Big Risk, No Reward for Hornets

Fullerton Coach Gene Murphy’s giant risk resulted in a momentum-changing touchdown, but the Hornets couldn’t sustain the effort in a 32-23 loss to Pasadena Saturday at Cal State Fullerton.

The play came early in the second quarter of the Mission Conference game after Fullerton (1-4) gave up two interceptions that led to touchdowns and also had a center snap on a punt go out of the end zone for a safety.

Pasadena led, 14-0, and had Fullerton pinned on the nine-yard line on fourth down. Murphy ignored all wisdom and called for a fake punt. The ball was snapped to upback Nick Armstrong, who launched a pass up the left side and Guy Porter ran under it at about the Fullerton 45, then beat three defenders to the end zone.

It was the longest pass play in the school’s history.

“Why not?” Murphy said, “We weren’t doing anything. We were dead. We had no momentum at all. If we don’t get the first [down] then we’re down, 21-0. Nobody in his right mind would make that call.”

The play inspired Fullerton for a time. The Hornets went on to tie it, 14-14, on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Greg Garand to Paul Wise with 3:49 left in the half.

But the Fullerton defense, which has lost 10 starters or others who would have played a great deal to injury, could not stop Pasadena.

Quarterback Casey Preston threw to Jeff Howard for a 34-yard touchdown pass with 50 seconds left in the half and the two combined for a 16-yard touchdown pass early in the third quarter as the Lancers (3-2) opened a 26-14 lead.

Said Murphy: “With the 10 guys out, we lost all our size. We’re down to the bare bones.”