CSUN’s Fann Wins Offensive Player of Year Honor in WFC

Albert Fann of Cal State Northridge has been selected offensive player of the year in the Western Football Conference by a unanimous vote of conference coaches.

Fann, a junior tailback, not only led the WFC in rushing and kickoff return yardage, he also had a better passing-efficiency rating than his closest competitor for the award, Darren Del’Andrae, Portland State’s quarterback.

Indeed, Fann did a little (and often a lot) of everything for the Northridge offense. The junior from Cleveland High rushed for 1,377 yards, added 540 yards in kickoff returns, was second on the team with 32 receptions for 242 yards and was two for two on option passes for 38 yards and a touchdown.

Fann, 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, accounted for 46% of the yardage Northridge gained rushing, passing and returning kickoffs and punts. In the Matadors’ final two games--victories over Cal State Sacramento and Southern Utah State--Fann accounted for 684 yards.

“He’s one of a kind, at least in this conference,” Northridge Coach Bob Burt said. “He’s very deserving of the honor. I think he’s the best player in the conference.”

Fann is a three-time first-team all-conference choice who has a chance to become the first four-time selection.

Fann and Del’Andrae are the WFC’s nominees for this year’s Harlon Hill Award, the Division II equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. Texas A&I; running back Johnny Bailey, the National Collegiate Athletic Assn.’s career rushing leader, is a heavy favorite to win the award for the third time.

However, Bailey is a senior, leaving the door open for Fann as a serious contender next year.

“(Winning) the Harlon Hill will be one of my goals,” Fann said. “But that’s something that has to do with your team’s record and going to the playoffs.”

Del’Andrae, a junior from Calabasas High, directed Portland State to its third consecutive conference championship. He completed 203 of 344 passes and led the WFC with 3,016 passing yards and 16 touchdowns. Del’Andrae was joined on the first team by Santa Clara wide receiver Travis Bargeman, a former Alemany High standout. Bargeman had 43 catches for 944 yards and nine touchdowns.

Northridge tackle Jim Matthews, a 6-4, 275-pound senior, was a first-team selection for the second consecutive year.

Northridge, which finished in a second-place tie with Southern Utah, had three seniors chosen first-team defense--tackle Mike Meehan, linebacker Daved Benefield and cornerback Willie James.

Northridge’s Clayton Bamberg, a junior safety, made the first team as a kick returner. He took back two punts for touchdowns this season.

FANN YARDSTICK

OPPONENT RUSH REC RET CS Long Beach 110 8 50 CS Fullerton 58 41 34 Sonoma St. 107 31 97 Central St. 137 50 76 CPSLO 33 20 49 CLU 99 4 12 Portland St. 164 0 15 UC Davis 86 0 4 Santa Clara 150 16 62 CS Sacramento 251 58 41 So. Utah St. 182 14 100 Totals 1,377 242 540