Bright lights, red seats and roaring crowds; running out of the tunnel can cause some to crack under the pressure. Football captain and senior Nathaniel Espinoza and senior running back Isaiah Woods maintain composure during this year's football Homecoming game. Celebrating family and tradition, many alumni came together during the Sept. 22 to 23 Homecoming weekend to spend an evening with the Chapman football team. 

“Homecoming is big for football; it's big for the university. Homecoming has developed so much over Chapman's history over the past 10 years. It has a special meaning not only for the current players but for the alumni, students and staff,” Espinoza said. “Spending a whole week focusing on how Chapman University has evolved. That special time of commodity and building on relations.” 

Although this year's Homecoming game was not what the team set out for, Espinoza looks forward to leading his team through future victories.

“It means a lot to me to be captain at such an important game. My teammates are there for me, support me and think highly of me,” Espinoza told The Panther. “It's a great honor being captain. I think we are held to a higher standard.” 

Espinoza continued: “It's awesome I was voted captain by my teammates. They see me as valuable for them in this leadership role. I am allowed a voice, and I feel like I provide a lot of good qualities for us as a team to win.”

Woods similarly feels the importance of leading his team through victory or defeat. He knows his position as starting running back requires him to hold the same leadership skills as Epinsosa in order to help lead the team to success. 

“We have eight to 10 running backs in total. I had to take on this leadership role for this season. I battle with this because I am not the most vocal,” Woods said. “I like to lead by example (and) I work hard and perform on the field. I had to find it within myself to speak up and hold players accountable and be encouraging.”

Woods felt the camaraderie within the team the week before their big Homecoming game, which played a crucial role in building their mental strength coming off a 21-28 loss. The demands of winning can exert a strain on the team's positivity, but Woods places emphasis on their team bond, which is most important in persevering through these adversities.

“We were coming off a loss the week before against Whitworth (University). The week before the homecoming game practice was definitely more intense,” Woods said. “Guys were in the weight room lifting, trying to get stronger for the game. The intensity level leading up to the Homecoming game was big.”

The Homecoming game loss leaves Woods reflecting on what the team could have executed better. Looking at the minor details of each play allows the team to gain a better insight into what holes they had in their game. Woods states that one factor in their Homecoming game loss was the position groups not paying attention to detail in the game play. 

“This whole narrative of attention to detail is something that I have been trying to get across to they guys and something the coaches aspire for. Putting that attention to detail in the game so there was nothing minute to startle the team.” Woods said.

Speaking with Espinoza and Woods, a major self-correction they had for themselves included making themselves accountable, while simultaneously demonstrating to their teammates that moving forward is key. 

“Whenever there is a big loss that is on (me and Woods), we are the ones that are leaders on the team,” Woods said.

The intense rivalry against Redlands during the homecoming game poses a significant challenge due to their experience in success, for Chapman's football team, testing their resilience and morale. Despite facing setbacks and the weight of defeat, Chapman's football team remains determined, keeping their spirits high and heads held proudly for their next conference game against Claremont on Oct. 7.