Matadors Face Sharp Decline at Receiver

Already short-handed at the position because of injuries and school grades, the Matadors learned Thursday that wide receiver Jason Sharp is academically ineligible.

“The [Cal State Northridge] compliance people told me [Sharp] didn’t meet NCAA qualifications,” Coach Jim Fenwick said.

Sharp, a junior transfer from California, failed to get an Associate in Arts degree after taking summer school classes at El Camino College. He was listed behind starter Mike Ogas at one of the four wide receiver spots in Fenwick’s run-and-shoot offense.

“That’s one of the disadvantages of getting transfers,” Fenwick said. “Everything is not as clean as it seems.”

Fenwick said two more players are on the bubble academically and may not make the trip to Boise State for the opener on Saturday.

He did not identify the players but said they would not travel if their status is questionable.

The Matadors earlier lost Jerome Henry to a stress fracture of the lower right leg and Cameron Perry to grades. They were the two top returning receivers.

Henry is making the trip to Boise and said he could return to action as soon as Sept. 6 against Hawaii.

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Fenwick said tackle David San Vicente, bothered most of training camp by a lower back strain, won’t start but will play.