Owens gets 100th win to open 2021
FOREST GROVE, Ore. - A milestone victory marked the opening of the 2021 season as the Chapman University football team defeated Pacific 35-23 for head coach Bob Owens' 100th career victory.
The Boxers were first on the board after a seven-minute drive that ended in a Joshua Harris 4-yard rushing touchdown. Harris tallied 73 yards in the first half pushing Boxer possession time over 18 minutes. The Caden Almer PAT attempt was no good, setting the score at 6-0.
The Panthers ended their first and second drive with an Owen Tapia 36-yard and 51-yard punt. Chapman struck in the second quarter with a Dillon Keefe pass interception followed by a 41 yard return to secure the defensive touchdown. The Tapia extra point was good to put the Panthers up 7-6.
The Boxers suffered a botched snap in the second quarter that cost Pacific another field goal forced by Keefe. The Panthers regained possession and called in Reed Vettel as quarterback. Vettel struck with 17 seconds remaining in the first half and connected straight down the seam with Spencer Corona for a 14-yard touchdown.
The Panthers entered the second half up 14-6. Nico Ragas returned the punt to the Chapman 30, a successful toss to Trevor Vill was followed by a 45-yard Isaiah Woods rushing touchdown. Ken Baierl secured the PAT to put the Panthers up 21-6.
The Boxers near 10-minute drive in the second was cut by an Isaac Edwards sack, his second of the game, followed by a Keefe sack forcing the Almer 38-yard field goal putting the score at 21-9.
With 12:26 left in the game Gio Ursino bolstered the Panther lead with a 19-yard rushing touchdown followed by another successful Baierl PAT. Pacific answered minutes later with a Joshua Harris 1-yard diving touchdown. The Almer PAT attempt was blocked by Alphonso Barmore Jr. securing a 28-15 score.
Pacific's Zack Saros onside kick attempt was recovered by Corona to secure Panther possession with 7:28 left. The Panthers followed through when Vettel floated the ball down 33 yards to connect with Vill for the touchdown. Baierl was again successful, leaving the score at 35-15.
With 2:07 left on the clock on 2nd and 17, The Boxers struck last when Kenyon Harris found Kyle Kern for a 17-yard toss into the endzone. The Harris pass to Ty Hargis was good for the two point conversion securing the final score of 35-23.
Alexander Terriquez totaled 7 solo tackles in his Panther debut to tie Simon Hall on the Chapman defense. Woods led the Panthers with 64 rushing yards while Vill led with 85 receiving. Chapman emerged victorious despite falling behind the Boxers in passing yards, 255-145, and possession time, 38:48 to 21:12.
The Panthers travel home to Wilson Field for their 2021 home debut against La Verne on Sat., Sep.11 at 7 p.m.