J J O Laughlin

J. J. O'Laughlin, Cal State Northridge's starting quarterback, might miss Saturday's American West Conference game against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo because of an injured shoulder. O'Laughlin's right, throwing shoulder was hurt when he was hit after attempting a pass just before halftime against Chico State on Saturday. The shoulder is "sprained and strained," according to the Northridge training staff, a school spokesman said.

Like a party host awaiting the first knock on the door, J.J. O'Laughlin was more than a little skittish. Two months ago, he scheduled a workout on the intramural field at UCLA, but this was no flag-football affair. O'Laughlin, a two-year starter at quarterback for Cal State Northridge, was hoping to impress NFL scouts with his skills. First, somebody had to show up. Finally, he spotted a few scouts on the horizon.

Among the reasons J.J. O'Laughlin chose Illinois over Houston, California, UCLA and USC was the Illini's two-pronged recruiting pitch. John Mackovic recruited for Illinois football. Augie Garrido recruited for Illinois baseball. O'Laughlin never played baseball at Illinois, choosing to concentrate on improving his standing during spring football.

Let it be written here, for the first time anywhere: J.J. O'Laughlin was a chunky kid. Not a big bag of blubber, mind you, but a wide load nonetheless. "He was a pudgy little guy," said his brother, Brian. "Chubby as in, built like a catcher eating a Snickers bar." Enjoy the snickers and chuckles while you can, because when it comes to James Joseph O'Laughlin, there aren't many opportunities to laugh at his expense.

The quarterback battle at Cal State Northridge will take on a more competitive look Monday when Illinois transfer J.J. O'Laughlin enrolls at Northridge. O'Laughlin, 6-foot-2, 197 pounds, was recently granted a release by Division I-A Illinois, allowing him to play immediately at Northridge, a I-AA school. Because he used his redshirt season in 1990, he will have two years to complete two years of eligibility.

J.J. O'Laughlin will be named starting quarterback for Cal State Northridge today, according to a source close to the team. O'Laughlin, a junior who transferred from Illinois 11 days ago, has outperformed last week's starter, Clayton Millis. When he starts Saturday night at Northern Arizona, O'Laughlin will be the Matadors' third starting quarterback in as many games.

No sneaking up on anybody this time. Cal State Northridge quarterback J.J. O'Laughlin appeared on the horizon less than a year ago, a gunslinger riding into a new town to prove he had the quickest draw. Didn't take long for him to make his point. O'Laughlin, who transferred to Northridge from the University of Illinois one game into the Matadors' season, started playing the following week and picked up the offense on the fly. Fly could be the operative word this season.

Cal State Northridge opened spring football drills Wednesday with starting quarterback J.J. O'Laughlin watching from the same vantage point he occupied at the close of last season--the sideline. O'Laughlin, who was knocked out of an Oct. 30 game against Chico State, is rehabilitating from reconstructive surgery on his right shoulder in December. He has been stretching and lifting weights, but is not cleared to throw a football until Monday.

J.J. O'Laughlin, the quarterback who provided instant offense for the Cal State Northridge football team, will miss the Matadors' final game, Coach Bob Burt said Wednesday. A magnetic resonance imaging test administered Tuesday night revealed a small tear in the rotator cuff of O'Laughlin's right shoulder. "He's history," Burt said after watching the 6-foot-3, 200-pound junior throw a few passes at a late afternoon practice. "He can start getting better for next year."

Like a party host awaiting the first knock on the door, J.J. O'Laughlin was more than a little skittish. Two months ago, he scheduled a workout on the intramural field at UCLA, but this was no flag-football affair. O'Laughlin, a two-year starter at quarterback for Cal State Northridge, was hoping to impress NFL scouts with his skills. First, somebody had to show up. Finally, he spotted a few scouts on the horizon.

No sneaking up on anybody this time. Cal State Northridge quarterback J.J. O'Laughlin appeared on the horizon less than a year ago, a gunslinger riding into a new town to prove he had the quickest draw. Didn't take long for him to make his point. O'Laughlin, who transferred to Northridge from the University of Illinois one game into the Matadors' season, started playing the following week and picked up the offense on the fly. Fly could be the operative word this season.

Cal State Northridge opened spring football drills Wednesday with starting quarterback J.J. O'Laughlin watching from the same vantage point he occupied at the close of last season--the sideline. O'Laughlin, who was knocked out of an Oct. 30 game against Chico State, is rehabilitating from reconstructive surgery on his right shoulder in December. He has been stretching and lifting weights, but is not cleared to throw a football until Monday.

J.J. O'Laughlin, the quarterback who provided instant offense for the Cal State Northridge football team, will miss the Matadors' final game, Coach Bob Burt said Wednesday. A magnetic resonance imaging test administered Tuesday night revealed a small tear in the rotator cuff of O'Laughlin's right shoulder. "He's history," Burt said after watching the 6-foot-3, 200-pound junior throw a few passes at a late afternoon practice. "He can start getting better for next year."

Among the reasons J.J. O'Laughlin chose Illinois over Houston, California, UCLA and USC was the Illini's two-pronged recruiting pitch. John Mackovic recruited for Illinois football. Augie Garrido recruited for Illinois baseball. O'Laughlin never played baseball at Illinois, choosing to concentrate on improving his standing during spring football.

Given the circumstances, Cal State Northridge players and coaches have done a commendable job this week putting up a united and cheery front. The Matadors' top rusher, Robert Trice, can't run and doesn't know which way to limp. He has a sprained big, left toe and a sprained right ankle. Meanwhile, quarterback J.J. O'Laughlin still is unable to lift his throwing arm higher than his shoulder without the aid of his left hand.

J. J. O'Laughlin, Cal State Northridge's starting quarterback, might miss Saturday's American West Conference game against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo because of an injured shoulder. O'Laughlin's right, throwing shoulder was hurt when he was hit after attempting a pass just before halftime against Chico State on Saturday. The shoulder is "sprained and strained," according to the Northridge training staff, a school spokesman said.

Given the circumstances, Cal State Northridge players and coaches have done a commendable job this week putting up a united and cheery front. The Matadors' top rusher, Robert Trice, can't run and doesn't know which way to limp. He has a sprained big, left toe and a sprained right ankle. Meanwhile, quarterback J.J. O'Laughlin still is unable to lift his throwing arm higher than his shoulder without the aid of his left hand.

Let it be written here, for the first time anywhere: J.J. O'Laughlin was a chunky kid. Not a big bag of blubber, mind you, but a wide load nonetheless. "He was a pudgy little guy," said his brother, Brian. "Chubby as in, built like a catcher eating a Snickers bar." Enjoy the snickers and chuckles while you can, because when it comes to James Joseph O'Laughlin, there aren't many opportunities to laugh at his expense.

J.J. O'Laughlin will be named starting quarterback for Cal State Northridge today, according to a source close to the team. O'Laughlin, a junior who transferred from Illinois 11 days ago, has outperformed last week's starter, Clayton Millis. When he starts Saturday night at Northern Arizona, O'Laughlin will be the Matadors' third starting quarterback in as many games.

The quarterback battle at Cal State Northridge will take on a more competitive look Monday when Illinois transfer J.J. O'Laughlin enrolls at Northridge. O'Laughlin, 6-foot-2, 197 pounds, was recently granted a release by Division I-A Illinois, allowing him to play immediately at Northridge, a I-AA school. Because he used his redshirt season in 1990, he will have two years to complete two years of eligibility.