth highest on the team. Recorded eight tackles and one sack in a 24-17 loss to Montana State. Played at Taft High.

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Pete Silvey, defensive tackle, 6-3, 255, Jr.

Played in only three games last year before breaking his right foot. Finished with seven tackles and one sack.

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Ronald Aumua, defensive tackle, 6-1, 275, Sr.

Starter at nose guard most of last season. Had 31 tackles, including six against Idaho State.

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Brett Nordyke, defensive end, 6-4, 230, Jr.

Transfer from Fresno State who practiced but did not play with the Bulldogs last season. Had 19 sacks at Valley College in 1994-95. Played at Crespi High.

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Kaleon Green, linebacker, 6-2, 225, Jr.

Was an All-Western State Conference second-team selection last season at West L.A. College. *

Marc Goodson, linebacker, 6-2, 235, Sr.

Division I-AA All-American who established Northridge season records with 150 tackles and 78 assisted tackles. Registered double figures in tackles in 10 games.

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Franck Pace, linebacker, 6-1, 226, Sr.

Part-time starter last season. Finished with 27 tackles, including eight in a 46-14 victory over Portland State.

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Bennie Herron, cornerback, 5-9, 170, Sr.

Led the Matadors with four interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. Averaged 7.1 yards per punt return, sixth-best in the Big Sky. Was a second-team all-conference pick.

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Shayne Blakey, strong safety, 6-0, 204, Jr.

Moves from running back to strong safety. Sat out last season after being shot at a party. Rushed for 605 yards and seven touchdowns at Antelope Valley College in 1995.

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Howard Henry, free safety, 6-0, 183, Jr.

Had limited playing time last season and was a redshirt in 1995. Played wide receiver at Daniel Murphy High. Brother of Matador wide receiver Jerome Henry.

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Donnell Day, cornerback, 5-10, 185, Sr.

Made 35 tackles last season in backup role. Transferred to Northridge from San Diego Mesa College.

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Brian Walker, punter, 6-0, 180, Jr.

Averaged 40 yards per punt last season at Bakersfield College and 43.6 yards the year before. Also played baseball for the Renegades.