Dejected Titan Coach Turns to Guru’s Magic

When you’re having the kind of season Cal State Fullerton is having--1-7 with no easy games in sight--you look for something--anything--to lift your spirits.

Titan Coach Gene Murphy, whose team plays Cal State Long Beach in a Big West Conference game today, found a ray of hope Thursday in the form of Charlie Kankel, a college buddy who flew in from Columbus, Ga.

Kankel, whom Murphy calls “my personal guru,” has visited once a year for the past four years. The 50-year-old former football coach attends Fullerton games, and the two former North Dakota teammates usually take in a Ram game or two.

“Big things happen when Charlie’s in town,” Murphy said. “He’s come a couple of times and we’ve won.”

Murphy couldn’t back this claim with hard evidence. It’s just a good feeling he has, and that sure beats the numb feeling Murphy has had the previous seven Saturdays.

The Titans have lost seven consecutive games since a season-opening victory over Sonoma State, and they will be underdogs again today against Long Beach.

Sounds strange, doesn’t it? Fullerton, winner of five of the past seven games against the 49ers, an underdog to Long (Time Since a Winning Season) Beach.

Strange, but definitely true.

“From my perspective, they look like a pretty good team,” Murphy said. “If I’m (Fresno State Coach) Jim Sweeney or (San Jose State Coach) Terry Shea, maybe I’d think differently. But we’ve got to do a lot of things right to win this game, and we can’t get hurt.”

Murphy’s biggest concern is the 49ers’ fleet receiving corps that includes junior Mark Seay, who has 34 receptions for 510 yards and three touchdowns, and junior Jeff Exum, who has 20 receptions for 428 yards and five touchdowns.

Long Beach receiver Sean Foster is doubtful because of a separated shoulder, but that doesn’t amount to much of a reprieve for Fullerton, which is down to three healthy cornerbacks, one of whom is a redshirt freshman. The Titans have allowed an average of 271.9 yards passing per game.

“If Foster isn’t hurt, they’d have the three best receivers in the conference,” Murphy said. “They’re big kids who can run fast. We’re going to have to mix up defenses and pressure their quarterback.”

Long Beach quarterback Todd Studer has improved steadily throughout the season and had his best game two weeks ago against San Jose State, passing for 363 yards. He’s a drop-back passer with a strong arm, but he doesn’t pose the running threat to the Titans that many quarterbacks have this season.

Defensively, the 49ers are led by outside linebacker Pepper Jenkins, who leads the team with 77 tackles and has four quarterback sacks.

“Pepper Jenkins is A.J. Jenkins as far as I’m concerned,” Murphy said, referring to the former Titan standout now playing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. “They also have a real good free safety (Shawn Wilbourn) and a great cornerback in Bingo Williams.”

Long Beach, in its first year under Coach George Allen, had won three in a row before losing to San Jose State (46-29) and Fresno State (28-16). But with three remaining games against Fullerton, Cal State Northridge and Nevada Las Vegas, the 49ers could finish above .500 for the first time since 1986.

“George and his staff have done a good job,” Murphy said. “They’re much improved over last year. Players win games, but coaches put players in position to win games.”

Titan Notes

Fullerton linebacker Clarence Siler, who sprained his ankle in the second play of last week’s 45-21 loss to Hawaii, will play today, but Coach Gene Murphy doubts he’ll be 100%. . . . Linebacker Stan Breland, who sat out last week’s game because of a knee injury, won’t play today, and he might be out for the season. The same goes for tight end Damien Hogan, who has a separated shoulder and might be out for the season. . . . Fullerton has suffered so many injuries that the Titans won’t practice in full pads. Murphy said they will practice in shells--shoulder pads, helmets and shorts--the rest of the season.