Chapman’s Defensive Unit Deserves Some Credit Too

When a football team averages 534 yards of offense a game, defense can seem like an afterthought. But Chapman defenders deserve as much credit for the Panthers’ impressive 3-0 start this season.

The Chapman defense has given little ground, making much of the Panthers’ offensive fireworks seem like overkill. Chapman’s first three opponents have averaged 9.3 points a game, a statistic that ranks the Panthers 14th nationally in NCAA Division III. But the raw numbers--24-6, 57-7 and 44-15 victories--actually don’t show how dominant Chapman’s first-string defense has been.

The Panther starters have given up only one touchdown on a sustained drive. The first time the defense took the field this season, Eastern Oregon State drove 74 yards on eight plays and made the Panthers look porous.

However, defensive coordinator Kirk Jellerson made some adjustments to counter unfamiliar Eastern Oregon formations and Chapman gave up little the rest of the game.

In the second game, Redlands scored late in the fourth quarter against the reserves. In the third, Chico State scored on a 90-yard punt return and after recovering a fumble on the Chapman four-yard line. After the punt return, Chapman stopped Chico State on 10 consecutive possessions.

So is this defense better than the one that gave up 14.8 points a game last season? The statistics are similar. The 1995 Panthers gave up an average of 252 yards; the three-game 1996 average is 258.

The coaching is the same. Jellerson, who is in charge of the front seven, and defensive backs coach Dave Bishop have been working together under Coach Ken Visser for four seasons, including 1993 at Whittier College.

“I really feel they are doing an outstanding job,” Visser said.

The personnel is similar, with seven starters back, but the losses were major. Middle linebacker Aaron Gutridge--the leading tackler--and defensive tackle Efriam Miranda--an All-American and “one of the best football players I’ve ever coached,” Visser said--have completed their eligibility.

Robert Nicholl, a 6-foot-1, 260-pound senior who was a part-time starter last year, has taken over for Miranda and leads the team with 10 tackles for losses, including a team-high 4 1/2 sacks. Freddy Brown, a junior transfer from Golden West, has moved into Gutridge’s spot.

Before the season, Visser said the linebacker positions were a concern because the three starters were gone. But three newcomers--Brown (6-2, 230 pounds), Carl McRae (6-2, 230, Moorpark) and Keith Dykes (6-1, 225, Cerritos College)--and a sophomore Jason Traut (6-0, 205) have stepped in nicely.

Dykes, especially, has made a noticeable impact, leading the team in tackles with 22. Add to that Allen Jones (5-11, 210), a transfer from Division I-AA Morehead State who has yet to play because of a back injury, and you can see why Chapman coaches are no longer concerned about the linebacker position.

Defensive end Robert Ernster (6-2, 220), a three-year starter who had 8 1/2 sacks last season, is back. Jim Ahern (6-1, 240), who alternated with Nicholl as starting nose tackle last season, is switching off with Joe Hollins (6-0, 275) this year. Tim Leonard (6-2, 260), who has returned to football after a several-year layoff, is the other defensive end.

The most seasoned group is in the defensive backfield. Safety Atlas Helaire III and cornerback Malcolm King are three-year starters and safety Art Maxwell and cornerback Malcolm Hunt have started for two. Reserve safety Jason Long, who plays nickel back and linebacker on passing situations, is also making a strong contribution.

So is the defense tougher than last year? Visser gives the edge to this defense. “I think they are very comparable,” he said, “but the experience level has caused us to go up a notch.”

Jellerson says this defense is a bit quicker and more unified. “It’s a fun bunch to coach,” he said. “It might sound corny, but they are playing together and are there for each other and that’s the main reason they are doing well.”

It’s a spirited group of hard hitters. “We’ve just got guys who love to play,” Jellerson said. “We don’t wear any gloves, none of that stuff. We just come out to play.

“We talk about getting to the ball and arriving there in bad humor.”