Running Back Gets Clearance to Play for Titans

Cal State Fullerton Coach Gene Murphy, whose team has been depleted by injuries in recent weeks, received some good news Thursday.

Running back James Mullins, a 5-foot-11, 210-pound transfer from Merced College, received clearance from the school’s office of admissions Thursday and will join the team for Saturday’s game at Mississippi State, Murphy said.

Mullins had been attending practices since early August but was not allowed to participate or enroll in classes because his community college units and his Associate of Arts degree hadn’t been officially certified by the school.

Mullins, who attended Havelock High School in North Carolina, rushed for 1,422 yards in 278 carries and scored 16 touchdowns for Merced last season. He also caught 11 passes for 132 yards and was a JC Gridwire honorable-mention All-American.

Murphy said Mullins probably wouldn’t see action in the backfield Saturday but might play on special teams. The coach added that, within a week or two, he expected Mullins to move into the No. 2 running back spot behind starter Reggie Yarbrough.

Mullins replenishes the running back depth that Murphy lost when first-game starter Deon Thomas tore ligaments in his knee in the season opener against Sonoma State. Thomas is out for the season.

“He’s a good north-south runner with good speed and good hands,” Murphy said. “He can catch the ball.”