Kingsmen Smother Chapman

The Cal Lutheran defense keeps getting stingier.

Following a season-long pattern, the Kingsmen allowed fewer points than in their previous game, defeating Chapman, 10-6, in a nonconference game Saturday at Mt. Clef Stadium.

At this rate, a shutout could be next.

“Our defense really played well today,” defensive back Justin Hansen said. “Everybody wants to make a big play, and sometimes they come.”

Hansen made two, recovering an onside kick after Cal Lutheran’s only touchdown near the end of the first quarter and intercepting a pass at the end of the third quarter.

Anthony Sullivan intercepted a pass to set up Ryan Geisler’s 37-yard field goal in the second quarter. The successful kick snapped a streak of eight consecutive misses by Geisler.

Sullivan’s second interception stopped Chapman’s second-to-last series with 1:55 to play after the Panthers had taken possession on downs.

The Kingsmen (3-2) limited the Panthers (0-5) to 174 total yards and field goals of 36 and 43 yards by Rodney Freer.

Cal Lutheran managed only 267 yards, but that was enough.

Fredrik Nanhed, a senior running back, moved into second place behind Hank Bauer (1972-75) among Cal Lutheran’s all-time rushing leaders. Nanhed finished with 91 yards in 25 carries and has 2,435 in his career. He needs 224 yards to equal Bauer’s mark of 2,659 yards.

Nanhed caught a 27-yard pass from Zack Hernandez for Cal Lutheran’s touchdown at the end of a 14-play, 80-yard first-quarter drive.