COLLEGE FOOTBALL : Fullerton Finally Puts It All Together for a 33-0 Victory Over Utah State

Any amateur psychologist will tell you that it isn’t healthy to keep life’s frustrations and aggravations locked inside. And Cal State Fullerton has had plenty of both built up over the past several weeks.

The Titans had what could be considered 60 minutes of therapy Saturday night in a 33-0 victory over Utah State in a Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. game before 4,007 at Santa Ana Stadium.

The win was Fullerton’s first in four PCAA outings and gives the Titans a 2-6 overall record heading into what may be the most demanding part of their schedule. Utah State is 1-2 in conference play, 1-5 overall.

The Titans finally put it all together. They had enough memorable moments to fill their season highlight film. Among the best:

--Senior running back Rick Calhoun rushed for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns and became the leading rusher in Fullerton history, surpassing a record set eight years ago by Obie Graves. Calhoun has 2,271 yards, breaking Graves’ mark of 2,212.

--The Titans recorded their second shutout in their six-plus seasons under Coach Gene Murphy, limiting Utah State to 38 yards rushing and 134 total offense.

--Fullerton finally found someone besides Calhoun to provide some offense. Ronnie Barber had the best game of any Titan quarterback this season, completing 18 of 25 passes for 156 yards and 2 touchdowns. The performance helped the Titans compile 358 yards in total offense, and score more points since their only other victory of the season, a 35-25 win over Idaho State on Sept. 13.

Utah State managed only 39 yards in total offense in the first half, and didn’t get a first down until the 4:41 mark of the third quarter. By that time, the Titans were leading, 20-0.

Fullerton took a 6-0 lead on Len Strandley field goals of 37 and 23 yards, and added to it with 11 seconds left in the first half on a 29-yard touchdown pass from Barber to John Gibbs. Calhoun’s run for a two-point conversion made it 14-0.

The Titans extended the lead to 20-0 on their first possession of the second half. An 11-yard reception by Todd White on third and eight set up Barber’s 6-yard scoring pass to tight end Jim Thornton.

Calhoun got his rushing record on a five-yard gain around right end midway through the fourth quarter. Murphy said he was awaiting an announcement of the record from the public announcer. Since none was given, he left Calhoun in and called his number again two plays later.

The result was a 55-yard touchdown run that gave Calhoun 1,023 yards rushing this season. “I just read the receiver’s block, then it was off to the races,” he said.