MCMINNVILLE, Ore. – A first half lead was erased in the third as the Chapman University football team fell 28-13 at Linfield. The Panthers fell to 0-2 on the season as they closed out a tough non-conference slate.
The Panthers led 13-7 at halftime after a couple of first career touchdowns. Andrew Latu marched into the end zone from nine yards out early in the second quarter. The next drive needed just one play to find the end zone again as Tyler Pacheco hit Emilio Pucci well behind the defense and he walked into the end zone for a 54-yard touchdown.
The defense forced another punt but Chapman found itself pinned down on the two yard line in the late stages of the second quarter. The Panthers marched 76 yards in nine plays and looked to add to their lead just before halftime. However, Kenyon Johnson intercepted a pass in the end zone to squash the threat and keep the Wildcats down just six heading into the locker room.
The Panthers accumulated over 200 yards of offense in the first half while the defense held the Wildcats to less than 100 yards. The lone touchdown came after a long punt return set up first and goal.
The interception at the end of the first half set up a firestorm of momentum shifts that eventually settled into Linfield's favor. The Panthers tried to surprise the Wildcats with an onside kick to start the second half but Linfield recovered. The Wildcats then fumbled on the first play, but the defense responded with a strip sack on the next play.
Two plays later, Linfield was in the end zone and converted the extra point for a 14-13 lead. The Wildcats would not relinquish the lead and stifled the Panthers' offense, which gained just three first downs in the second half.
The Wildcats scored twice in the third on 30-plus yard passes and ran for a final touchdown in the fourth to put the game out of reach.
Chapman committed three turnovers with two interceptions from Pacheco and the lost fumble. The Panthers were also just 1-of-13 on third down conversions in the game.
Jordan Bruce caught three passes for 103 yards. Andrew Buck led the defense with 11 tackles, including three for a loss, while Jacob Gaudi had nine tackles and forced a fumble.
The Panthers return home to open SCIAC play next week as they take on La Verne on Saturday at 7 p.m.
