RIVER FALLS, Wisc..– The Chapman University football season came to an end in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament with a 58-7 loss to UW-River Falls. The Panthers advanced to the Second Round for the second time in school history after winning their fifth SCIAC title.
As snow fell throughout the game, the Panthers hung tough through most of the first half. Chapman forced a turnover on downs on the Falcons' first drive. UW-River Falls scored on its next two drives but the Panthers cut the lead in half with an 11-play drive that ended with Tyler Pacheco punching in the TD from the two yard line.
The Falcons put together a quick scoring drive and then turned two turnovers into 14 more points before halftime to go into the locker room up 34-7.
Chapman gained 150 yards on the ground but four interceptions and two fumbles proved too costly to overcome against one of the highest scoring offenses in Division III.
Fischer Huss gamed 51 yards on 11 carries while Andrew Latu gained 32 yards on 12 carries. Tyler Pacheco carried the ball 10 times for 30 yards. And was 15-for-39 for 172 passing yards.
Andrew Buck had 10 tackles to lead the defense while Jacob Gaudi had eight tackles. Kelton Jones made 1.5 tackles for loss and the Panthers had three in the game.
The Panthers end the season at 9-3, playing 12 games for the first time for the first time in program history. Their First Round win was the first road win for any SCIAC team. Chapman is the only active team in the SCIAC to win a postseason game.
