Last Week
After starting the season 4-1, Chapman dropped its second game in a row, this time to Occidental 27-17. Chapman had no trouble moving the ball, outgaining Occidental 444-340, but committed four turnovers including two fumbles inside Occidental's 25 yard line. Occidental passed for 271 yards and three touchdowns through the air.
Leaning on the Run Game
In seven games this season, the Panthers have totaled 1,077 yards rushing for an average of 153.85 yards per game. Chapman is on pace to top last year's 1,210 yards rushing which was the highest rushing total for the team since Coach Owens took over in 2006. The Panthers have rushed for over 200 yards three times this year. The Chapman single-season team rushing record was 2,639 yards in 1995, the year that the team finished 8-1.
Against Occidental, junior RB Chad Milburn rushed for 93 yards, falling just short of his third-straight 100 yard rushing game. Milburn has rushed for 472 yards on 87 carries this season for an average of 5.4 yards per carry. His 472 yards rushing is the most for a Chapman running back since Mike Christensen ran for 777 yards in 2008.
The Difference Between Day and Night
The Panthers are glad to be back playing at home in a night game. Chapman's back-to-back losses have been day games on the road to La Verne and Occidental. This year, the Panthers are 0-2 in day games and 1-3 on the road. Conversely, the Panthers are 4-1 in night games and 3-0 at Ernie Chapman Stadium. All-time, Chapman is 21-36 in day games and 55-49 at night.
Kunitomo Moving Up CU Single-Season TD Ranks
With six receiving touchdowns this year, junior WR Kali'i Kunitomo ranks third all-time in Chapman's single-season record book. The school record for receiving touchdowns is nine, which has been accomplished four times, most recently in 2002 by Lorenza Wilson. Kunitomo's six touchdowns this season is the most for a Chapman receiver since 2002.
Defense Stout Against the Run
Extra, Extra (Points)
Thanks to the footwork of junior Mauricio Alfonso and senior Jimmy Adranly, the Panthers have successfully kicked 38 consecutive PATs dating back to last season. In fact, Alfonso has been perfect in his career going 42 for 42 over the past two seasons. They still have a ways to go to touch the school record from 2007-09 when Chapman kicked 54 extra points consecutively.
Alfonso Remains in National Rankings
Alfonso had one field goal on Saturday, maintaining his one field goal per game average which ranks 27th nationally. Alfonso is 6 for 8 this season including 2 for 2 on 40-yarders which is his season high. Alfonso has done the majority of his damage this year from between 30-39 yards going 4 for 6.
Chapman is 5-11 all-time vs. Cal Lutheran and has lost three games in a row in the matchup. The Kingsmen topped the Panthers 27-6 last season. Chapman last defeated Cal Lutheran in 2007, 44-30.
Cal Lutheran in 2011
For the third-consecutive season, Cal Lutheran has captured the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) title and a spot in the NCAA playoffs. The No. 9 Kingsmen won the conference outright after defeating Claremont-Mudd-Scripps last week 54-6. Cal Lutheran has won six-straight games after losing its season opener to No. 5 Linfield 24-14. The Kingsmen are averaging 42 points per game which ranks 11th nationally and have scored 52 points or more in four-straight games.
Cal Lutheran's Offense: Pick Your Poison
The Kingsmen enter Saturday's game with one of the more balanced offensive attacks in the nation. Cal Lutheran averages 247 yards per game rushing and 237.71 yards passing which rank 18th and 53rd in Division III, respectively. The Kingsmen's 484.71 yards of total offense ranks 9th in Division III. Cal Lutheran QB Jake Laudenslayer ranks 4th in Division III in passing efficiency with a QB rating of 167.86 and 27th in total offense. RB Daniel Mosier averages 112.43 yards per game which is 25th so either way, Chapman's defense has its hands full.
Chapman Football on Air
For the fifth-straight year, Chapman has partnered with the school's on-campus radio station, Chapman Radio, to broadcast all nine Panthers' football games in 2011 streaming live on the internet at http:www.chapmanradio.com/sports. A rotation of on-air student talent will provide play-by-play and commentary for every down of Chapman football.