Head Coach Bob Owens (photo by Joe Bergman, D3 Photography)
Head Coach Bob Owens (photo by Joe Bergman, D3 Photography)

Chapman Football Playoff Notes: 11/22/14

Download a PDF of the Game Program, complete with notes, rosters and stats for both teams here.

Chapman (8-1) at Linfield (8-1)
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Maxwell Field
Noon
NCAA Championships - First Round

Game Notes:

• Chapman is in the playoffs for the first time in history, while Linfield is making its sixth-straight appearance and 11th in 15 years.

• This will be the second meeting of the season and all-time between Chapman and Linfield. CU held the Wildcats to their lowest point total of the year (21), but suffered its only loss in the 2014 opener.

• This figures to be one of the best opening round games of the 2014 playoffs as only seven spots separate No. 10 Linfield and No. 17 Chapman. The Panthers are 0-for-13 all-time vs. ranked opponents.

• Coach Bob Owens is sitting on the doorstep of 50 head coaching wins while at Chapman. In his ninth season, Owens is currently at 49-32 overall with the Panthers and 68-67 in his career. Also, the SCIAC title is Owens' third career championship, having won two previously as the head coach at Whittier College (1997 and '98).

• With two rushing TDs against Whittier last week, junior RB Jeremiah McKibbins broke the Chapman career rushing TD record with 27. The19-year old record was previoiusly held by Darnell Morgan. McKibbins ranks 11th in the nation in rushing TDs with 16.

• Two top-10 quarterbacks go head-to-head as Panthers' senior Michael Lahey matches up against Linfield sophomore Sam Riddle. Lahey ranks No. 2 in completion percentage (71.1 ) while Riddle is No. 7 in passer efficiency rating (178.1).

• The Panthers average time of possession is 33:17, which will be key in keeping the ball away from the Linfield offense which ranks fifth in Division III with 49.0 ppg.

• CU's powerful run game will have to figure a way to get past Linfield's defensive front which ranks fifth in the nation, allowing just over 75 yds/g. The Panthers are 13 in rushing,  averaging 269.3 yds/g.

• The winner of Saturday's tilt will face the survivor of No. 2 Mary Hardin-Baylor vs. No. 24 Texas Lutheran. The complete NCAA bracket can be found here.

• Fans unable to attend the game in McMinnville, Oregon can watch live via Linfield College online at: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/linfield/#

by Michael Schwartz & Doug Aiken
Sports Information Assistant & Sports Information Director

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