For first time in five years, Chapman beats Occidental 28-24

ORANGE, Calif. – A strong defensive effort in the fourth quarter helped the Chapman University football team preserve a four-point lead and the Panthers defeated visiting Occidental College 28-24 in their home finale on Saturday night at Ernie Chapman Stadium. Chapman battled through six lead changes to defeat the Tigers for the first time since 2004. The home victory gives Chapman a 3-1 record at home and its first winning season at Chapman Stadium since 2007.

The Panther defense came up big in the fourth quarter by halting the Tigers' offense twice as they were driving in Chapman territory. The first came from senior CB Jon Martinez who forced an Oxy fumble at the Chapman 33 yard line with 14:12 left in the quarter. Later, with just over 3 minutes left in the game and Occidental trailing by four, the Tigers faced a 4th-and-4 at Chapman's 8-yard line. Forgoing a field goal attempt, the Tigers threw a screen pass to junior RB Ryan Nastor only to be met by Chapman senior DB Jake Fey who stopped the Tigers running back 1 yard short of the first down giving the Panthers possession.

On Halloween eve, both teams found it a trick to keep a lead for an extended period of time. Already with five lead changes, Chapman went ahead for good 28-24 with 20 seconds remaining in the third quarter. The Panthers' drive was highlighted by a 43-yard reception by freshman RB Ed Harris. The rookie then capped the drive with a 1-yard run that would prove to be the game winning score. Harris had a career night, racking up personal bests in rushing yards (95) and receiving yards (43).

Occidental (4-3) did not waste time getting on the scoreboard. After Chapman (4-3) went three-and-out on its first possession, Occidental drove the ball 68 yards and captured their first lead on a 1-yard touchdown run by Nastor. The PAT was wide left giving the Tigers a 6-0 advantage.

Despite being held scoreless in the first quarter, Chapman capitalized on good field position on its third drive and  scored a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter. Freshman QB Michael Lahey ran a 1-yard quarterback sneak to put Chapman up 7-6.

Occidental responded quickly with a 72-yard drive that only took 2:39 off the clock. It was Nastor scoring again for the Tigers, this time on a draw play that went for a 49-yard touchdown.

The Panthers recaptured the lead thanks to a record-breaking 85-yard punt return by senior WR Chris Langstaff for a touchdown. That gave the Panthers a 14-13 lead and was the longest punt return in Chapman football history. Langstaff finished the game with a career-high 256 all-purpose yards, including 171 yards receiving.

With 2:07 left in the first half, the Panther offense was pressed back to its own 1 yard line. Just 1 minute later junior QB Bret Visciglia hooked up with Langstaff on an 84-yard bomb to give Chapman its largest lead of the game 21-13. Visciglia and Lahey continued their success through the air combining for 274 yards and a touchdown.

Occidental QB Luke Collis drove the Tigers 53 yards down the field in the last minute of the half. But another strong defensive stand by Chapman held the Tigers to just a 26-yard field goal by K Joshua Mun with 3 seconds remaining to cut Chapman's lead to five points at halftime, 21-16. 

Fey had the second most tackles for the Panthers with nine, one behind freshman LB Anthony Ferraro who finished the night with 10 tackles.

Occidental regained the lead 24-21 midway through the third quarter on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Collis to junior WR Bobby Phillips. Collis, the top ranked quarterback in the SCIAC, completed 35 of 49 passes for 321 yards and a touchdown.

Saturday night was Chapman's first victory against Occidental since 2004, snapping a five-game losing streak.  The Panthers climb over the .500 mark for the first time this season and improved to 4-1 against Division III opponents.  Chapman can clinch its first winning season since 2008 as the Panthers finish on the road traveling to Cal Lutheran and Redlands.

For post-game interviews of Ed Harris, Bob Burton and Chapman head coach Bob Owens, please visit the Chapman Athletics Facebook.

by Robert Flicker & Doug Aiken
Sports Information Intern & Sports Information Director

Boxscore: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/fball/2010-11/files/oxy-cu.htm