Chapman Opens Season With Loss in Washington

Chapman drew a blank to open the football season with a 35-0 loss to Western Washington on Saturday in Bellingham.

It is the first time the Panthers have been shutout since the sport was reinstated in 1994. It also is the Vikings’ first season-opening shutout since 1970.

Chapman’s offense struggled, gaining only 54 yards--four yards coming in the first half. The Panthers (0-1) had only five first downs and never got beyond the Vikings’ 48-yard line.

Quarterback Greg Hyland completed three of 12 passes for 18 yards. Western Washington intercepted five of his passes and sacked Hyland four times, including once for a safety.

Last season, only three of Hyland’s passes were intercepted in 53 attempts.

Chapman’s defense was just as ineffective, giving up 424 yards. Keith Dykes led the Panthers with 13 tackles.

Western Washington (1-0), the second-ranked team in NAIA, took a 14-0 lead in the first six minutes. Western Washington scored on a five-yard touchdown pass and a five-yard interception return by Chad Rorabaugh. Rorabaugh also returned another interception for a touchdown in the third quarter.

Western Washington’s Josh Bailey made field goals of 23 and 42 yards to give the Vikings a 22-0 lead at halftime.

The Vikings’ Darren Erath completed 14 of 26 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown.