Scrimmage Allows Murphy to Check Out His New Titans

With just 42 healthy players, Cal State Fullerton’s May Bowl, normally a full-contact, four-quarter football game played with referees, was reduced to a spring saucer.

The Titans closed spring practice Saturday with a rather informal, 40-play scrimmage, with each play starting at the 10-yard line and with no officials or scoreboard.

“Sure, it’s a letdown, but you have to look at the numbers,” Fullerton Coach Gene Murphy said. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to get back to the (regular format) next year.”

The scrimmage gave Murphy and his assistants a chance to look at some of their new kids on the block--only two starters from the 1989 team, offensive lineman Shannon Illingworth and defensive lineman Dave Dorf, played Saturday. The Titans lost 23 lettermen to graduation.

Most impressive among the newcomers was senior running back Deon Thomas, who next fall will attempt to fill the cleats of record-setter and Atlanta Falcon draft pick Mike Pringle.

Thomas, who carried 24 times for 107 yards last season, rushed for 73 yards in 12 carries Saturday, showing quickness and maneuverability.

“I don’t think he’ll be as durable as Pringle was, but he does some things better than Mike,” Murphy said. “He has better lateral movement and vision. He’s not as fast and strong as Mike, but he knows the offense well.”

Senior Paul Schulte and redshirt freshman Terry Payne, who are battling for the quarterback position, both played well. Schulte completed six of nine passes for 103 yards, and Payne completed two of four for 28 yards.

Kerry Reed, a transfer from Rancho Santiago College, Sean Beasley and Mike Kent each caught two passes.

Defensively, Murphy was impressed with outside linebacker Stanley Breland, a junior transfer from San Bernardino Valley College.

“Anyone could see he’s an excellent player,” Murphy said. “He’s the best of the kids we recruited and will definitely start for us next season.”