CS Fullerton Defeats Idaho State : Titans Bend Early, Then Snap Back to Score 35-25 Victory

Things appeared to be going from bad to worse for Cal State Fullerton Saturday night. The Titans, who claim to thrive on adversity, were having it served up in extra-large portions.

Their leading tackler was carted off the field in the second quarter. Their starting offensive guard limped off shortly thereafter, with the second major knee injury of his career. And, for the third straight Saturday, their opponent was moving the ball with great success.

That so much misfortune should result in a 35-25 come-from-behind victory over Idaho State in front of a Santa Ana Stadium crowd of 3,722 is to the Titans’ credit.

Senior running back Rick Calhoun rushed for 204 yards in 31 carries--both career bests--and scored 3 touchdowns to lead the Titans to their first win of the season after two defeats.

Senior guard Mark Stephenson and senior linebacker Bryan Riggs watched Fullerton’s comeback while on crutches. Both suffered season-ending knee injuries.

But a suddenly rejuvenated defense and Calhoun’s best collegiate performance were enough to overcome the odds and obstacles, and give Fullerton a victory that Coach Gene Murphy said his players so desperately needed.

It was Calhoun’s 59-yard run immediately after the second-half kickoff that finally swung things in Fullerton’s favor. Calhoun found a big hole off right tackle and kept running until he was dragged down from behind at the Bengal one. Two plays later, Calhoun scored from one yard out. With 13:17 left in the third quarter, the Titans had a 21-17 lead, and the momentum.

Fullerton safety Tom Phillips stopped Bengal running back Merril Hoge inches short of a first down on a fake punt on Idaho State’s next possession.

Fullerton took over and, on fourth and seven from the Idaho State 36, Murphy elected to go for broke. Ronnie Barber, making his first start as a major college quarterback, scrambled and found Todd White open on a deep post pattern and connected for a a 36-yard touchdown that gave Fullerton a 28-17 lead.

This all came after a poor first half.

All things considered, Fullerton was fortunate to leave the field at halftime trailing by only a 17-14 margin. Idaho State scored on its first two possessions, and the Titan defense that was so tortured in losses to Nevada Reno and New Mexico State was being taken apart by Gino Mariani and his “Throwin’ Idahoans.”

It began with the Bengals’ first play from scrimmage. Mariani found Merril Hoge unguarded for a 20-yard gain. On the next play, Butch Caston took advantage of two missed Fullerton tackles for a 16-yard run to the Titan 43. Two plays into the game, Idaho State was averaging 18 yards per snap.

Hoge’s 13-yard run on a draw play put the ball on the Fullerton 21. Mariani hit Caston over the middle on the next play for a 21-yard touchdown pass to complete a six-play, 79-yard drive.

After a Fullerton punt, Idaho State drove from its 20 to the Fullerton 12 before settling for a 29-yard field goal by Rene Weitmann that gave the Bengals a 10-0 lead with 5:08 left in the first quarter.

Jason Gault intercepted a Barber pass on Fullerton’s next possession, giving the Bengals the ball on their 46. Seven plays later, Mariani had them at the Fullerton eight, threatening to bury the Titans in a 17-point hole.

But on third and 10 from the Titan eight, Mariani dropped back to pass and threw into the hands of Fullerton rover Trent Baker, who had nothing but open field in front of him. Baker returned the interception a school-record 97 yards for the Titans’ first touchdown. Suddenly, Fullerton had a thread of momentum.

Mariani quickly ripped that away by moving the Bengals 65 yards in just four plays to extend their lead to 17-7. A 23-yard pass play from Mariani to Shawn Beals set up Corky Federico’s 17-yard touchdown run at the 14:13 mark of the second quarter.

Fullerton’s offense responded with its first legitimate drive of the season, covering 74 yards in 9 plays.