Titan Defense Runs Up Against Fresno State

It will be strength against strength--OK, strength against the phase of the game Cal State Fullerton has least embarrassed itself in this season--when the Titans play Fresno State tonight in Bulldog Stadium.

Fresno State leads the nation in total offense (546.2 yards per game) behind a ground attack that has a Big West Conference-leading 299.3 yards rushing per game.

And with a third-string quarterback starting tonight--starter Mark Barsotti broke his leg four weeks ago and backup Trent Dilfer has a bone chip in his throwing hand--Bulldog Coach Jim Sweeney probably won’t overburden junior Brian Rowe with too many passing responsibilities.

There’s a good chance Fresno State’s early game plan will resemble last week’s theme against the University of the Pacific, when the Bulldogs rushed 71 times for 407 yards in a 59-14 victory.

If that’s the case, they’ll be running into the teeth of the Titans’ defense--inside linebackers Chad Lindsay, Teddy McMillan and Dan Godfrey, strong safety Michael Jones and defensive back Terry Sullivan.

It’s not as if this group has much of a bite, but compared to Fullerton’s performance in other areas this season, defending the run has been a bright spot.

The Titans are ranked fifth in the conference in rushing defense, allowing an average of 198.4 yards a game. Lindsay, Jones and Sullivan are the team’s top three tacklers, and they’ve had a lot more success against the run than the pass.

“We’ve given up some big running plays, but we haven’t done too badly in that area,” Fullerton Coach Gene Murphy said.

Problem is, the Titans haven’t faced a team that can run like Fresno State. The Bulldogs have two quick tailbacks in Ron Rivers (713 yards, four touchdowns) and Anthony Daigle (432 yards, eight touchdowns) and a bull of a fullback in Lorenzo Neal (599 yards, eight touchdowns).

Dilfer, if he plays, is extremely mobile, and all of the runners have the luxury of a powerful offensive line that includes three-year lettermen Melvin Johnson and Jesse Hardwick.

The Bulldogs, remember, scored as many points in one game against New Mexico, 94, as the Titans have scored all season.

“They hemorrhaged Pacific, big-time,” Murphy said. “They’ve got several backs who can run.”

The Titans will be without their best back, Reggie Yarbrough, who tore an ankle ligament last week and is out for the season. But it’s not as if he would have made a huge difference tonight.

The Bulldogs are ranked 30th nationally in total defense, and 13th nationally in pass efficiency defense. They’ve recorded 25 sacks in nine games, and opponents are averaging 10 pass completions per game.

Free safety Marquez Pope is an NFL prospect and the team’s leading tackler. Other top defensive players are nose guard Zack Rix, linebackers Darren Boyer and Jeff Thiesen, and cornerback Tony Brown.

“It’s an awesome defense,” Murphy said. “Sweeney says it’s the best defensive team he’s ever coached.”

Fresno State, which will join the Western Athletic Conference next season, plays its final Big West game against rival San Jose State next week, with the conference title and a berth in the California Raisin Bowl on the line. But Sweeney doubts his players will overlook the Titans.

“We’re playing a 1-8 team and we’re 8-1,” Sweeney said. “That, from a pride factor, should cause us to do well enough to show there is a magnificent difference between the programs.”

Notes

Fresno State has accumulated more than 500 total yards in seven of nine games and has scored in 34 of 36 quarters, including the past 16 in a row. The Bulldogs have scored at least 40 points in six games and have committed only nine turnovers in nine games, the lowest figure in the country.