ABILENE, Texas – The Chapman University football team fell 44-24 in its 2026 season-opener at No. 15 Hardin-Simmons. A strong start for Chapman didn't hold through the second half as Hardin-Simmons pulled away for a comeback win.
The Panthers set the tone of the first half with a 56-yard touchdown on the second play from scrimmage and took a 7-6 lead into the locker room at halftime. Hardin-Simmons set the tone in the second half but returning the opening kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown to take its first lead.
Chapman's first half lead came less than a minute into the game as Blaine Anderson pulled up on a reverse and found a wide open Ryan McKevitt for a 56-yard catch-and-run touchdown.
Unfortunately for Chapman, the Cowboys used the momentum of the kick return to roll in the second half, scoring 38 points while holding the Panthers to 17. The Cowboys scored on every possession in the first half after being held to a pair of field goals in the first half.
Tyler Boynton helped the Panther defense to its first start with a sack and a QB hurry in the first half. He also stopped a fourth down attempt early in the game that kept the Panthers up 7-0. Miles Grossman also had three tackles and a pass breakup, swatting down a ball in the end zone in the first half to force a field goal attempt. Andrew Buck had nine tackles, including two for a loss, to lead the defense.
Eli Brandt threw for 175 yards and a touchdown. Kash Henjum led the receivers with five catches for 106 yards.
The Panthers head into their bye week and will take on Linfield in their home-opener on Sep. 19.
