Chapman Football Game Notes (10/29)
ORANGE, Calif. - Pregame notes are now available for the Chapman University football team's road game against Occidental College on Saturday at Patterson Field in Eagle Rock. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
Last Week
The Panthers could not extend their winning streak to four, falling on the road to La Verne 30-21, a game Chapman trailed in for all but 2 minutes. Chapman fell to 1-2 on the road this season and is now 2-6 in its past eight away games.
Overheated
Playing in its first day game of the year, Chapman faltered under the Inland Empire sun on Saturday. The Panthers - who also practice at night - struggled with heat and hydration. It was most notable on the offensive line where the Panthers allowed four QB sacks after previously allowing just one in the first five games. Chapman dropped to No. 28 in Division III in sacks allowed, averaging 0.83. Sophomore OL Justin LaLonde remains the Panthers' lone lineman who has yet to allow a sack this season. Chapman plays two of its final three games under the sun.
Sur(passing) 1,000
Despite getting sacked four times, senior QB Bret Visciglia threw for a season-high 238 yards against La Verne, surpassing 1,000 yards for the second straight year. With 1,073 yards this season the senior playcaller moved into fifth place in school history with 2,254 yards passing. Visciglia has already tossed more TD passes (9) than all of last year (7) and needs only 109 more yards to set a new career-high.
Touchdown Kunitomo
Visciglia's favorite target this year, especially in the endzone, has been junior WR Kali'i Kunitomo. The junior not only leads the Panthers with 25 catches and 15.2 yards per catch, but he also has six touchdowns. He has scored at least one touchdown in five of Chapman's six games, including two of 70 yards or more. Visciglia and Kunitomo connected on a 77-yard scoring pass on the Panthers' first play from scrimmage in last Saturday's loss to La Verne.
Defense Getting Healthy
After surrendering 25 first downs and 407 yards of total offense to the Leopards last week, Chapman gladly welcomes back several members of its starting defense this week. Most notable are three of the Panthers' top six tacklers who sat out last week - LB Kellen Matsuno (elbow), LB Anthony Ferraro (shoulder) and FS Jason Jacobi (concussion).
Another Big Week for Mehlhaff
He didn't score a touchdown last week, but junior LB Mike Mehlhaff had another standout performance against La Verne earning a team-high 15 tackles, including a pair of QB sacks. He now leads the Chapman defense with 53 tackles, four sacks and ranks second in tackles for loss.
Extra, Extra (Points)
Thanks to the footwork of junior Mauricio Alfonso and senior Jimmy Adranly, the Panthers have successfully kicked 36 consecutive PATs dating back to last season. In fact, Alfonso has been perfect in his career going 40 for 40 over the past two seasons. They still have a ways to go to touch the school record from 2007-09 when Chapman kicked 54 extra points consecutively.
Alfonso Cracks National Rankings
Alfonso's only field goal attempt last Saturday was blocked from 34 yards out, but the junior remains ranked in the top-25 in Division III, averaging 1.0 field goals per game. Alfonso is 5 for 7 this season including 2 for 2 on 40-yarders.
Adranly Named SCIAC Male Athlete of the Week
Adranly was named SCIAC Male Athlete of the Week after he tied a school record with a 69-yard punt and averaged just under 50 yards with three punts, including one inside the opponent 20 yard line last Saturday versus La Verne. He also had a pair of wins and 12 saves for Chapman's regionally-ranked soccer team. The senior has yet to qualify for the national leaders, but his current average of 42.8 yards would rank No. 3 in Division III. He needs 3.6 punts per game to qualify and he is averaging 3.2.
Chapman vs. Occidental
The Panthers snapped a five-game losing streak to the Tigers with a 28-24 win at Chapman Stadium last October. In a game that featured six lead changes, Chapman RB Ed Harris scored the game winning touchdown and had a breakout performance with 138 all-purpose yards, including 95 yards rushing. Occidental holds a slight 7-6 advantage all-time including a 20-14 win in their last meeting at Patterson Field in 2009.
Occidental in 2011
Always offensively potent, this year's version of the Tigers is no different than past teams, currently ranking No. 10 in the nation in passing with an average of over 319 yards in the air and 425 yards of total offense. Occidental is also averaging just over 30 points per game, but is allowing 29.5 points. The Tigers are led by senior QB Luke Collis who ranks No. 9 in Division III - and tops in SCIAC - in total offense. Junior RB Wesley McDaniel is a threat to run and catch out of the backfield, as well as on kick returns. He is No. 11 in the nation in all-purpose yards with 174.2 per game.
Chapman Football on Air
For the fifth-straight year, Chapman has partnered with the school's on-campus radio station, Chapman Radio, to broadcast all nine Panthers' football games in 2011 streaming live on the internet. A rotation of on-air student talent will provide play-by-play and commentary for every down of Chapman football.
Complete Game Notes
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by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director