Box Score Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
ORANGE, Calif. – On a night where the Poets wanted to be the spoilers came out to be the other way around as the Panthers totaled 10 touchdowns from 10 different players en route to a 72-40 lopsided victory dropping Whittier to 0-3, 0-1 SCIAC.
Chapman had a school record 5,430 fans in attendance for their homecoming game scoring the second most points in school history (79 in 1995). Whittier totaled 483 yards of total offense (301 passing, 182 rushing), while Chapman combined for 525 yards (215 passing, 309 rushing) in a contest that featured a Chapman school record 112 combined points.
Chapman tallied the first points of the game on a 52 yard flea flicker from Raymond Huizar to Robin Harris on its second play from scrimmage. The next two possessions for the Poets they were forced to punt, on the second however punt returner Blayr Jimmerson fumbled the reception after being stripped by Justin Vlahos (Bakersfield, Calif.) and Cameron Coon (Whittier, Calif.) coughing up the ball on the Panther seven yard line and recovered by Austin Brasher (Covina, Calif.) setting up a one yard touchdown run from senior tailback Anthony Walker (San Diego, Calif.) that tied the game up at 7-7.
After a 77 yard drive and a score in less than two and a half minutes for Chapman that once again put them in front the Poets responded on their ensuing series with Chris Lopez (Glen Avon, Calif.) connecting with Diante Jackson (Oakland, Calif.) for a 41 yard touchdown strike but due to a missed extra point CU would hold onto a 14-13 lead.
With 13:40 remaining in the second quarter it was all CU as they would put up 28 unanswered points stemming from two pick sixes, and a fumble recovery, which set up a 14 yard touchdown run from Cody Chapple helping CU enter halftime with a 42-13 lead.
Not willing to go down without a fight the Poet offense came to life out of the break taking advantage of another Jimmerson fumble, which was forced by Gregorio Verdugo (San Diego, Calif.) and recovered by Vlahos setting up Walker for his second rushing touchdown of the game from six yards out capping a three play, 55 yard drive.
Following a 40 yard field goal from Markus Trujillo the Poets saw junior Josh Pride (Oakland, Calif.) perform a highlight reel kickoff return taking the kickoff 94 yards for the score pulling the Poets within 18. Chapman however responded with a read option run from Kean Stancil that moved the score to 52-27.
After back to back three and outs the Poets opted to bring in third string quarterback TJ Jordan (Orcutt, Calif.) who led the Poets 7 plays for 80 yards capped off with a 35 yard scoring strike to Makale Ruiz-McCobb (Pomona, Calif.) bringing life back into the Poets and shortening the Chapman lead to 52-34 with less than two minutes to play in the third.
The momentum the Poets gathered would soon be let go as the ensuing kickoff would be brought back 87 yards into the red zone setting up a 20 yard touchdown reception to Anthony Ezeakunne that gave CU a 59-34 heading into the final quarter.
Opening up the final quarter the Poets charged all the way down the field setting up a 1st and Goal opportunity from the CU 7 but after four plays the Poets came away empty. After a Dolberry rushing touchdown, which capped off a 64 yard run from Chapple the Poets managed to bring across another score from Walker on their next series capping off an 11 play 63 yard drive that covered 2:55. But this would be the final points Whittier would muster as the Panthers would go on to add a 23 yard rushing touchdown from Maranville which put the final touches on the Homecoming victory for CU.
Jordan finished with 171 yards passing on 13-26 and a score, while Lopez totaled 130 yards on 16-25 and a score. Walker once again reached the 100 yard rushing plateau finishing with 21 carries for 121 yards and three touchdowns averaging 5.8 rushes per game.
Jackson collected his first 100 yard game as he finished with eight catches for 119 yards and a touchdown. Ruiz-McCobb collected 87 yards and a score.
Masson Blow (Sacramento, Calif.) and Nathan Poole (San Diego, Calif.) led the defensive unit with seven tackles each. Poole, Trevor Phillips (La Habra, Calif.), and Mundo Guzman (Covina, Calif.) each had a sack.
Whittier still seeking their first victory of 2013 turns their sites now on La Verne on the road next Saturday, October 12 beginning at 7:00pm.
