Spring Football Preview : Fullerton Has Ability, but Lacks the Experience

Cal State Fullerton’s football team begins spring practice today with the usual mix of strengths, weaknesses, a lot of questions and a few answers.

So, it’s no surprise that Coach Gene Murphy has mixed emotions about the 1987 Titans.

“In terms of athletic ability, we’re going to be a pretty good football team,” he said. “But in terms of experience, we’re very mediocre. Our goal this spring is to find some quality depth at several positions.”

The Fullerton defense will be under the direction of Steve Hall, the former secondary coach who was promoted to defensive coordinator when Bob Burt took the head coaching job at Cal State Northridge. “The defense will have the same personality and operate out of a five-man front again, but we have some new terminology and twists,” Murphy said. “The defensive line is, unquestionably, this team’s strength.”

Ron McLean, a 6-foot 4-inch, 255-pound All-West Coast selection in 1984, returns at defensive tackle after a knee injury sidelined him last season. He is backed by Fullerton College transfers Dan Unger (6-5, 243) and Frank Cozza (6-4, 260). Lettermen Kelly Gogerty (6-3, 245) and Jeff Taylor (6-3, 235) will split time at the other tackle spot (called “defensive end” in the new terminology).

The Titans also have three experienced nose guards. Three-year letterman Jim Baioa, an honorable mention All-Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. pick last season, is nursing a sore shoulder so Quentin Knight (6-1, 255), a transfer from Sam Houston State, will go into spring practice as the No. 1 nose guard ahead of two-year letterman Carlos Adley.

The outside linebacker spots (formerly called “defensive ends”) also are laden with experience. Seniors Sean Foy (6-0, 210) and Ted Hinton (6-1, 200) will start ahead of lettermen Ted Hinton (6-2, 205), George Pritchard (6-0, 185) and Wade Aschbrenner (6-0, 200).

Murphy says he’s excited about the talent at inside linebacker where junior Bryan Riggs (6-2, 215) and last year’s team Freshman of the Year, Bill Bryan (6-2, 220), are No. 1 on the depth charts.

The secondary is the team’s most inexperienced unit, but Murphy has high hopes for a pair of Colorado State transfers--Tyrone Pope (5-10, 168) and Reggie Hill (5-11, 180)--who are the projected starters at cornerback. Junior free safety Tom Phillips (6-3, 195) is the lone returning starter and senior Trent Baker (5-11, 195) is No. 1 at strong safety (called “roverback”).

Offensively, the Titans will feel the loss of four wide receivers. Junior Todd White (6-0, 185) and sophomore John Gibbs (6-0, 170) are expected to starter, but they caught just four passes between them last season.

A lack of depth at running back behind returning senior starters Rick Calhoun (5-8, 188) and fullback Mark Hood (5-11, 215) also is a problem. But three veterans--two-time All-PCAA guard Mark Stephenson (6-3, 285), tackle Ed Gillies (6-5, 250) and tight end Jim Thornton (6-3, 240)--return to the offensive line that has been a Fullerton strength in recent years.

At least Murphy doesn’t have to worry about a quarterback controversy. Sophomore Tony Dill, who was forced into action because of injuries last season, directed the Titans to four straight wins to finish 1985. Fullerton finished 6-5 overall, but was second in the PCAA with a 5-2 record.

“Tony’s got the edge (over redshirt freshman Carlos Siragusa and junior transfer Rich Sheriff),” Murphy said. “After all, he hasn’t lost a game yet.”

Titan Notes

Sean Foy, Mark Stephenson and Rick Calhoun will see very little contact action this spring. All are two-time All-PCAA selections, and Coach Gene Murphy says he knows what they can do and doesn’t want to risk injuries. . . . Murphy says this is a “make-or-break spring” for junior Eric Franklin (5-11, 190), who is slated as Calhoun’s backup. . . . John Smith, who played tight end last season, and Rod Gatlin, a quarterback at El Toro High School, both may get a chance to fill the voids at running back. “Somehow, we’ve got to find places for both of them to play,” Murphy said. Smith could end up at tight end, linebacker or fullback. Gatlin will get a chance at running back, wide receiver and tight end.