Chapman Football Game Notes (9/3/11)

Looking to Get Over the Hump
Following back-to-back winning seasons in 2007-08, the Chapman football team is coming off back-to-back 4-5 seasons. In 2011, the Panthers are hoping to getting over the hump. To do so, Chapman will have to fare better in against non-SCIAC opponents. The Panthers were 0-2 against Menlo and Azusa Pacific last season while going 4-3 against the SCIAC.

D3Football.com Projection
According to a projection from D3Football.com, the Panthers are expected to take a step backwards in 2011 and are slated to go 3-6 this year.

Success at Chapman Stadium
One thing that could help the Panthers have a winning season is playing five home games in 2011. Chapman was 3-1 at Ernie Chapman Stadium last season and is 14-8 at home over the past five years.

Season Openers
Chapman is 9-8 all-time in season openers and had their three-year winning streak snapped in 2010 with a 21-10 loss at Menlo.

Panthers Laboring on Labor Day Weekend
Perhaps you did a double-take when you saw Chapman was playing a meaningful football game on Labor Day weekend? If so, you weren't alone. Saturday's Sept. 3 game is the earliest the Panthers have began a season in school history - and never on Labor Day weekend which, in the past, had been reserved for a final preseason scrimmage.

Joining the SCIAC
For the first time in 2011, Chapman can claim affiliation with a conference, joining the SCIAC over the summer. The Panthers' schedule is really no different as a result since Chapman has played every SCIAC member since 2006. However, in just one year (2012-13) Chapman will become eligible for the conference championship - and with it, an automatic berth into the coveted NCAA playoffs.

All-America Hopeful: Jimmy Adranly
Senior P Jimmy Adranly is coming off consecutive seasons ranked in the top-10 in the nation in punting average, ranking No. 7 in Division III last year with 42.2 yards per punt. Adranly (pronounced add-RAHN-lee) had seven punts go 50 or more yards and nine punts pinned opponents inside their own 20 yard line. As a result, Chapman as a punting unit ranked No. 11 in the nation in net punting.

Visciglia Returns at Quarterback
A virtual carousel at quarterback the past two years has made offensive consistency a struggle for Chapman. But this year, it appears QB Bret Visciglia will be the primary playcaller for the second straight year. The senior made over 71 percent of the team's pass attempts last season and is looking to improve on a performance that included 1,181 yards and seven touchdowns.

Giving Football a Shot
After riding the pine as a backup QB last year, sophomore TE Brian Kirwan is expected to have a significant role in the offense this season. Prior to his collegiate football career, Kirwan had a three-year stint in the minor leagues as a starting pitcher in the Minnesota Twins organization. Kirwan was an 11th round pick and reached as high as Class-A Beloit in the Midwest League in 2008. While Kirwan took the baseball route out of high school, he is not a stranger to the football field as he was an All-CIF quarterback at Del Mar High School in San Diego.

Chapman vs. Whitworth
Chapman is looking for its first-ever win against the Pirates, going 0-4 in the first four meetings between the West Region schools. The Panthers last hosted Whitworth at Ernie Chapman Stadium in 2008 resulting in a 41-35 loss.

Whitworth in 2010
It's no surprise Whitworth balanced its books in 2010 with a .500 record in 10 games when you consider the Pirates' offense average just over 24 points per game and their defense allowed 24 points per game. Whitworth returns just four starters on defense (similar to Chapman) and on offense the Pirates will have a new playcaller as well as a new tailback following the graduation of All-Region performer Adam Anderson - who the Panthers saw more than enough of in their last meetings in 2008 and '09. Whitworth's 3-3 record in Northwest Conference play was good for fourth in the standings.

Follow Chapman Athletics on Facebook and Twitter
For more information on Panthers' football and other Chapman sports, remember to follow Chapman Athletics on Facebook and Twitter. Watch video, view pictures and get other information by becoming a fan on Facebook or you can follow the Panthers on Twitter @ChapmanSports. Just visit the ChapmanAthletics.com for links to both.

Panthers On Air
For the fifth straight year, Chapman will partner with the school's on-campus radio station, Chapman Radio, to broadcast all nine Panthers' football games in 2011 streaming live on the internet at http://www.chapmanradio.com/sports. A rotation of on-air student talent will provide play-by-play and commentary for every down of Chapman football.

For complete game notes click here