ORANGE, Calif. — Football is set to host the inaugural SCIAC Championship on Saturday, Nov. 11 against Pomona-Pitzer. Here are five things you need to know heading into the contest.

WINNER TAKES ALL

The first-ever SCIAC title game will take place between the champions of the Sun (Pomona-Pitzer) and Surf (Chapman) divisions. It also deems the conference's automatic qualifier to the NCAA tournament. Pomona-Pitzer reached the tourney last season, where they lost in the first round to Linfield, 51-24.

Chapman's last appearance in the NCAA tournament was in 2019. The Panthers defeated Linfield 68-65 in 3OT and fell to St. John's (Minn.) 55-26 in round two.

COMEBACK KIDS

The Panthers began the season 0-3 — after a heart-breaking no-contest game against Pacific (Ore.) to open the season — following a one score loss to Whitworth, a homecoming loss to Redlands, and a three-point defeat at Cal Lutheran.

Chapman has since strung off a streak of five wins, including two over preseason favorite Claremont-M-S to clinch the Surf Division title. 

DOMINANT DEFENSE 

The Panthers are allowing only 15 points per game this season, and are holding opponents to under seven points since the start of the five-game winning streak. Spearheaded by the linebacker group, the Panthers plus-11 turnover margin tops the SCIAC and is 16th in all of Division III. If Chapman keeps up their current defensive pace, this defense will qualify as the second-lowest scoring defense in program history.

AIRING IT OUT TO ADAMS

While Chapman's run game —  which is averaging just north of 215 yards per game on the ground over the last five games —  has been the driving force of the offense during the win streak, Amir Adams has emerged as a premiere target in the passing game. Earning SCIAC Offensive Athlete of the Week on Nov. 6, Adams caught two touchdown passes for 97 yards. He's now caught five touchdowns and accumulated 554 receiving yards to pace the Panthers.

ABOUT THE SAGEHENS

While the Panthers won the matchup between these two teams earlier in the season, Pomona-Pitzer has since changed quarterbacks and offensive schemes heading into championship week. Grady Russo took over under center and has put up 300-plus yards of offense in all of his starts. While the freshman has only thrown the ball 24 times per game in his starts, it's his staggering 329 rushing yards that have troubled opposing defenses.

The Sagehens defense allowed only 7.5 points per game to Sun Division opponents, but an average of 25 to Surf Division teams. 

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Ernie Chapman Stadium, with the winner punching their ticket to the 32-team NCAA tournament.