Late rally comes up short as Chapman falls to Redlands

ORANGE, Calif. - A fourth-quarter rally by the Chapman University football team came up one onside kick short as visiting University of Redlands held on to defeat the host Panthers 27-24 at Ernie Chapman Stadium on Saturday night. Trailing 27-10 late in the fourth quarter, Chapman scored two touchdowns 1:17 apart - thanks to one successful onside kick. However, a second onside kick traveled out of bounds and the Bulldogs were able to run out the final 1:15 off the clock to secure the victory.

Redlands (7-1) had appeared to put the game out of reach when it opened up the fourth quarter by capping an 11-play, 66-yard drive with a 23-yard touchdown pass from senior QB Dan Selway to senior WR Brian Putman to give the Bulldogs a 27-10.

The Chapman deficit remained at 17 until 2:42 left in the game. Following an interception and 21-yard return by junior FS Jake Meyer, the Panthers drove 69 yards and scored on a 1-yard run on fourth-and-goal by sophomore RB Kevin Krail to make the score 27-17. The drive which lasted 6:14 included two third down and two fourth down conversions.

Chapman (3-5) recovered the onside kick and four plays later, sophomore QB Blake Vanderweil hit junior WR Chris Langstaff with a 35-yard touchdown pass to make it 27-24. Without any timeouts remaining, the Panthers were rendered helpless when a second onside kick attempt failed.

The Bulldogs won for the fourth consecutive time and led from start to finish. Redlands scored on each of its first two possessions to take a 10-0 lead after one quarter. Selway marched the Bulldogs 56 yards just six plays and finished it with an 18-yard scoring pass to Putnam.

Chapman responded with a 75-yard drive into the second quarter ending on a 1-yard Vanderweil keeper that put the Panthers on the board, trailing 10-7. Chapman's ‘D' limited Redlands to just one second-quarter field goal and the Bulldogs led 13-7 at the half.

On paper this game appeared to be a mismatch: a Chapman offense that had struggled to put up points this season against a Redlands defense ranked No. 3 in the nation. However, the Panthers capitalized on good field position most of the night and had all but two drives go well into Redlands' territory.

Three factors that will leave the Panthers wondering what could have been on Saturday night:

• With under a minute to go in the half, Redlands had first-and-goal and was attempting to go up 20-7. But then the Bulldogs fumbled, Chapman junior LB Andrew Carcova recovered and got a couple of key blocks on the return. He had one player to beat for an open path to the end zone, but was tackled at the Chapman 40 yard line. With just 26 seconds left in the half, the Panthers were unable to capitalize and generate any points off the turnover.
• To open the second half, Chapman - ranked No. 2 in Division III in kick returns - got an 89-yard return from Krail who was tackled at the Redlands 2 yard line. A false start penalty and three plays later, the Panthers attempted a 30-yard field goal which missed wide-right and Chapman was left empty-handed after such a promising start to the half. Redlands responded by traveling 80 yards on 15 plays to extend its lead to 20-7.
• Speaking of missed field goals, Chapman was just 1-for-4 in field goal conversions. The Panthers had a 38-yarder blocked in the second quarter and missed from 30 and 43 yards in the second half. Sophomore K Jimmy Adranly did, however, nail the longest field goal of his career from 39 yards late in the third quarter that made the score 20-10 in favor of Redlands.

Selway, who ranks in the top-20 in Division III in passing and total offense, led Redlands with 29 of 41 passing for 324 yards and two touchdowns. Putman finished with 10 catches for 130 yards receiving. The Bulldogs out-gained Chapman 440 yards to 315.

Odd stat of the night: the punters saw absolutely no action in this game. Not one punt for either team, meaning Adranly - who is No. 9 in the nation in punting - will keep his average at 40.0 for the season.

The loss ensures Chapman of its first losing season since 2006. With a 2-3 record on Wilson Field this year, it is also the Panthers' first sub-.500 home record since 2004.

Boxscore: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/fball/2009-10/stats/ur-cu.htm