Chapman Uses Everything to Dominate Cal Lutheran

Sure, Chapman looked good while defeating Cal Lutheran, 38-7, Saturday in the Panthers’ home opener in front of 3,274.

The defense was stingy, the offense rolled, the special teams special. But if you only saw a certain second-half series, you would know exactly how dominating Chapman can be.

The Panthers, leading, 17-0, had the ball on their 49 a few minutes into the second half.

Receiver Martrice Stephens got behind the Cal Lutheran secondary and tried to chase down a Curtis Robinson pass along the sideline. Stephens dived and caught the ball at the 3, but was ruled out of bounds.

On the next play, running back Darnell Morgan took a screen pass from Robinson, cut back across the field and sprinted into the end zone. The play was called back because of holding.

Then Robinson hit receiver Nick-John Haiduc in stride behind a defensive back for a 54-yard touchdown pass. That one counted.

“That showed right there that when we want to score, we’ll score,” Robinson said.

It also proved that the Panthers have recovered from the frustrating loss to La Verne in their season opener last week.

In that one, they led 21-0 in the first half, before a flurry of turnovers helped La Verne win, 35-34.

“I think they needed to prove to themselves that they can bounce back,” Chapman Coach Ken Visser said. “That they can execute and play good football. They knew it in their hearts but they needed to do it.”

It didn’t take much against Cal Lutheran (0-1) and its anemic offense. Chapman (1-1) stuffed the Kingmen running game, giving up only 54 yards on the ground. Efriam Miranda had 10 tackles, including a sack, to lead the Chapman defense.

Cal Lutheran quarterback Ryan Huisenga was able to move the ball more successfully, but the Panthers picked off four of his passes. Huisenga only saw nine passes intercepted all last season.

On offense, Chapman didn’t immediately roll. Cal Lutheran was stopping the running game early, but on the Panthers’ second series, Morgan bounced outside after appearing to be stopped for a short gain and ran 69 yards for a touchdown with 3 minutes 9 seconds left in the first quarter.

Robert Ernster’s fumble recovery gave Chapman the ball at the 50 later in the half, and Robinson completed a short scoring drive by hitting Stephens with a 34-yard pass.

An interception by Shawn Racobs then set up a 37-yard field goal by Bill Hamlin, giving the Panthers’ a 17-0 lead.

The game was essential over after Haiduc’s touchdown pass to start the second. Robinson got his third scoring pass, 19 yards to Morgan, and reserve running back Jake Galasso ran 48 for a touchdown, before Cal Lutheran scored a consolation touchdown with 5:38 left in the game.

Panther Notes

Chapman played the game without receiver Oscar Ford, who has been suspended for disciplinary reasons, Coach Ken Visser said. Visser said Ford, who gained 156 all-purpose yards against La Verne, was involved in an on-campus incident.