Titans Play to Avoid Setting Record : Worst-Ever Mark on the Line Against Visiting Utah State

Though its record might indicate otherwise, Cal State Fullerton will not be without incentive in the last five games of what has been a miserable 1986 season. Starting tonight, the Titans are playing to avoid the unenviable distinction of finishing with the worst record in school history.

That’s certainly not the motivation Coach Gene Murphy had in mind before the season began. Back then, Murphy looked at Fullerton’s schedule and concluded that a game against Fresno State in Week 10 could determine the Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. championship. But any chance at a conference title or postseason appearance has since been lost in a myriad of dropped passes and missed assignments.

The Titans are 1-6, their worst start since 1975 when they went 1-9 before finishing 2-9.

“We’ve got to play for self-respect and pride now,” Murphy said after last Saturday’s loss to Cal State Long Beach. “I know that’s a coach’s cliche, but what else is there?”

Tonight’s homecoming game against Utah State represents the Titans’ best chance to avert their worst season. After the Aggies, Fullerton’s remaining opponents are a combined 15-6. Three of Fullerton’s last four games are on the road, including next Saturday’s game at Hawaii, which precedes a Thursday game at Fresno State.

All things considered, this could be the last time this year the Titans will not enter a game as underdogs. Utah State has been described as a team struggling to overcome an inconsistent offense and a demanding schedule that includes seven road games. Sound familiar?

“They are a lot like us from the standpoint of not being able to put a whole game together,” Murphy said. “But we’re in no position to say whether a team is good or bad.”

About all the Titans have to talk about is senior running back Rick Calhoun, who rushed for 131 yards last Saturday against Long Beach--the fifth straight game in which he gained 100 or more yards. Calhoun is the nation’s fifth-leading rusher and needs 70 yards tonight to surpass Obie Graves as Fullerton’s career rushing leader. Murphy said the record is not something he and his staff have stressed this week.

“I think if we were having a more successful season, we might point to it more,” Murphy said. “Our offensive line is really aware of it, though.”

Titan Notes Junior free safety Tom Phillips missed two practices this week for what Coach Gene Murphy said were personal reasons. There was some concern whether Phillips would return. But Phillips, the Titans’ only returning starter in the secondary, is expected to be in uniform and back up redshirt freshman Mike Schaffel. Said Murphy: “Any guy who’s done as much for our program and worked as hard as Tom has . . . we’ll give him that time.” . . . Murphy said Rick Calhoun will return punts for the Titans tonight but will be taken off the kickoff return team. “Nobody will kick to him,” he said. “He hasn’t touched a ball back there in two weeks.” . . . Sophomore quarterback Tony Dill will miss the remainder of the year with a knee injury and will try to regain a year of eligibility under the NCAA hardship rule. Dill hasn’t played since the New Mexico State game on Sept. 6. . . . Perhaps homecoming will help attract a bigger crowd tonight for one of only three Titan home games. Fullerton’s last home game, a 35-25 victory over Idaho State on Sept. 13, drew only 3,722 to Santa Ana Stadium, the smallest crowd of the season home or away. . . . Defensive back Tyrone Pope will miss tonight’s game because of a slight shoulder separation suffered last week against Long Beach, leaving the Titans with little depth in the secondary. . . . A decision on the status of tight end Jim Thornton will be made shortly before kickoff. Thornton still is bothered by a painful heel injury and hasn’t practiced this week. . . . The Bell, the perpetual trophy that goes to the winner of the Fullerton-Long Beach game, has mysteriously vanished. When last seen, it was being carried into a storage basement beneath the Titan Football House last Thursday by Murphy and Mel Franks, Fullerton sports information director, after being displayed at a gathering of Fullerton and Long Beach boosters that night. Franks said it was left on the floor at the base of the steps to the room the Fullerton staff affectionately refers to as “The Dungeon.” Franks said: “I went down Saturday afternoon to take it to the game and it wasn’t there. I don’t know what to think . . . a prank or something.”