‘Lloyd’s Boys’ Rely on Defense to Win Fullerton’s Spring Football Game

Since spring is the time for optimism, allow Cal State Fullerton to boast of a strong defense.

But come fall, there probably will be more concern for an offense that lost much of its experienced line as well as its starting quarterback and leading receiver.

The 1988 Titans made their first public appearance Saturday, playing their spring football game at Fullerton High School District Stadium.

The White team, nicknamed Lloyd’s Boys after its coach, team trainer Jerry Lloyd, used a strong defense in its 17-7 victory over the Orange team, coached by equipment manager Cliff Hatter.

Lloyd’s Boys, led by defensive end A.J. Jenkins, shut out the Mad Hatters until just 14 seconds remained in the game, when the Hatters scored on Tony Dill’s pass to Rocky Palamara from three yards out.

Lloyd’s Boys, led offensively by quarterback Dan Speltz and running back Michael Moore (102 yards on 18 carries), had a 7-0 lead by halftime and led, 17-0, before the Mad Hatters scored.

Although last year’s game ended in a disputed “trick play” that helped Lloyd’s Boys to a 21-17 victory, there was no need for such a stunt this year.

“Y’all did it fair and square this year,” Hatter told Lloyd after the game. “They outplayed us offensively and defensively. They outkicked us, they outcoached us. Outside of that, we did a hell of a job.”

Speltz, a transfer from El Camino College, seems to have the lead in what figures to be a long battle at quarterback.

Speltz completed 11 of 27 passes for 165 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Tony Dill, also a junior, completed 8 of 15 for 76 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Paul Schulte, a sophomore, completed 3 of 7 for 58 yards, but was intercepted twice.

“(Speltz) was more consistent, but Tony and Paul had their moments,” said Coach Gene Murphy, who watched from the sidelines.

It was more a night for defense than for offense, however.

Mark Barnes, a community college transfer, had a big game in his first appearance as a Titan, intercepting three passes.

But Jenkins was the most talked about.

“A.J. Jenkins, he’s more than good. He’s super good,” Murphy said after watching Jenkins make several key sacks.

As is becoming tradition, the game had its lighter moments, one of them coming on a play on which the ball was snapped as Speltz wandered toward the sideline. Whether that was a legitimate and serious goof or simply a trick play was anyone’s guess from the stands.

It drew laughs even on the sideline--not something that would happen in a real game.

Another goof that could have been distressing came on the Mad Hatters’ touchdown drive in the final minute, when Hatter shouted for a timeout.

“You don’t have any more,” an official shouted back.

But before Hatter could argue more, his team had scored, with just 14 seconds to spare in the game.

No matter, it’s only spring football.