Football completes undefeated SCIAC record in win over Whittier

WHITTIER, Calif. - The Chapman University football team capped an undefeated SCIAC schedule and clinched the conference championship outright with a 45-19 win over host Whittier College on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium. The Panthers will be making their first NCAA playoff appearance in school history and find out their first round playoff opponent on Sunday.

Junior RB Jeremiah McKibbins broke a Chapman record with his 26th and 27th career rushing touchdowns, breaking a 19-year old record previously held by Darnell Morgan.

No. 20-ranked Chapman (8-1 overall, 7-0 SCIAC) won its eighth consecutive game, jumping out to a 28-0 lead midway through the second quarter. The Panthers racked up 498 yards of total offense in the game and converted three turnovers into touchdown drives.

Four Chapman touchdowns came via its ground game, including two by McKibbins punched in from 1 yard out. McKibbins finished with a team-high 98 yards on 15 carries. Senior QB Michael Lahey and senior RB Cody Chapple each scored on touchdown runs in the first half as the Panthers led 31-7 at the intermission.

Lahey and senior QB Raymond Huizar also passed for a pair of touchdowns combined. Lahey connected with senior WR Blayr Jimmerson on a 33-yard pass in the first quarter to give Chapman a 14-0 lead. Huizar and junior WR Riley Guilbeault later combined on a another 33-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter to give the Panthers a 38-7 lead.

McKibbins notched the record-breaker with 12:42 left in the fourth quarter, to round out the Chapman scoring and building a 45-7 advantage.

The Panthers' defense reeked havoc behind the line of scrimmage, totaling eight tackles for a loss on the day and recovered three turnovers. Senior DL Alex Rorie tallied two tackles for loss and recovered a fumble. Sophomore LB Devin Ray led Chapman with seven tackles and a forced fumble. Freshman LB Cameron Page earned his first career interception.

Chapman has now won 10 consecutive conference games and nine straight road games.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

Boxscore: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/fball/2014-15/boxscores/20141115_o4u0.xml

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