ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University football team claimed its fifth SCIAC title with a 27-17 victory over Cal Lutheran in the SCIAC Championship Game. Chapman moves on to the NCAA Tournament and will find out its pairing in tomorrow's selection show at 2 p.m.
As the divisional era of SCIAC football comes to a close, Chapman won its second of three titles games and fifth SCIAC title overall. They are also the first team to win eight SCIAC games in a singles season, completing a perfect 8-0 SCIAC season in 2025.
After trailing by as much as 10 points early on, Tyler Pacheco leaped over a pile on the goal line to punch in Chapman's final touchdown for a 27-17 lead with less than four minutes to go. As the rain subsided and the sun broke through the clouds, Pacheco's touchdown sent Ernie Chapman Stadium into a frenzy under the brightest of rainbows.
After emerging from the locker room for the third quarter down 17-14, Chapman limited Cal Lutheran to just four possessions in the second half. The defense forced a four-and-out turnover on downs on the first and final drives and ended the middle drives with a fumble and interception.
Offensively, the Panthers put together a 13-play, 70-yard scoring drive in the third to take a 21-17 lead and an 11-play, 80-yard drive to add to it in the fourth. All four of Chapman's scoring drives spanned at least 70 yards. Andrew Latu punched in the first touchdown and Jash Henjum hauled in a seven-yard fade just before halftime for the Panthers' first two scores.
Kade Zimmerman caught an 8-yard touchdown pass to take the lead in the third quarter before Pacheco leapt into the end zone to seal the victory in the fourth.
The Panthers ran for 148 yards and passed for another 176. Cal Lutheran threw for 146 yards and ran for 123 yards.
The Chapman defense had multiple chances for takeaways in the first half and did not let the opportunities slip in the second half. Wade Smith grabbed an interception after Caleb Padrid tipped the pass up for grabs. The next drive saw Andrew Buck strip Cal Lutheran quarterback Joe Farley but Farley fell onto the fumble.
RJ Cannan stripped Mehki Delouth on the next play and Isaiah Lee jumped on the loose ball to end a promising drive for Cal Lutheran in a critical moment. Chapman responded to both turnovers with length touchdown drive to gain control of the game.
The Panthers' fifth SCIAC title has them awaiting the announcement of the 40-team bracket, which will air on Sunday at 2 p.m.
