ORANGE, Calif. – Interim head coach Casey Shine picked up his first career victory as the Chapman University football team cruised to a 56-6 win over La Verne to open SCIAC play. The Panthers outgained the Leopards by nearly 400 yards in the victory.

Shine's first victory saw dominant efforts on both sides of the ball as Chapman ran for 348 yards and held La Verne to just 157 yards of total offense. Fisher Huss led the effort on the ground as he nearly doubled his career total with 113 yards and two touchdowns. Tyler Pacheco and Jake Foye each rushed for over-50 yards as well.

The Panther defense stifled La Verne's offense all night, allowing just seven first downs – most of which came in the fourth quarter with the game already well in hand. Of the 37 tackles that Chapman made, 12 came behind the line scrimmage.

The Panthers scored first as Andrew Latu punched in his first of two touchdowns from one yard out. They took off with four touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 35-0 lead into halftime. The lead grew to 42-0 as Chapman scored first in the third quarter before La Verne could answer with a long touchdown pass.

The Leopards ran just five plays beyond the 50 yard line as each of their first seven drives ended in their own half of the field. Chapman punctuated a stout defensive effort with a fourth down stand on the 10 yard line to end La Verne's most promising drive.

In total, Chapman gained 556 yards to La Verne's 157. A 44-yard punt return from Brendon Manzano and a blocked punt by Kelton Jones led a strong special teams effort as well.

The Panthers will look to ride the momentum of their first win of the year into the annual Homecoming game next week against Redlands.