ORANGE, Calif. - In front of a record crowd of 4,496 at Ernie Chapman Stadium on Saturday night for homecoming, the Chapman University football team allowed 285 yards rushing to Whittier College as the Poets ran away with a 21-6 victory. Saturday's loss marked the first time that the Panthers have dropped a homecoming game since 2004 when Pacific Lutheran University defeated Chapman 17-3.

Poets' sophomore RB Rodrigo Muratalla finished with 106 yards rushing on nine carries and was one of five Whittier players to have at least 33 yards rushing for the game.

On Chapman's (2-2) first drive of the game, the Panthers drove deep into Whittier territory only to see its drive come up empty on a missed field goal. Whittier also made a long drive on its first possession but failed to score as Poets' sophomore QB Alesana Sausau fumbled on Chapman's 4-yard line and senior MLB Steve Downs recovered the ball for the Panthers.

After forcing a Chapman punt, Whittier (2-2) capitalized on its second possession of the game when senior RB Paul Schilling gave the Poets a 7-0 first quarter lead with a 7-yard touchdown run. Schilling had 55-yards rushing on nine carries for Whittier.

Whittier held a 7-0 lead until 36 seconds left before halftime when sophomore K Jimmy Adranly connected on a 23-yard field goal narrowing the score to 7-3.

The third quarter started well for the Panthers as sophomore MLB Erick Mueller forced a Whittier fumble which senior safety Collin Hoyer recovered on Chapman's 29-yard line. Junior QB Eric Wilcockson then connected with senior WR Kaleo Perez for a 53-yard pass play down to the Poets' 14-yard line that set up a 20-yard field goal by Adranly which brought the Panthers to within a point at 7-6.

Following Chapman's field goal, Whittier drove deep into Panthers' territory and tried to answer with a field goal of its own but once again the Poets were turned away, this time by freshman DL Mike Arakelian who blocked their 27-yard field goal attempt. Although Chapman got the ball back, they couldn't muster any offense on the drive and were forced to punt after a three-and-out.

With 50 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Poets' junior WR Josh Ollison broke loose to score on a 50-yard touchdown pass from Sausau that gave Whittier an eight point lead at 14-6. Whittier then put the game out of reach with 2:35 remaining in the fourth quarter when Sausau scored on a 27-yard touchdown run up the middle giving the Poets a 21-6 lead. A last ditch rally for the Panthers ended when Wilcockson was intercepted by senior DM Eddy Newton at the Poets five-yard line.

Whittier's defense entered the game 175^th in the nation in total defense allowing 399 yards per game but held Chapman to just 232 yards of total offense on the night. Kaleo Perez accounted for nearly half of Chapman's offense with 104 yards receiving on four catches. Junior RB Akio Lloyd added 52 yards rushing for the Panthers.

Chapman's defense combined for 10 tackles-for- loss led by junior safety Jake Fey who had three along with a sack and 13 total tackles. Mueller finished with 12 tackles and one forced fumble and senior OLB Brian Kaltenecker added two sacks.

Boxscore: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/fball/2009-10/stats/wc-cu.htm