Jan Gets Titans Close to End Zone, but Not In It

For a few brief and shining moments Saturday, Cal State Fullerton quarterback Kevin Jan made Titan fans at Santa Ana Stadium think that maybe there was life after Damon Allen.

Trailing the University of Nevada Reno, 10-0, in the second period, Jan led Fullerton on a 7-minute, 66-yard drive, completing four straight passes for 47 yards along the way. The usually immobile quarterback even scrambled out of the pocket to complete a six-yard pass to Wade Lockett, perhaps stirring memories of the way Allen use to dodge incoming defenders while passing for 2,469 yards and 20 touchdowns in 1984.

The Titans had a first-and-goal at the three-yard line and appeared ready to score and close the deficit. But, Jan couldn’t do what Allen always seemed to be able to do--get Fullerton into the end zone.

Two running plays failed to advance the Titans and a delay-of-game penalty moved them back to the eight. Jan was then sacked for an 11-yard loss and, following another delay of game, Len Strandley missed a 42-yard field goal attempt.

Seven minutes, 66 yards, first and goal from the three. And no points.

That was the only real drive the Titans could sustain Saturday in their 30-3 loss to the Wolf Pack. Jan lost another scoring chance in the first quarter when, from the Wolf Pack 13, he underthrew Lockett on a crossing pattern and was intercepted by Patrick Hunter.

Playing a little more than a half, Jan compiled some decent statistics, completing 13 of 16 attempts for 90 yards. But most of his passes were for short yardage and, without a running game to speak of (the Titans netted 14 yards on the ground), the offense was stagnant.

“In past years, we’ve had the ability to drive and put the ball in the end zone, but that’s something we don’t have this year,” Fullerton Coach Gene Murphy said. “The blame usually goes to the trigger man when things go wrong, but I don’t want to point any fingers. We’re not that explosive and our lack of experience is the big difference.”

Murphy replaced Jan in the second half with Whit Brown, who looked good at times while passing for 78 yards, but he also threw two interceptions. Fullerton’s three interceptions in the game matched Allen’s season total of a year ago.

There was some question as to whether Jan or Brown would be the quarterback when the Titans begin Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. play in three weeks, but that was resolved Saturday after Brown damaged ligaments in his left knee in the fourth period. He’ll undergo surgery this week and will be out for the season.

Jan may be the No. 1 quarterback, but job security isn’t everything. He was more concerned with Brown’s health after the game and was in no mood to talk to reporters.

“I’m sorry Whit got hurt and I hope he’s all right,” he said. “I’d rather not talk about the game because there’s nothing positive to say. I’m sorry about that.”