Panthers defeat CMS Stags in first SCIAC game of the season

CLAREMONT, Calif. - The Chapman University football team opened the SCIAC schedule with a 33-23 victory over host Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges on Saturday afternoon at Fritz Burns Stadium. 

Junior RB Jeremiah McKibbins rushed for 137 yards and three touchdowns, including a season-high 60-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to lead the Panther offense. McKibbins 100-yard rushing game was Chapman's first of the season.

Chapman (2-1 overall, 1-0 SCIAC) scored touchdowns on its first two possessions of the second half to turn a 17-9 halftime lead into a 21-point advantage. Senior QB Michael Lahey connected with senior WR Sean Myers on a 26-yard passing touchdown to give the Panthers a 30-9 lead midway through the third quarter. Myers finished with a team-high 10 receptions for 98 yards. 

Chapman's 33 points are the most the CMS defense has allowed in three games this season.

Lahey surrendered his first interception of the year on the Panthers' first possession which led to a Claremont field goal from 38 yards and a 3-0 lead early in the first quarter. 

The Panthers were held to a 26-yard FG on their second possession to tie the game 3-3. The offense followed with a nine-play, 74-yard drive capped by McKibbins' 27-yard touchdown run to give Chapman a 10-3 lead with 1:47 left in first quarter.

Claremont rallied for a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns, but it was too little, too late for the Stags. 

Chapman will host Pomona-Pitzer Colleges for Homecoming at Ernie Chapman Stadium next Saturday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

Become a fan of Chapman Athletics on Facebook
Follow Chapman Athletics on Twitter @ChapmanSports
Post your #PantherPic to Instagram @ChapmanSports
#Chaptown