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.