Georgia Doesn’t Figure to Take Titans Lightly

An already difficult task for Cal State Fullerton--playing at 19th-ranked Georgia today--became even tougher when Tennessee managed a last-minute victory on the Bulldogs’ home turf last week.

The Volunteers scored a touchdown with 50 seconds remaining to take a 34-31 lead. Georgia’s comeback bid failed when Andre Hastings, after a 38-yard reception, fumbled away the ball at the Tennessee 34-yard line with 14 seconds to play.

“It was the worst thing that could have happened,” Titan Coach Gene Murphy said. “They’ll be in a foul mood, and they won’t be looking past Fullerton. They must have practiced for Clemson half the week before our game last year.”

Georgia took Fullerton lightly last season and was almost upset. The Titans trailed by three, 17-14, at halftime and by six, 20-14, when they had the ball at their 41-yard line with 3:30 remaining.

But Reggie Yarbrough, who rushed for 192 yards that day, was stopped for no gain on fourth and one. The Bulldogs took over and drove 40 yards to score a game-clinching touchdown with 32 seconds to play. They won, 27-14.

As long as the Bulldogs don’t show too many ill effects from last week’s loss, and as long as they don’t take Fullerton as lightly as they did last year, Georgia should have little difficulty with the Titans, who were guaranteed $250,000 for today’s game.

The Bulldogs have superior talent at almost every position and are led by outstanding sophomore quarterback Eric Zeier, who has completed 27 of 45 attempts for 484 yards and one touchdown.