Chapman’s Finish Is Strong One

Chapman’s offense put its defense to the test Saturday night. The Panthers turned the ball over five times, but Azusa Pacific never took advantage, enabling Chapman to come away with a 17-12 victory in Orange.

“They didn’t do a thing,” Chapman linebacker Fred Romo said. “Our defense does not let anyone in on the goal line. Last week Cal Lutheran had eight shots from the one and still didn’t get in.”

It was the fourth victory in its last five games for Chapman, which began the season by losing its first four.

“When you go to Washington and you go to Texas back to back, and you take 3 1/2-hour bus rides both trips, and you go 0-4, it takes a lot of courage and a lot of heart to come back and win four of the last five,” Chapman Coach Ken Visser said.

The game wasn’t completely secured until Ty Pursley recovered an onside kick with just more than a minute remaining. Azusa Pacific (4-5) had just scored its only touchdown after moving the ball 80 yards on four consecutive receptions by Dexter Davis, who, during the game became Azusa Pacific’s all-time single-season leader in receptions and receiving yardage.

Chapman (4-5) scored on its first possession of the game, when junior tight end Dave Vaccaro caught a short pass and turned it into a 44-yard score when he broke through some arm tackles and outraced the defense for a 7-0 lead.

Chapman’s defense sacked Azusa Pacific quarterback Bryan Lucas four times in the first quarter. Chapman turned the ball over in its own territory three times in the first half, but each time Azusa Pacific was turned away without scoring.

The Panthers increased their lead to 14-3 when they opened the second half with an 11-play, 72-yard drive that was capped by Robert Hayes’ five-yard plunge. Hayes finished with 105 yards rushing in 20 carries.

Jim Daichendt’s 33-yard field goal later in the quarter cut the lead to 14-6, but he missed another 33-yard attempt early in the fourth.

Chapman’s Matt George then connected on his 42-yard field goal with 2:51 remaining, which gave Chapman a 17-6 lead.