GAME DAY : A Look at Today’s Key Matchups

CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE (1-1) vs. NEW MEXICO STATE (0-2)

At Aggie Memorial Stadium, Las Cruces, N.M., 5:30 p.m. (PDT)

One of Northridge’s most notable victories last season came against the Aggies, 33-0. True, the Aggies were arguably the worst Division I-A outfit in the land, finishing 1-10 under Jim Hess, but nobody expected them to be manhandled by the I-AA Matadors. The Aggies are rebuilding under Coach Tony Samuel, a longtime Nebraska assistant and the only African American head coach hired by a Division I-A school after last season. They are coming off a 61-24 loss to New Mexico, scoring more points than they did through the first four games last season. Junior I-back Denvis Manns, who missed the Northridge game last season because of an injury, led the Big West Conference in rushing with 1,086 yards. He had a 62-yard touchdown run against New Mexico, the first rushing score this season for the Aggies, who in 1996 did not have a rushing touchdown until the eighth game. Northridge, coming off a 34-21 loss at Hawaii, is looking for its third consecutive victory over a Big West team. Senior Aaron Flowers has 753 yards passing and needs 181 yards to surpass the school career record of 4,473 yards set by Bruce Lemmerman in 1965-67. Brian Comer (7.5 average), Aaron Arnold (7.0) and Drew Hill (5.0) rank first, second and third among Big Sky receivers in receptions per game.

* PACIFIC LUTHERAN (0-0) vs. CAL LUTHERAN (0-1)

At Mt. Clef Stadium, 1 p.m.

There is quite a personal tie between these schools. Cal Lutheran Coach Scott Squires and his defensive coordinator, Jud Keim, played for Pacific Lutheran and Coach Frosty Westering. Eric Jensen, Cal Lutheran’s backup quarterback, is a transfer from Pacific Lutheran. “Granted, there’s going to be an emotional side to the game, but I think that’s going to come out more after the game,” Squires said. Pacific Lutheran has been to the NAIA playoffs 15 of the past 18 years and won a national championship with Squires playing guard and linebacker in 1987. Quarterback Dak Jordan passed for 2,335 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. Slotback Peter Finstuen rushed for 1,075 yards and 10 touchdowns and also had 594 yards and four touchdowns as a receiver. The Lutes employ a varied and explosive offense featuring play-action passes, gimmicks and gadget plays. “PLU’s based on the big play,” Keim said. “They’re not a long-drive team. We’ll need to stop the big play.” Cal Lutheran will have to cut down on turnovers after committing five against Menlo last week. Zack Hernandez, who won a three-way competition to become Cal Lutheran’s starting quarterback, solidified his hold on the job by completing 10 of 15 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown against Menlo. He ran for 66 yards and a touchdown.

* ANTELOPE VALLEY (0-0) vs. MOORPARK (0-0)

At Moorpark College, 7 p.m.

Antelope Valley and Moorpark meet for the first time since 1980. Antelope Valley won that year, 16-8, and also in 1968, 13-0, the first game in the history of the Moorpark program. Moorpark leads the series, 5-2. Moorpark is ranked 16th in the state and 11th in Southern California after an 8-3 season that culminated with a 16-15 loss to Cerritos in the Strawberry Bowl. Moorpark Coach Jim Bittner described the Raiders’ quarterback job as “up for grabs” between sophomore George Jones and freshman Calvin Zinck from Kennedy High. Moorpark’s schedule is difficult, with games at Bakersfield and Hancock to follow, so starting with a victory is important. Antelope Valley will rely on running back Lafayette Bailey, who rushed for more than 800 yards last season. “They’re pretty good,” Moorpark Coach Jim Bittner said. “They have a very good offensive line and good running backs.” Tailback Aaron Davis is Moorpark’s top ballcarrier.

* VALLEY (0-0) vs. SANTA BARBARA (0-0)

At Santa Barbara City College, 1 p.m.

Valley was 10-1 last season, scoring 501 points and winning the Western State Bowl. Guess which team handed the Monarchs their defeat? Valley won’t soon forget last season’s visit to Santa Barbara, where the Vaqueros completed two touchdown passes in the final 44 seconds for a 32-26 victory. Valley quarterback Tom Racius, who moves to a starting role, threw an interception with 27 seconds to play to set up the winning score. Racius, who passed for 424 yards last season, will pilot the Monarchs’ run-and-shoot offense. His prime targets are wide receiver Leaford Hackett, who had 32 receptions last season, and tight end Greg Petty, who had seven. Valley is ranked sixth in the state and eighth in the nation by one publication. Santa Barbara, coming off a 7-4 season and 35-14 loss to Butte in the Holiday Inn Bowl, is ranked 14th in Southern California. Freshman Danny Nunez from Santa Barbara High will start at quarterback. Dos Pueblos graduates Jason Stone and Anthony Ramos are the top receivers.

* WEST L.A. (0-0) vs. VENTURA (0-0)

At Ventura High, 7 p.m.

Ventura, which has won 10 games in the past four seasons, has a new look, from the coaching staff to the quarterback to the team logo. Terry Morris, promoted from defensive coordinator, is optimistic about quarterback Rolando Garcia, a freshman from Miami who enrolled at Ventura with Steve Crespo, his favorite receiver from high school. Both were planning to attend Georgia Military College, where Steve Preston was coach. But when Preston signed on at Ventura as offensive coordinator, they came too. The Pirates will employ a run-and-shoot attack, with many passes headed toward wide receiver Donnell Wickett. Wickett last season had 62 receptions for 1,008 yards, both school records. West L.A., third behind Valley and Moorpark last season in the Western State Conference Southern Division, is led by quarterback Bryan Paul, who transferred from Valley. Raymont Skaggs is the primary receiver, but freshmen Tony Griffin and Jasiri Rodell also figure. Running back Marco Pleas is a returning starter.

Other junior college games: At 7 p.m., Glendale at Santa Monica, Southwestern at Pierce.