Box Score Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College football senior day was spoiled Saturday as the Panthers of Chapman University came in and rolled to the 45-19 victory at Memorial Stadium earning their seventh Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) victory of the season.
Whittier wraps up their 2014 campaign 2-7, 1-6 SCIAC, while Chapman clinched the SCIAC Championship Title improving to 8-1, 7-0 SCIAC.
Prior to the game, Head Coach Todd Stratton recognized his 11 seniors who were playing in their final collegiate game. These seniors included Erek Brown (San Dimas, Calif.), Masson Blow (Sacramento, Calif.), TJ Jordan (Orcutt, Calif.), Josh Pride (Oakland, Calif.), Jontavious Timmons (Tampa, FL), Trevor Phillips (La Habra, Calif.), Zachary Ouderkerken (Fullerton, Calif.), Marcell Blow (Lompoc, Calif.), Sam Bettencourt (Downey, Calif.), Joshua Enrico (Norwalk, Calif.), andNathan Blaikie (Whittier, Calif.).
Coming into the game the Poets had combined for 411 yards of total offense and had put up a mere six points in their past three games. But this afternoon they put up 19 points and put together 299 yards of total offense (162 Passing/137 Rushing).
Chapman jumped out in front quickly 21-0 after the first quarter. Michael Lahey ran it in from nine yards out on the Panthers first possession and then found Blayr Jimmerson on their first play from scrimmage on their next series for a 33 yard strike capitalizing on a fumble recovery by Alex Rorie.
Jeremiah McKibbins would then get into the mix minutes later leading the charge on CU's next possession breaking open a 57 yard scamper, which then set up his one yard touchdown run.
In the second CU would add to their lead led by Lahey who would convert on 2nd and 12 going 28 yards down to the Whittier 12, which then set up a Cody Chapple rush from 12 yards out.
Whittier would get some momentum back in their favor with 7:35 to play in the quarter when Mundo Guzman (Covina, Calif.) would pick off Lahey going 52 yards down to the Panther 30. On the Poets next play, they would run some trickery with a pass from Jordan going to Drew Lewis (Turlock, Calif.) out in the flat who then found a wide open Javi Zaragosa (Vacaville, Calif.) at the Chapman four. This would then lead to the Poets first touchdown with Jordan finding Justin Vlahos (Bakersfield, Calif.) in the back of the endzone.
Chapman would then respond putting together a 10-play 60-yard drive that ended in a 30 yard field goal from Markus Trujillo that moved the score to 31-7 at the break.
Out of the half, Chapman would strike first capitalizing on a botched Poet punt return with Raymond Huizar finding Riley Guilbeaut down the seam for a 33 yard touchdown strike.
At the end of the third, Chapman earned a 1st and Goal opportunity from the nine and had three chances to punch it from a yard out but the Poet front line stood strong forcing a turnover on downs. But on the first play on the ensuing series, Jordan would be intercepted by Cameron Page that set up another 1st and Goal opportunity for CU. This time they wouldn't be denied as McKibbin would run it in from a yard out that made the score 45-7.
The Poets wouldn't go away quietly however as they would put up 12 points to finish the contest. Andrew Chavez would fumble for the Panthers, which was recovered by Alex Lopez (Lakewood, Calif.). Whittier then punched it in when Jordan found Brown on a screen pass, which he took 17 yards to the house.
Whittier would force another turnover on Chapman's next possession but this time from Tyquion Ballard (Los Angeles, Calif.) who stripped Terrell Dolberry, which was then recovered by Phillips. Nothing would come by the turnover but with 6:19 to play the Poets would strike again this time Jordan finding a wide open David Lantow (San Francisco, Calif.) from 14 yards out.
Jordan finished the day 13-30 for 136 yards and three touchdowns. Blow rushed 14 times for 83 yards, while Vlahos led the receiving core with five catches for 53 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Phillips added to his conference lead in tackles with 11 (4 solo, 7 assisted) and tackles for losses with one, while Diego Villasenor (Linda, Calif.) collected a game high 13 tackles (2 solo, 11 assisted). Guzman put together his best game of the season finishing with nine tackles (5 solo, 4 assisted), while collecting 1.5 tackles for losses and an interception with a 52 yard return.
For Chapman, Lahey was 12-18 for 159 yards and a score. He also had 66 yards rushing and a touchdown. McKibbins rushed 15 times for 98 yards and two scores, while Jimmerson hauled in three catches for 57 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively for Chapman, Devin Ray led in tackles with 7 (2 solo, 5 assisted) and forced a fumble, while Connor Larkin picked up six tackles (4 solo, 2 assisted).
