for full statistics, click here

ST. GEORGE - In a game that featured one of the top teams in the country from preseason rankings, Northridge earned much respect from Crespi, but not a victory as the Celts scored 14 unanswered points in the second half to pull away with a 30-13 victory.

Crespi, from Encino, California, took the opening kickoff 50 yards and quickly went in for a 8-0 advantage. Northridge put together a 97-yard drive that was capped off with a Peni Maka’afi 8-yard TD late in the first quarter to tighten the game at 8-7.

The ‘Ridge then took the lead on QB Junior Cole’s 5-yard run in the second quarter. The Celts countered in the last minute of the first half with as QB Brad Bennett scored his second touchdown of the evening, putting Crespi up 16-13 at half.

Northridge played well in the final two quarters, but timely penalties, some dropped passes, turnovers and a botched punt proved to be the difference. Junior Cole rushed for 82 yards on 13 carries. Maka’afi added 19 carries for 74 yards.  Cole was 19-38 for 191 yards.

Northridge evens their record at 1-1 on the year.

SANDY - Northridge showed Friday night that they have many weapons in their offensive arsenal and if you try to shut down one of them, their are others that will beat you.

Such was the case against Jordan as QB Junior Cole hooked up with Chris Washington on a 7-yard pass with just seven seconds remaining to give the Knights a difficult road win over Jordan 41-37.

Cole, who was making his first varsity start at QB was solid in his debut. He was 14-21 for 214 yards and added an additional weapon by rushing for 86 yards on 14 carries. Cole threw for three TD passes and rushed for two others in the game.

Jordan bottled up star RB Peni Maka’afi for most of the night, limiting him to just 63 yards on 16 carries. Chris Washington came up big for Northridge, making an interception and hauling in crucial passes including the game winner.

Deseret News photo/Tom Smart

LAYTON - Wanting to focus on football without any additional distractions, Northridge running back Peni Makauafi has orally committed to play football for BYU
Makauafi, 5-foot-11, 215 pounds, also had an offer from Utah State, and Oregon and Boise State were showing interest. He rushed for 890 yards and 13 touchdowns for Northridge last fall, and also had more than 400 receiving yards.
For more on Makauafi, click on Jay Drew’s article in the Salt Lake Tribune here

picture courtesy of Deseret News/Liz Martin

NORTHRIDGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Fri 08/22/08 Northridge at Jordan 4:30 PM
Sat 08/30/08 Northridge vs. Crespi, Calif. (AT SCHS) 5:30 PM
Fri 09/05/08 Mountain Crest at Northridge 7:00 PM
Fri 09/12/08 Northridge at Weber 7:00 PM
Fri 09/19/08 Fremont at Northridge 7:00 PM
Fri 09/26/08 Northridge at Layton 7:00 PM
Fri 10/03/08 Northridge at Syracuse 7:00 PM
Fri 10/10/08 Clearfield at Northridge 7:00 PM
Wed 10/15/08 Northridge at Davis 7:00 PM
Fri 10/24/08 Viewmont at Northridge 7:00 PM