Cal State Northridge Matadors football
First season1962
Last season2001
StadiumDevonshire Downs
(capacity: 6,500)
Field surfaceNatural grass
LocationNorthridge, California
NCAA divisionDivision I-AA (1993–2001)
Division II (1973–1992)
College Division
(1962–1972)
Past conferencesIndependent (2001)
Big Sky (1996–2000)
AWC (1993–1995)
WFC (1982–1992)
CCAA (1962–1981)
All-time record182–231–4 (.441)
Bowl record0–1 (.000)
Playoff appearances1 (1990)
Playoff record0–1
Conference titles3
ColorsRed, white, and black[1]
     
WebsiteGoMatadors.com

The Cal State Northridge Matadors football team represented California State University, Northridge in the sport of American football from the 1962 through 2001 seasons. Between 1962 and 1992, Cal State Northridge competed at the NCAA Division II level prior to moving to Division I-AA in 1993. The Matadors played their home games at multiple stadiums throughout their history, with the most recent being North Campus Stadium in Northridge, California.

Until 1972, the school's name was "San Fernando Valley State College." The team disbanded after 2001[2] due to budget concerns, with the cost of the program ($1.3 million per year) outweighing a department that was thousands of dollars in the red. The scholarships were honored by the school.[3]

Yearly records

Year Coach Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
California Collegiate Athletic Association (1962–1981)
1962 Sam Winningham 3–6 2–3 5th
1963 Sam Winningham 2–6 0–3 6th
1964 Sam Winningham 4–6 1–3 T–4th
1965 Sam Winningham 1–9 0–4 6th
1966 Sam Winningham 2–7–1 0–5 6th
1967 Sam Winningham 6–4 3–2 T–2nd L Pasadena Bowl
1968 Sam Winningham 5–4 1–3 T–4th
1969 Leon McLaughlin 4–5 1–1 2nd
1970 Leon McLaughlin 4–6 1–2 3rd
1971 Rod Humenuik 4–7 1–2 3rd
1972 Rod Humenuik 6–5 1–3 4th
1973 Gary Torgeson 2–9 1–3 T–3rd
1974 Gary Torgeson 2–9 1–3 4th
1975 Gary Torgeson 4–6–1 1–3 4th
1976 Jack Elway 8–3 0–2 3rd
1977 Jack Elway 7–3–1 1–1 2nd
1978 Jack Elway 5–5 0–2 3rd
1979 Tom Keele 3–7 1–1 2nd
1980 Tom Keele 5–6 1–1 2nd
1981 Tom Keele 6–4–1 2–0 1st[4]
CCAA: 83–117–4
Western Football Conference (1982–1992)
1982 Tom Keele 4–7 2–2 3rd
1983 Tom Keele 6–4 2–1 T–1st
1984 Tom Keele 2–8 0–3 4th
1985 Tom Keele 4–7 1–4 T–5th
1986 Bob Burt 8–3 4–2 T–2nd
1987 Bob Burt 7–4 4–2 2nd
1988 Bob Burt 6–5 2–4 T–5th
1989 Bob Burt 6–5 3–2 T–2nd
1990 Bob Burt 7–4 4–1 T–1st L NCAA Division II First Round
1991 Bob Burt 3–7 1–4 5th
1992 Bob Burt 5–5 2–2 3rd
WFC: 58–59 25–27
American West Conference (1993–1995)
1993 Bob Burt 4–6 1–3 T–4th
1994 Bob Burt 3–7 0–3 4th
1995 Dave Baldwin 2–8 1–2 3rd
AWC: 9–21 2–8
Big Sky Conference (1996–2000)
1996 Dave Baldwin 7–4 5–3 T–3rd
1997 Jim Fenwick 6–6 4–4 T–4th
1998 Ron Ponciano 7–4 5–3 T–2nd
1999 Jeff Kearin 5–6 4–4 5th
2000 Jeff Kearin 4–7 2–6 T–7th
Big Sky: 29–27 20–20
Division I-AA Independent (2001)
2001 Jeff Kearin 3–7
Total: 182–231–4
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

Conference championships

The Matadors won three conference championships in their time playing college football.

Season Coach Conference Overall Record Conference Record
1981 Tom Keele California Collegiate Athletic Association 6–4–1 2–0
1983† Tom Keele Western Football Conference 6–4 2–1
1990† Bob Burt Western Football Conference 7–4 4–1

† denotes shared championship.

Playoff appearances

NCAA Division II playoffs

The Matadors made one appearance in the Division II playoffs, with a combined record of 0-1.

Year Round Opponent Result
1990 First Round Cal Poly L, 7–14

Notable players

References

  1. ^ CSUN Matadors Brand Identity, Usage and Style Guide (PDF). June 22, 2015. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  2. ^ Aird, Donovan (June 5, 2008). "How the West was undone". Mustang Daily. p. 14. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  3. ^ Gary Fox (November 21, 2001). "Northridge Football Eliminated". The Los Angeles Times. p. C11. Retrieved October 27, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  4. ^ "CCAA Standings". The Los Angeles Times (Valley Edition). November 26, 1981. p. III-8. Retrieved February 12, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
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