Fullerton Feeling at Home : Titans: In the debut of their on-campus facility, they run away from CS Northridge, 28-7.

It wasn’t only the new stadium that inspired Cal State Fullerton Saturday night; it was the 8,279 fans in it, a crowd that gave the Titans something they haven’t experienced in years--a home-field advantage.

Fullerton, used to playing in front of sedate crowds of 2,000 or fewer in Santa Ana Stadium, rode the new-found emotion to a 28-7 victory over Cal State Northridge in the season opener at the Titan Sports Complex.

“When I walked into the stadium and saw all the people I got jittery, I had goose bumps,” said Titan linebacker Mike Gullo, who helped limit the Matadors to eight yards rushing. “I’ve been here five years, and my second year here our bus got lost going to Santa Ana, so this was real nice. We were excited about playing in the new stadium, but when we saw all the fans, it got us even more fired up.”

It showed, especially on defense. Northridge boasted a professional prospect in the backfield, Hawaii transfer Jamal Farmer, who gained only seven yards in 12 carries. Linebackers Dan Godfrey and John Haynes and defensive backs B.B. Hudson and Darrius Watson led the way with seven tackles each.

Fullerton appeared a little shaky at times on offense, losing four of its five fumbles, but that wasn’t shocking. The Titans switched to the option this season, and Coach Gene Murphy’s biggest concern was holding onto the ball.

Matador quarterback Marty Fisher’s 21-yard screen pass to Jim Warren, after a Fullerton fumble, set up his four-yard touchdown pass to Marlon McBride, and Joe Jezulin kicked the extra point for a 7-0 Northridge lead.

Fullerton then capitalized on a Matador mistake.

Northridge’s David Romines fumbled a Noel Prefontaine punt and Jason Stanley recovered for the Titans at the Matador 14. Quarterback Trendell Williams, who fumbled at the Northridge 14-yard line in the first quarter, raced around the left side for a four-yard touchdown run, and Julio Ocana’s extra point made it 7-7 with 14:51 left in the second quarter.

Quincy Guy replaced Williams 7:39 before halftime and rolled left from Fullerton’s 33-yard line. Northridge defensive tackle Victor Myles wrapped Guy and appeared to have him pinned for a five-yard loss, but Guy ducked, slipped out of Myles’ grasp, and cut toward the right sideline to give the Titans a 14-7 lead.

Williams’ one-yard run in the third quarter and Steve Danzy’s five-yard run in the fourth ended the scoring.