Chapman Stops Skid by Defeating Occidental

Chapman’s defense turned in a dominating performance, including a game-saving fumble recovery with 30 seconds left, in a 12-7 NCAA Division III football victory over Occidental Saturday at Chapman.

It was the first victory of the season after five consecutive losses in which the Panthers were outscored, 129-74.

“It’s a ‘W’ and I’ll take it and I’m happy,” Chapman Coach Ken Visser said. “It’s a relief.”

Visser couldn’t relax until his defense, which forced seven punts, stopped Occidental after the Tigers (1-4) had a first and goal at the Chapman seven with 1 minute 25 seconds left. The Tigers had gotten the ball at the Chapman 26 when Panther quarterback Todd MacKaben fumbled with 3:20 left.

After a defensive holding call gave Occidental a first down at the Chapman seven, two running plays lost a total of two yards. On third down, Chapman defensive end Thaddeus Walton hit quarterback Steve Bowman, knocking the ball out of his hands. Walton and teammate Brian Johnson fell on the ball.

“I thought we kind of had an advantage,” Chapman linebacker and defensive captain Keith Dykes said, “because they couldn’t kick a field goal. We knew it was [Occidental’s] third-string quarterback and we were in an all-out blitz. It feels really good to finally win.”

Dykes had a team-high nine tackles, including three for losses.

Chapman’s defense also started the scoring with a safety early in the second quarter.

A punt by Chapman’s Mario Acosta pinned Occidental at its two. On the first play, Bowman lost the ball in the end zone under pressure, then reached down and knocked it out of the end zone.

He was called for intentional grounding and Chapman was awarded the safety. After the free kick, Chapman started at midfield and drove for a touchdown, which came on a six-yard pass from MacKaben to receiver Matt Guerrero.

Nate Ballinger started the drive with a 38-yard burst around the right side. He finished with a team-high 75 yards in 17 carries.

Rodney Freer kicked a 22-yard field goal with 1:51 left the half to give the Panthers a 12-0 lead.

Occidental’s only touchdown came on an 11-yard run by Kamron Jones with 31 seconds left in the third quarter.