Offense stuck in neutral, Panthers fall to Cal Lutheran

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - The Chapman University football team had trouble generating any sustainable offense as the Panthers suffered their first road loss of the season 16-7 to Cal Lutheran University at Mt. Clef Stadium on Saturday. Chapman was limited to just 139 yards of total offense and one touchdown en route to its second consecutive loss.

For the second week in a row, turnovers were costly as the Chapman offense committed four (two fumbles, two interceptions), two of which led to Cal Lutheran points. Midway through the first quarter, senior QB Eric Marty was sacked at the Chapman 12 yard line, fumbled and Kingsman Jordan Barta scooped up the football and scampered the remaining distance for the game's first touchdown.

That would be Cal Lutheran's (5-1) only touchdown of the game. In fact, the Chapman defense kept the Kingsmen offense out of the end zone the entire day.

Chapman (3-3) capitalized on a Cal Lutheran turnover of its own when a punt was fumbled at the Kingsmen 16 yard line. Two plays later, Marty connected with sophomore WR Chris Langstaff on a 23-yard touchdown pass to tie the score at 7.

The score remained 7-7 until the fourth quarter when Cal Lutheran put together three consecutive drives into the red zone, but the Panthers' defense held strong. Chapman came up with third down stops on its own 4, 9 and 17 yard lines and Cal Lutheran had to settle for three field goals by Jackson Damron, the longest from 34 yards. In fact, the Kingsmen converted on just 3-of-11 third down opportunities against the Chapman defense.

The Panthers were led defensively by senior DB Garrett Earls who finished with 10 solo tackles and three pass breakups. Senior LB Dominick Gaitan had two pass breakups and a quarterback sack for Chapman, as well.

The nine fourth-quarter points were enough to earn Cal Lutheran its fifth consecutive victory of the season. Chapman could not manage a fourth-quarter drive any longer than 20 yards.  Senior RB Mike Christensen led the Panthers with 73 yards rushing