ORANGE, Calif. – A short field goal sailed to the left as time expired and the Chapman University football team came away with a 24-21 victory over No. 19 Linfield in its 2026 home-opener. Jason Bruce scored on special teams and on offense to lead Chapman to the win.
Bruce's first touchdown breathed life into the Panthers after a slow start. Down 7-0, Linfield was punting from its own end zone. Bruce not only blocked the punt but swallowed it up and landed in the end zone for the Panthers first score of the game.
In the third quarter, Bruce struck again to give Chapman the lead once more. After a fumble set Chapman up in the red zone just over one minute into the second half, Bruce caught a quick pass, broke a tackle and surged into the end zone for a 21-7 Chapman lead.
Bruce ended the day with seven catches for 84 yads and a touchdown to go along with his blocked punt and special teams touchdown. Eli Brandt threw for 220 yards and two TDs while also running for a touchdown. Kash Henjum caught a touchdown just before halftime to tie the game at 14-14.
The Chapman defense stood up the Wildcats on the goal line multiple times to also lead Chapman for just its fourth win over a ranked team all-time. In the fourth quarter, Caleb Padrid intercepted a pass in the end zone after Linfield had marched the ball down to the four yard line. An earlier stop in the red zone resulted in the middle of three missed field goals for Linfield.
Finally, the Panthers made the most important stand with time winding down in the fourth quarter while clinging to a three-point lead. The Panthers appeared to clinch the game with another interception in the end zone – this time by Jacob Gaudi – but a pass interference call put the Wildcats on the two with a first down.
Luke McNabb was forced to throw away two passes and then was wrapped up by Carson McKelheer and Nic Ramos behind the line of scrimmage on third down to force the field goal that missed left as time expired.
Gaudi had 11 tackles in the game while Reagan Palmer had six tackles with a pair of pass breakups. Tyler Boynton had a pair of sacks, including the forced fumble to start the third quarter that set up Bruce's receiving touchdown on the next play.
Linfield outgained Chapman 388-323 but the special teams touchdown and two turnovers proved to be too costly to overcome.
Chapman earned its fourth win over a ranked opponent all-time. The last time Chapman defeated a ranked opponent was the last time Linfield made the trip to Orange, Calif. for the First Round of the NCAA Tournament in 2019.
The Panthers continue the homestand as they open up SCIAC play next week against La Verne at 7 p.m.
