Fullerton May Need More Tricks at Utah State

LOGAN, Utah —  Lynn Eilefson, the former Cal State Fullerton athletic director who now holds the same position at San Jose State, went down on the field after the Titans’ 20-18 win over the Spartans Oct. 3 to congratulate longtime friend Gene Murphy, Fullerton’s coach.

“Nice coaching job, partner,” Eilefson said, hugging Murphy.

“Hey, I wasn’t out there,” Murphy said. “Give the players the credit.”

Eilefson winked and waved goodby, but he knew his assessment of the game had been right on target.

Fullerton’s defense didn’t beat San Jose State. And the offense certainly didn’t, either. It was Murphy’s play-calling--make that trick play-calling--that carried the Titans to their first win of the season.

Murphy went up his sleeve twice in the first half and pulled out plays that accounted for touchdowns both times.

All of which brings us here to Utah, where Fullerton, now boasting a 1-0 Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. record, will play Utah State, 2-2 in the PCAA and 2-3 overall, today.

Since the Aggies already have the game films of last week, how many more gimmicks does Murphy have? How many times can you expect to compensate for a fair defense, mediocre special teams and a struggling offense with trick plays?

“You certainly don’t want to live or die on tricks,” Murphy said. “But our numbers keep dwindling (from injuries), and there are tricks off tricks, you know, so don’t be surprised if you see some more.”

Fullerton has a depth problem that could be accentuated today. The Titans will not only be outmanned, Utah State will also have a size advantage.

“Utah State is a gigantic football team, big and physical, as usual,” Murphy said. “They try to wear you down and hurt you, and we just can’t afford to get anyone else hurt.”