CS Fullerton Has a Happy Ending

Cal State Fullerton, which needed a victory to avoid a losing season, salvaged a 43-26 nonconference win over Montana Saturday in front of 2,141 in Santa Ana Stadium.

Todd White caught 8 passes for 163 yards and set school records for single-season receptions (54), single-season receiving yards (832), single-season punt return yards (374) and career punt return yards (420).

With six seconds remaining, White was tied for the record for receptions in a season. But after a timeout and a quick conversation between the coaches and reserve quarterback Rich Sheriff, Sheriff completed a four-yard pass to White on the final play to give White the record.

“The records feel good. I can enjoy them now,” said White, a fifth-year senior. “I just wanted us to win our last game.”

White set career records for pass receptions and receiving yards earlier this season, and finished with 98 catches for 1,704 yards.

Fullerton (6-6) avoided a second consecutive losing season. The Titans were 3-9 last year.

Fullerton quarterback Ronnie Barber passed for a career-high 305 yards in his final game as a Titan. Barber completed 18 of 31 passes, throwing for 3 touchdowns.

“That’s just the way to end the season for a good bunch of seniors, especially for Todd White and Ronnie Barber,” Titan Coach Gene Murphy said. “You look back and think what could have been this year, but we’ll just enjoy today.”

Fullerton, which lost its first two games, won 5 of 7 in the middle of the season, losing only to Florida and San Jose State during that stretch. But the Titans faltered in their past two games.

The Titans trailed, 20-19, with eight minutes left in the third quarter, but scored a field goal and three fourth-quarter touchdowns while holding Montana (6-5) to 12 points through the rest of the game.