THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — For the second week in a row, the Chapman University football team did not allow a touchdown in a 20-9 victory over Cal Lutheran. The defense added a touchdown of its own to take command of a close game in the first half.
A few traded field goals gave Cal Lutheran an early 6-3 advantage but the the Panthers' seized momentum when Matthew Dragich saved a punt from bouncing into the end zone so that it could be downed on the two yard line. One the Kingsmen's first play, Jake Treibatch shot through the line to meet the running back in the end zone. He jarred ball loose for Tyler Boynton to jump on for a defensive score.
Chapman added a field goal as time expired to end the first half, taking a 12-6 lead into the locker room. The defense continued to limit Cal Lutheran's offense throughout the second half, allowing just three more points and getting a pair of fourth down stops.
Andrew Latu added a touchdown in the second half – the only offensive touchdown of the game – and Carson Nichols kicked another field goal to move up to third all-time Chapman with 18 in his career.
The Panthers' Â defense also held the their opponent to negative rushing yards for the second week in a row. Cal Lutheran managed just negative five rushing yards in the game and 203 passing yards. The Panthers had eight tackles for loss, including four sacks, sending the Kingsmen back 41 yards.
Jake Underwood led the defense with three of Chapman's four sacks. Kelton Jones had nine tackles, broke up a pass and grabbed the game-sealing interception.
Six different Panthers carried the ball, combining for 116 yards on the ground. Latu led that charge with 66 yards and the touchdown. Kash Henjum caught seven passes for 61 yards. Eli Brandt threw for 137 yards and ran for 18.
The Panthers completed an unblemished trip through the SCIAC with a 7-0 record heading onto the SCIAC Championship Game. Chapman will host the SCIAC Championship for the second year in row, taking on CMS at 1 p.m on Saturday.
