Three touchdowns in a game is an incredible feat for a quarterback, a wide receiver or a running back in football. For a linebacker to accomplish this feat? Nearly unheard of. 

That is exactly what Dillon Keefe accomplished last Nov. 23, when the Panthers defeated Linfield College 68-65 on a brisk fall night for the first playoff victory in the history of their program.

“The three touchdowns in the game were already a pretty exceptional thing to do,” said head coach Bob Owens. “Then, alongside that, he was trying to sack the quarterback a few times in the game, who was also an All-American.”

That performance, among many, was one of the reasons why the senior standout was selected as a preseason First Team All-American by D3football.com Sept. 3, and why Owens enjoys utilizing Keefe’s unique talents on the defensive side of the ball.

“There is no question that the success of the program and Dillon’s success run alongside each other,” he said. “Anytime you have a guy of Dillon’s skill level, work level and performance, it makes the entire team better.”

To achieve that level of excellence, Keefe puts in quite a bit of unseen work both on and off the field. 

“One of my goals coming into Chapman was being made an All-American,” Keefe said. “I did a lot of manifestation and preparation and put a lot out on the table – not only on the football field but also in the weight room, in the classroom and just outside of football to get me to where I wanted to be. And it paid off.”

Now that Keefe has accomplished his goal of being named to the All-American team, he continues to look forward to the future. Although envisioning the future may be difficult due to the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, Keefe is sure of one thing: he isn’t ready to hang up his helmet anytime soon. 

“I’m planning on taking one of my major classes next fall so that I can come back and play another season,” Keefe said. “Or I would play in the spring if we do end up having a season, which is currently being talked about as an option.”

Keefe has a goal of pursuing a spot in the NFL after college, although nothing is certainly set in stone yet; but most importantly, his time at Chapman has taught him the importance of a strong work ethic and a desire to win. 

“I’ve played with and against some really good athletes and there's a lot of guys that think of themselves as better athletes because of where they came from or the team that they're on, and it's never been about that,” Keefe said. “It's always been about who works harder and who wants it more.”