Panthers' defense steps up in 37-27 'Senior Day' win over Cal Lu
ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University football team overcame uncharacteristic turnovers to earn a 37-27 win over Cal Lutheran on Saturday, finishing the regular season with an 8-1 record that matches the best mark in school history. The high-powered offense compiled another 500+ yd. performance, but it was the Chapman defense that came to the rescue, providing key takeaways that secured the team's first home win over the Kingsmen since 2007.
An efficient Chapman offense that entered the game averaging just over one turnover per contest was tested early and often by the Kingsmen defense. QB Michael Lahey, one of the most efficient passers in the nation, had his first pass picked off by Cal Lu's DB Jhaylyn Hall. The interception was just the fourth on the season by Lahey, who finished the game completing 11-of-14 passes for 260 yards and three touchdowns.
The Panthers' defense responded by causing a turnover of their own, forcing a Wayne Chapman fumble on the 1-yd. line that kept the game scoreless. Chapman captured both possession and momentum, but it was short lived as junior RB Kean Stancil fumbled a handoff attempt, delivering the ball right back into the hands of the Kingsmen. The Panthers defense was unable to make another goal line stand as Wayne Chapman redeemed himself, scoring the game's first touchdown on a 6-yd. carry.
After failing to score first for just the second time this season, the Panthers drove 75 yards in just 3 minutes 20 seconds for an emphatic, 30-yd. touchdown reception by junior RB Cody Chapple. Chapple, who finished the season as Chapman's top scorer with 11 touchdowns and top rusher with 86.8 yards per game, wreaked havoc in the passing game on Saturday, tallying 129 yards with three receptions.
Anxious to take a lead, the Chapman defense produced another turnover, this time an interception from senior LB Steven Santana. The pick, which came deep in Kingsmen territory, gave the Panthers a short field to work with and they took advantage by scoring in just three plays. The go-ahead touchdown from junior RB Terrell Dolberry, his second of the season, gave the Panthers a 14-7 lead.
Turnovers continue to plague the Kingsmen in the second quarter as the Panthers forced another Wayne Chapman fumble deep in Cal Lu territory. Dolberry completed the one-play drive on his own, scoring his second touchdown of the game from 5-yards out.
A strange half was capped off by a broken Kingsmen play that resulted in a touchdown. Following three straight timeouts, the Panthers appeared to have stopped Cal Lu on a 4th down and goal try from the 1-yd. line, sacking QB David Rico in the backfield, but Rico rolled over the defender and was never ruled down. He quickly got to his feet with time to throw a touchdown pass to WR Vance Cramer who stood wide open in the end zone with several Panthers assuming the play had been blown dead. The wild play shortened the Panthers' lead to 20-14 entering the second half.
Cal Lu forfeited whatever momentum it had entering halftime by opening up the second half with another turnover, an interception into the hands of senior LB Zane Archer. Archer's pick, his second on the season, was followed by a quick strike touchdown as Lahey connected with sophomore WR Sean Myers on a 59-yd. touchdown that gave the Panthers a 27-14 lead.
Not willing to go away without a fight, the Kingsmen put together a 10-play drive that lasted nearly five minutes and ended with another Wayne Chapman touchdown. The Panthers responded in typical fashion, however, driving 72 yards in less than a minute as a 6-yd. reception by senior WR Robin Harris put the game on ice.
The record-tying Panthers victory closed out their second-straight winning season, an accomplishment achieved just twice before in school history (1994-96, 2007-08).
by Ryan Cavinder
Sports Information Assistant
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