Chapman wins its season opener in Menlo, 31-6

ATHERTON, Calif. -  There wasn't much that didn't go right for the Chapman University football team in its 2008 season debut. The Panthers were efficient on both offense and defense, scored often and shutout host Menlo College for three quarters before defeating the Oaks 31-6 at Conner Field on Saturday afternoon.

Senior RB Mike Christensen ran for 108 yards and scored two first half touchdowns to lead the Chapman offense, which produced 374 yards of total offense. Christensen's second score came on a 32-yard run early in the second quarter which gave the Panthers a 14-0 lead.

Leading 17-0 at halftime, Chapman (1-0) turned to the passing game for two more second-half touchdowns. Senior QB Eric Marty went 12-for-19 for 198 yards and found senior WR Evan Webber and sophomore WR Chris Langstaff with 23- and 21-yard touchdown passes.

The Panthers capitalized from great field position all game long with 7 of its 11 drives starting from within Menlo territory and three more starting beyond the Panthers' own 40-yard line. Three of those came on Oaks' turnovers, including interceptions by senior DB Chris Shiramizu and sophomore DB Jake Meyer.

Menlo (0-2) finally broke through the Chapman defense with a 99-yard scoring drive that took over nine minutes off the clock and ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by RB Shaun Souza. The Panther defense allowed just 19.2 points per game last season - an 11-year low.

With the win, Chapman improved 5-2 in its past seven season openers. The Panthers have won six of their last seven games dating back to last season.

Chapman enters its only bye week of the season this week and will celebrate its home opener in the brand new Ernie Chapman Stadium against Whitworth (Wash.) on Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. The Pirates were 22-13 winners over La Verne in Spokane, Wash. on Saturday in their season opener.