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Chapman Catch
Bob Ketterling
26
Winner Chapman CHA 5-1 , 3-0
3
Azusa Pacific APU 1-4 , 0-0
Winner
Chapman CHA
5-1 , 3-0
26
Final
3
Azusa Pacific APU
1-4 , 0-0
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
CHA Chapman 6 14 0 6 26
APU Azusa Pacific 0 3 0 0 3

Game Recap: Football |

Chapman Spoils Return to Cougar Stadium

AZUSA, Calif. -- The long-awaited return to renovated Cougar Stadium brought an electric atmosphere Saturday night, but visiting Chapman University spoiled the celebration, defeating Azusa Pacific 26-3 before a crowd of 1,736 in the first football game played in the facility in 15 years.

The Panthers controlled the game from the outset, using a dominant rushing attack and opportunistic defense to improve to 5-1 overall while handing the Cougars a setback in their stadium debut. Chapman outgained APU 441-174 and rushed for 276 yards in the victory.

Chapman seized momentum on its opening possession. Benefiting from favorable field position after a kickoff penalty, the Panthers marched 54 yards in 8 plays and capped the drive when running back Fischer Huss scored on a 6-yard touchdown run. APU's defense came away with a small victory when Hugo Mendoza blocked the ensuing extra-point attempt, keeping the deficit at 6-0.

The Cougars had an opportunity to answer later in the first quarter after stopping Chapman on fourth down and taking over at the Panther 39-yard line. Junior RB Aaron Mitchell helped move the offense into Chapman territory, but a sack stalled the drive and APU was forced to punt.

Chapman continued to dictate play early in the second quarter. Pinned at its own 1-yard line, the Panthers engineered a methodical 99-yard touchdown drive that spanned nearly 6 minutes. Quarterback Eli Brandt finished the march with a 9-yard scoring run, extending the lead to 13-0.

One of APU's best opportunities came midway through the second quarter. Freshman QB Sawyer Bray connected with Robert Sarmiento on a 27-yard completion to spark a 60-yard drive before Chapman intercepted a pass in the end zone. The Cougar defense immediately returned the favor when Aldo Olweny intercepted Brandt on the next play and returned the ball 11 yards to the Chapman 20-yard line.

The turnover set up the Cougars' lone points of the evening. After the drive stalled, freshman kicker Tyler Nolan drilled a 39-yard field goal with 2:27 remaining in the half, cutting the deficit to 13-3.

Any momentum generated by the score was short-lived. Chapman started its next possession at the APU 44 following a 45-yard kickoff return and drove in for another touchdown. Brandt found Kash Henjum on a 6-yard scoring pass with 27 seconds left before halftime, pushing the Panthers' lead to 20-3.

APU's defense turned in several resilient moments after the break, most notably when Mendoza forced a fumble at the 3-yard line and Curlee Kirkpatrick Jr. recovered at the 1-yard line to deny a Chapman scoring opportunity early in the third quarter. The Cougars also stopped the Panthers on fourth down near midfield later in the period.

The offense, however, could never find consistent footing. The Cougars managed just 71 passing yards and were intercepted 3 times. Chapman recorded 3 sacks and repeatedly forced APU into long-yardage situations.

Brandon Valencia provided a spark after taking over at quarterback in the second half, rushing for a team-high 46 yards and helping direct the Cougars' longest drive of the game from their own 1-yard line into Chapman territory. But the possession ended with an interception near midfield, a theme that repeatedly halted APU advances.

Chapman's ground game took over late. Huss rushed for 162 yards and a touchdown on just 14 carries, repeatedly breaking through for chunk gains. Brandt added 52 rushing yards and a score while throwing for 165 yards and another touchdown.

Despite spending nearly 32 minutes in possession, the Cougars were unable to capitalize. Sarmiento led all receivers with four catches for 52 yards. Defensively, Olweny and Donovan Beckom each recorded 10 tackles, and Mendoza added 6 tackles, a forced fumble, and the blocked extra point.

Chapman added field goals of 30 and 29 yards in the fourth quarter to complete the scoring and secure the 26-3 victory.

With the setback, Azusa Pacific falls to 1-4.  The Cougars visit Pomona-Pitzer next Saturday (Oct. 24) for a 7 p.m. game in Claremont.
 
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