THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - The Cal Lutheran football team was pitted up against No. 25 Chapman on Saturday night at Rolland Stadium where the Kingsmen eventually fell 45-21 despite a valiant effort.
The Kingsmen began the game forcing the Panthers potent offense to punt on their first possession after gaining just four yards on the drive. Anthony Monroe made a big play on third down getting to the running back to force a loss on the play.
Cal Lutheran made their first possession of the game count, relying on a methodical drive down the field and ending with a Nick Isham three-yard rushing touchdown. The drive lasted for over four minutes and an exciting reverse pass play that David Rico ended up running for 14 yards put Isham in the position for the score. After a Diego Marquez point after attempt was good, the Kingsmen took the 7-0 lead.
That would be their only lead of the game as the Panthers offense proved to be too much in the end. They relied on the big play throughout the game and had four touchdowns of at least 45 yards, with the longest being an 85-yard kickoff return late in the fourth quarter.
Down 14-7 in the second quarter, the Violet and Gold had yet another long drive, this time for 13 plays and 64 yards but were halted at Chapman's 26-yard line. Setting up for the field goal to reduce the deficit was Marquez, but his kick was blocked and the Panthers recovered the ball to take possession not only of the ball but the momentum as well.
The Kingsmen were able to force a turnover on downs from Chapman after four straight plays and got the ball back on their own 22-yard line. Another 13 play drive, this time for 58 yards put CLU in the redzone with time ticking down. Two straight pass attempts into the endzone were dropped and the Kingsmen missed out on a golden opportunity to tie the game before halftime.
In the second half, Chapman showed why they are ranked No. 25 in the nation. Running back Jeremiah McKibbons had two 68-yard rushing touchdowns to add to his game-high 211 rushing yards and in the fourth quarter Noah Rivard returned a Kingsmen kickoff for 85-yards to the house and put the game in the rear view mirror.
The Kingsmen offense was able to crack the goaline twice in the second half as Isaac Seymour caught a seven-yard touchdown from Isham in the third quarter and Ricky Johnson added a three-yard score in the fourth quarter.
Chipping away at the score, the Kingsmen had a chance to get back in the game but two costly interceptions gave Chapman more chances to run down the clock.
Seymour had a strong game for CLU, leading the team in rushing with 55 yards gained by bulldozing down Chapman defenders. Seymour averaged 6.9 yards per carry on his eight carries in the game. Ricoled the team receiving with eight catches for 68 yards and Andrew Worthley caught six passes for 57 yards.
Isham was 26-of-49 for 198 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions. He also added some key runs equaling 50 yards on 14 carries and one touchdown.
Cal Lutheran (2-4, 2-2 SCIAC) hits the road for next weekend's matchup against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (2-4, 1-3 SCIAC) for a 1:00 p.m. start on Nov. 1.
Box Score: CU 45, CLU 21
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