Chapman Loses Grip on Ball, Game in Falling to Occidental

Chapman was its own worst enemy Saturday night, fumbling six times in a 48-20 nonconference loss to visiting Occidental before an announced homecoming crowd of 2,375 at Chapman.

The Panthers (1-5), who had lost only five fumbles in their first five games, couldn’t hold onto the ball against Occidental (4-1).

“I don’t know what the problem is,” Chapman Coach Ken Visser said. “I’ve coached a long time and it seems some teams just have the propensity for it. It’s not like we haven’t talked about holding onto the ball, because we have.

“The positive thing is that the team never quit, never surrendered. They played hard the whole game. But the turnovers are definitely the negative.”

Chapman’s Stan Villanueva completed seven of 14 passes for 67 yards before being replaced by Todd McLean, who completed 11 of 25 for 150 yards and two touchdowns. Phil Cruz was the Panthers’ leading rusher, carrying 18 times for 106 yards, and Villanueva scrambled 14 times for 48 yards.

Derrell Furutani carried 14 times for 111 yards and Kamron Jones gained 107 yards in 11 carries for Occidental. Quarterback Jesus Zuniga completed 15 of 31 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns.

After Occidental scored four third-quarter touchdowns for a 42-6 lead, Chapman responded with a rally, scoring 14 fourth-period points in less than a minute.

After McLean threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Bobby Calderon, the Panthers recovered an onside kick and went on a six-play, 49-yard drive. McLean capped the drive with another scoring pass to Calderon, on a fourth-and-21 play from the 22-yard line.

The Panthers appeared to have recovered another onside attempt, but a referee’s whistle blew the play dead and Chapman kicked again. This time Occidental recovered and drove for a final touchdown.