Dillon Keefe, Football

Junior outside linebacker Dillon Keefe had a big helping hand in the Panthers’ triple-overtime NCAA playoff victory over Linfield this past weekend. The Orange, Calif. native displayed his skills all over the field, lending a hand in three of Chapman’s touchdowns.

On the Wildcats’ first drive of the game, Keefe pounced on a strip sack and took it to the house for a 21-yard score, the first of the day for the Panthers. Down six points in the third quarter, the linebacker switched sides, running the ball in for a 10-yard score and tying the game heading into the final quarter of play.

Keefe’s biggest moment of the game came in double overtime. On the first play of a do-or-die situation, Keefe lined up next to sophomore quarterback Reed Vettel. Vettel handed the ball off to Keefe, who threw it to a wide open Spencer Corona in the end zone, putting Chapman up 61-55 and forcing Linfield to score a touchdown on their next drive.

Keefe also led the Panthers with 10 tackles and tallied one of Chapman’s four sacks. He also blocked a PAT in the second quarter and broke up one pass on defense. The junior captain did it all against Linfield and was a key member in securing Chapman’s first-ever NCAA playoff victory.