ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University football team celebrated Homecoming with its first shutout in nine years, a 58-0 win over visiting Pomona-Pitzer Colleges in front of a sellout and record crowd of 5,620 at Ernie Chapman Stadium on Saturday night.
Chapman (3-1 overall, 2-0 SCIAC) compiled 604 yards of total offense and scored touchdowns on each of its first six possessions to run its winning streak to three games and remain unbeaten in SCIAC play. Meanwhile, the Panthers' defense was equally impressive, holding Pomona-Pitzer (0-4 overall, 0-2 SCIAC) to just 12 first downs and gaining three turnovers.
The shutout was the Panthers' first since Oct. 1, 2005 in a 53-0 win over Lewis & Clark (Ore.) and the first under head coach Bob Owens.
On two occasions Pomona-Pitzer got close to scoring only to have the Chapman defense come up with big interceptions in or around the endzone. In the second quarter the Sagehens drove to the Chapman 25 yard line when a pass into the endzone was tipped up in the air by sophomore DB Conner Larkin and pulled down by senior DB Osayande Aikhionbare.
The Sagehens got even closer in the fourth quarter, threatening the Chapman shutout with their longest offensive drive of the night: nine plays, 63 yards and into the red zone on the Panthers' 12 yard line. But freshman DB Matt Guttridge, picked a perfect time for his first career interception, grabbing a pass on the 1 yard line. He returned it 11 yards to preserve the shutout. Guttridge added two tackles and two pass breakups in the game.
The Chapman onslaught began right away as its first drive traveled 99 yards on 12 plays and ended with a 7-yard touchdown run by senior QB Michael Lahey. The ensuing PAT attempt was blocked leaving the Panthers with a 6-0 lead with 5:32 remaining in the first.
But it was the Panthers' second drive that set the tone for the game. After a three-and-out by the Sagehens' offense, Chapman took possession on its own 39 yard line and on its second play, connected on a flea-flicker pass from senior QB Raymond Huizar to a diving senior WR Sean Davey for 46 yards and down inside the Pomona 10. Three plays later Lahey connected with senior WR Blayr Jimmerson on a 2-yard touchdown pass to make it 13-0 Panthers.
Chapman had its biggest output in the second quarter, with three rushing touchdowns, including back-to-back 1-yard scoring runs by junior RB Jeremiah McKibbins and the first of two 1-yard TD runs by senior RB Terrell Dolberry. The Panthers led 34-0 at halftime.
Chapman, which earned 396 of its offensive yards on the ground, spread the wealth between eight different carriers all with at least five touches. Senior RB Kean Stancil led the way with 10 carries and 88 yards, followed by Dolberry who totaled 67 yards and two scores.
After a fireworks show at halftime, the Chapman offense provided more in the second half. Lahey and Jimmerson teamed up again on a 20-yard touchdown pass to make it 48-0 with 10:34 remaining in the third quarter, followed by Dolberry's second touchdown run of the night.
A 26-yard field goal by freshman Lucas Alfonso and a 4-yard touchdown run by junior RB Jesse Cauble capped the scoring for Chapman in the fourth quarter.
Chapman returns to Ernie Chapman Stadium next Saturday to host Occidental College at 7 p.m. in a battle between two unbeaten SCIAC teams, both at 2-0. The Panthers are looking for their third win in a row against the Tigers after a 35-16 win in Los Angeles in 2013.