Silver Lining on the Line: Titans, 1-5 but Undefeated in State, Meet Long Beach

A 1-5 team looks for positive reinforcement wherever it can find some. Thus, this statistic from the Cal State Fullerton sports information department: The Titans are 1-0 in California.

Fullerton puts that record--such as it is--on the line starting at 6 tonight when the Titans face rival Cal State Long Beach (1-2) in Veterans Stadium at Long Beach. The Titans need to finish 1986 with six straight victories to avert their first losing season in four years. But first, they have to remember what winning is like.

“We have to win this game,” said Sean Foy, senior linebacker and co-captain. “We need that momentum. Geez, when’s the last time we won? Three weeks ago?”

Actually, it was four. The Titans’ only home game thus far also was their only victory. They beat Idaho State on Sept. 13, 35-25. Their travels since have taken them to Moscow, Id., Las Vegas, and Tulsa, Okla., making tonight’s short bus ride to Long Beach a welcome change.

Last week’s 20-10 loss to Tulsa left Fullerton Coach Gene Murphy feeling better (or at least not as bad) about his team’s state, particularly the defense. True, the Titans allowed Tulsa only 78 yards passing and, for the first time this year, went an entire game without yielding a touchdown pass. But the Golden Hurricane attempted all of seven passes. That’s about 40 less than Long Beach has averaged in its three games thus far.

The Titans have had trouble both throwing and defending the pass, and will have to show improvement in both areas tonight. If they don’t, they stand a good chance of falling to 1-1 within California.

Jeff Graham, a sophomore from Estancia High School, is the quarterback 49er Coach Mike Sheppard has entrusted with running his pass-happy offense. Graham has completed 74 of 143 passes for 775 yards and 5 touchdowns in losses to San Diego State and UCLA and a 14-13 victory over Western Michigan. Mark Templeton, a senior fullback from Foothill High School, leads the country with an average of 10 receptions per game.

But the 49ers’ passing game is missing something. Wide receiver Charles Lockett, a two-time, All-Pacific Coact Athletic Assn. selection, has been bothered by a pulled groin muscle all season and is not expected to play tonight. “He’s about 70%,” Sheppard said. “Until he’s healthy and ready to go, we aren’t going to play him.”

Fullerton’s passing attack has looked more like a passing retreat at times this season. Murphy’s search for a starting quarterback has brought him back to Ronnie Barber tonight, after experimenting briefly with junior Rich Sheriff last Thursday. The Titans have relied almost exclusively on running back Rick Calhoun (786 yards in 144 carries), and that shouldn’t change.

Titan Notes Fullerton defensive tackle Ron McLean, regarded as one of the Titans’ most free-spirited players, surprised teammates and coaches earlier this week with the announcement that he and his girlfriend had eloped. . . . Senior linebacker Sean Foy said he is in the process of deciding whether to pursue a football career or become a minister after leaving Fullerton. . . . The Titans have won the last three games against Long Beach, but the 49ers hold a 9-5 advantage in the longest running series in Fullerton’s football history. . . . Both Sides of the Fence: Fullerton Athletic Director Ed Carroll wrestled and did his undergraduate work at Cal State Fullerton, but obtained his masters’ degree in recreation administration from Cal State Long Beach. . . . Tight end Jim Thornton is listed as probable for tonight’s game. Thornton re-injured a tender heel during pregame warmups last week at Tulsa. Offensive guard Tom Holler (herniated disc in neck) and linebacker Greg Williams are not expected to play. . . . Sophomore quarterback Tony Dill, still bothered by a knee injury, won’t suit up tonight. Redshirt freshman Carlos Siragusa will back up starter Ronnie Barber. . . . Reserve tight end Bill Brennan’s first career reception was a 23-yard scoring pass from Barber last week against Tulsa. . . . Barber entered last Thursday’s game against Tulsa in the second half and finished 7 of 9 passing for 126 yards and a touchdown to Brennan.