The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

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The Girls Who Code club met together in Sierra Hall, on Friday, Sept. 15, in Northridge, Calif. Club members played around with a program to create a virtual game.
The CSUN club that’s encouraging women in STEM
Miya Hantman, Reporter • September 18, 2023

CSUN’s Girls Who Code club is just one of many across many campuses and countries, including 110 in...

Students form a crowd for DJ Mal-Ski on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023 in Northridge, Calif.
Matador Nights carnival makes a splash at the USU
Ryan Romero, Sports Editor • September 21, 2023

The University Student Union hosted “Matador Nights” on Sept. 8 from 7 p.m. to midnight. The...

Image courtesy of Adobe Stock by FiledIMAGE.
Women’s Soccer has Closed the Competitive Gap
Luis Silva, Reporter • September 19, 2023

There is no longer a significant competitive gap in the sport of women’s soccer. There is a brighter...

The line for concert merchandise on the second night of The Eras Tour in Paradise, Nev., on Saturday, March 25, 2023.
My experience at The Eras Tour
Miley Alfaro, Sports Reporter • September 18, 2023

It’s been a long time coming. I began watching The Eras Tour, Taylor Swift’s ongoing concert trek,...

Within the Oaxacan town of Asuncion Nochixtlan, we find my mother’s birthplace, Buena Vista. Photo taken July 29, 2023.
I Love Being Mexican
September 12, 2023
A student holds up a sign during a rally outside of the CSU Board of Trustees meeting in Long Beach, Calif., on Sept. 12, 2023.
CSU board approves tuition increase amid protests
Trisha Anas, Editor in Chief • September 15, 2023

The California State Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved a 6% tuition increase for the next five...

group of mena and women touching hands
Miracles In Action Restores Patients’ Lives and Actualizes their Potential

NFC Preview: 49ers poised to repeat as back to back conference champions

NFC Preview: 49ers poised to repeat as back to back conference champions
San Francisco 49ers runningback Frank Gore splits two Atlanta Falcons defensive backs for a touchdown in last year's NFC championship game. Photo credit: MCT
San Francisco 49ers runningback Frank Gore splits two Atlanta Falcons defensive backs for a touchdown in last year’s NFC championship game. Photo credit: MCT

NFC West –  The incumbent NFC champs are the favorite to repeat because of their depth and talent. They do not rely on one or two players, but multiple stars on both offense and defense.

Colin Kaepernick will be in his first full season as the starting quarterback for the 49ers as he led his team to the Super Bowl last season after taking over mid-season for current Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, Alex Smith.

By signing Anquan Boldin, the 49ers gave Kaepernick a veteran receiver who will be the primary target alongside pro-bowl tight end Vernon Davis, while fifth year receiver Michael Crabtree is out indefinitely with a torn achilles tendon.

Complementing their passing game is running back Frank Gore running behind arguably the best offensive line in the NFL. Gore led the team in rushing last season with 1,214 yards rushing and 8 rushing touchdowns and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.

On the other side of the ball, their defense is one of the most physical units in football. Linebackers Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman anchor a 49ers defense that allowed the second fewest points per game last season.

The Seattle Seahawks made one of the biggest splashes in the league last season.  Rookie quarterback Russell Wilson surprised everyone leading the Seahawks to a 11-5 regular season record and a playoff victory.

Seattle was dealt a huge blow this preseason after signing and losing wide receiver Percy Harvin to hip surgery. The Seahawks will now rely heavily on receiver Golden Tate and running back Marshawn Lynch to pick up the slack on offense. Their physical and exciting brand of defense led by cornerback Richard Sherman and linebacker Bobby Wagner will be sure to get the 12th man rocking again come playoff time.

NFC South – Led by quarterback Matt Ryan, the birds of Atlanta have Super Bowl expectations after falling short last year in the conference championship game. Their explosive offense is highlighted by pro-bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez and the dangerous wide receiver duo of Julio Jones and Roddy White on the outside.

The Falcons made a splash in the off-season by signing running back Steven Jackson. Jackson rushed for his eighth straight one-thousand yard rushing season, and had four touchdowns and zero fumbles last year for the Saint Louis Rams. He and teammate Jacquizz Rodgers should help the Falcons re-establish a running attack that was 29th in total rushing yards a season ago.

The Falcons defense relies on the speed of their defensive backs, and despite being in the middle of the pack for most defensive categories, they had the fourth most interceptions in the NFC with 20, and were fifth in the league in points allowed at 18.7.

Last season they had the best record in the NFC, and tied the Denver Broncos for best overall record at 13-3. Look for them to make a deep run in the playoffs.

NFC North – Rounding out the powerhouses in the NFC are the Green Bay Packers, led by Aaron Rodgers and his laser-like accuracy.

The Packers are one of the best passing teams and addressed their running game by drafting Alabama running back Eddie Lacy. Lacy has already had a stellar preseason and will help balance out the pass-happy offense of the Packers.

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