Homecoming weekend: football recap
Players on the football team brought their parents to the field in honor of Chapman Family Homecoming. MAYA BRAUNWARTH, Staff Photographer
Chapman’s football team hosted the Claremont-Mudd Scripps Stags (CMS) this week during Chapman’s Homecoming Family Weekend. In a close game, the Panthers fell to CMS with a final score of 42-34.
Both teams came out strong early. The Panthers were the first to put numbers on the board with a 26-yard field goal from junior kicker and computer science major Ken Baierl. However, not long after, CMS responded with a touchdown drive of their own.
The Stags didn’t give Chapman a chance to respond, stealing the ball back with an interception during the next drive. The Stags then added onto their lead and got another touchdown, putting CMS up 14-3. After a little more back and forth, the Stags led at the end of the first quarter 21-10.
Chapman students and their families filled the Ernie Chapman Stadium for the annual homecoming game. MAYA BRAUNWARTH, Staff Photographer
Chapman was able to keep themselves in the game with a 62-yard touchdown connection from Reed Vettel, senior quarterback and economics major, and Wyatt Hardin, senior wide receiver and business administration major, in the first quarter and then a 28-yard touchdown before the second quarter ended to make it 21-17 right before halftime.
In Chapman’s last possession before the end of the half, the Panthers quickly got down field with catches by senior wide receivers and health science majors Nico Ragas and Zach Shorts. Unable to get a touchdown, Baierl kicked another field goal to make it 21-20 at halftime.
CMS came out hot and hit the ground running when the second half started. They scored on their first two drives, led by quarterback Zack Fogel.
Chapman was able to respond once with a 20-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver and business major John Krall, followed by a great defensive effort that forced CMS to punt to put the ball back in Chapman’s hands.
However, after earning a chance to tie the game, the Panthers threw an interception. The Stags took advantage of Chapman’s mistake and kept the momentum by scoring another touchdown to make the score 42-27.
Trying to put the momentum back in their favor, Chapman bounced back by marching down field and ending the drive with a two-yard touchdown from senior running back and health science major, Tanner Mendoza to pull them within eight points.
During the Panther’s following possession, two completions from Ragas moved them downfield, but an unfortunate fumble stunted their final comeback. CMS recovered the fumble to seal the game at 42-34.
Chapman’s total stats sit at 342 passing yards with Vettel going 22-for-39. Hardin caught six passes for 128 yards. CMS ran for 270 yards on 27 carries. The Stags also passed for 230 yards. Chapman will finish up the season next week with a game against University of La Verne.