ORANGE, Calif. – A comeback bid came up just short in the season-opener as the Chapman University football team fell 37-30 to No. 6 Hardin-Simmons. The Panthers' defense forced two fumbles and blocked a punt to keep Chapman in striking distance.

The blocked punt came late in the fourth quarter as the Panthers needed a big play to stay in the game. Trailing by 14, Chris Williams blocked the Cowboys' punt from the 32 yard line. As the Panthers and Cowboys tried to fall on it, the ball was pushed all the way back in the end zone, where it was picked up by Hardin-Simmons and fumbled again. Trenton Dewar eventually fell on it to bring Chapman back within a score.

Hardin-Simmons responded with a 31-yard touchdown pass on third-and-five to finish the next drive but Kade Zimmerman hauled in an 11-yard TD with less than one minute left to make it 37-30. The onside kick was covered by HSU and the Cowboys ran out the clock to hold on for the win.

Chapman went into the half tied 10-10 after taking just 85 seconds to drive 61 yards in seven plays and cap it with a 30 yard field goal from Carson Nichols.

Tyler Pacheco ran for 127 yards on 20 carries, including a touchdown. He threw for two more TDs, hitting Brendon Manzano for the Panthers' first score.

HSU ran for 264 yards as a team, led by a pair of 100-yard rushers. Noah Garcia ran for 158 yards and a touchdown while Braylon Henry ran for 122 yards and a touchdown.

Kyle Sieben and Jacob Gaudi each forced fumbles that the Panthers also recovered. Gaudi forced his as he came untouched on a blitz to sack Kyle Brown. The Panthers picked up the fumble on the nine and scored three plays later. Sieben led the Panthers with nine tackles while Gaudi had seven.

Chapman heads into a bye week before traveling up to McMinnville, Ore. On Sep. 20 to take on Linfield.