McKibbins' 211 yards paces No. 25 Chapman over Cal Lu

ORANGE, Calif. – The No. 25-ranked Chapman University football team took another big step on Saturday in its quest to remain in first place in the SCIAC. The Panthers defeated host Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks for the first time since 1997, handing the Kingsmen a 45-21 defeat at William Rolland Stadium and stayed undefeated in conference play.

Chapman (5-1 overall, 4-0 SCIAC) remained tied with the University of Redlands for first place in the SCIAC and in the process, snapped an eight-game losing streak at Cal Lutheran that dated back to 1998.

The Panthers knew their running game would match up well against Cal Lutheran (2-4 overall, 2-2 SCIAC), which entered the game ranked last in Division III in rush yards allowed. And it was two big run plays by junior RB Jeremiah McKibbins that really propelled Chapman to victory. McKibbins turned a one-touchdown lead into a 28-14 advantage with scoring runs of 68 and 69 yards in the third quarter.

McKibbins finished with 211 yards on 13 carries, marking his season-high in yardage and the second 200-yard game of his career – the first coming in 2012 when he rushed for 251 yards and five touchdowns vs. Whittier.

When McKibbins wasn't breaking off huge touchdown runs, senior QB Michael Lahey was finishing drives for Chapman. Lahey only passed for 141 yards, but tossed three touchdown passes in the game. Both of the Panthers' first-half touchdowns came through the air as Lahey connected with senior RB Kean Stancil on a 4-yard pass in the first quarter and later with senior RB Cody Chapple on a 44-yard play in the second. Chapman led 14-7 but was limited to just 148 yards of offense at halftime.

The Panthers would account for 255 yards of offense in the second half for a total of 403.

A third touchdown pass from Lahey for 6 yards to senior TE Anthony Ezeakunne gave Chapman a 35-14 lead at the start of the fourth quarter. And the Panthers put an exclamation point on the game with an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by freshman WR Noah Rivard with 7:15 remaining in the game.

Defensively, senior DB Osayande Aikhionbare led the way with 10 tackles for the Panthers. Junior LB Garrett Frediani made five tackles, two pass breakups and a 25-yard interception return that led to a 37-yard field goal by senior K Markus Trujillo in the fourth quarter.

Chapman will return home next Saturday to host the University of La Verne at Ernie Chapman Stadium at 7 p.m. The Panthers will recognize their graduating seniors in a ceremony preceding their final home game of the season.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

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