Matadors Are Bit Hamstrung in Secondary

Hassan Abdul-Malik will play in a smaller fishbowl than his brother this season but it doesn’t matter to him.

Abdul-Malik, a 5-foot-10, 185-pound sophomore defensive back, will be an integral part of the secondary for Cal State Northridge if he can overcome a nagging hamstring injury that has slowed his progress.

Abdul-Malik, whose brother, Sultan, is a starting linebacker for USC, is expected to replace Jeremy Golden, the Matadors’ leading tackler last season, who is ineligible. Abdul-Malik filled in for Golden at strong safety against Portland State last season and made eight tackles.

“He stepped up and he didn’t make rookie mistakes,� said Foster Andersen, Northridge’s defensive coordinator.

Abdul-Malik sat out an intrasquad scrimmage Saturday and is not scheduled to practice this week. The injury has been slow to heal and might keep Abdul-Malik sidelined for Northridge’s season opener Sept. 4 against Western Oregon at North Campus Stadium.

“We’re not taking any chances with Hassan’s hamstring,� Andersen said. “We’re playing it very cautiously. We don’t want it to turn into a lingering hamstring problem. He’s too valuable to us. If he can’t play the opening week, that’s OK.�

The Matadors’ secondary is depleted by the absence of Golden. The eligibility of cornerback Mel Miller, who is not on the preseason roster, remains in limbo pending his completion of summer classes. Junior college transfers Karalus Doyle (Valley) and Shawn Watson (Saddleback) are competing for starting positions.

Senior Steve Forte is expected to start at free safety.

“It would be great if we had Jeremy back, but we don’t,� Andersen said. “That’s why we’re so concerned about Hassan.�

Abdul-Malik’s efforts might be overshadowed by his brother, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound junior, who led the Trojans in sacks the last two seasons as a defensive end.

Hassan, Sultan and their older brother, Saeed, played for Arcadia High. Their father, Wali Abdul-Malik, played as Ed Powell for USC from 1972-74.

Abdul-Malik said Northridge is the right fit.

“Everything happens for a reason, and I’m happy to be at Northridge and to have the opportunity,� he said. “I wouldn’t change anything. The only thing I can do is play hard.�

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Nick Longshore, a 6-6, 265-pound freshman from Canyon High, has replaced junior Johnny Acosta at left tackle while Acosta recovers from an ear infection. . . . Scott Talamantes, a freshman punter from Burbank High, joined practice Monday as a walk-on. Talamantes and Ethan Beck are competing for the starting job. . . . Linebacker Isaac Gardner is sidelined indefinitely because of a separated left shoulder sustained in the scrimmage Saturday.