Chapman University Football: A Legacy of Panther Greatness

After a long hiatus, Chapman University reignited its football program in 1994, marking the beginning of a new era for Panther athletics. Initially unaffiliated with any conference, Chapman found its home in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) in 2012, solidifying its place in collegiate competition.

Quarterbacks: Leading the Offensive Charge

Michael Lahey (2013, Junior)

Lahey's efficiency set him apart. His completion percentage led all Division III teams nationally. According to Doug Aiken, Chapman’s Sports Information Director, Lahey's success wasn't about throwing deep balls but about making the most of every play. Lahey's ability to secure victories was a key factor in his selection. As head coach Bob Owens noted, Lahey's winning record followed him from high school to Chapman. In his senior season, Lahey led the Panthers to their first SCIAC championship.

Curtis Robinson (1994, Sophomore)

In Chapman's pioneer season, Curtis Robinson emerged as the team's top quarterback, leading the Panthers to a 6-2-1 record. Robinson, who had a scholarship offer to USC and was a minor league baseball player, brought a unique skill set to the team. Defensive coordinator David Bishop, who has been with the team since 1994, acknowledged Robinson's athleticism. While Robinson excelled in rushing, Lahey's passing prowess gave him the edge.

Running Backs: Power and Agility in the Backfield

Darnell Morgan (1995, Junior)

Darnell Morgan put up some insane numbers in just the second year since the program had returned and averaged more than two touchdowns per game. According to Owens, if he touched the ball and got on the sidelines, he's done. In 1995, the team went 8-1, with Morgan playing a crucial role in their success, outscoring their opposition 425 to 133. Bishop recalls the attention Morgan garnered from NFL scouts, who were impressed by his speed.

Jeremiah McKibbins (2012, Sophomore)

McKibbins had far more carries. McKibbins had an incredible year. Owens noted McKibbins' dynamic playing style and his ability to score multiple touchdowns in a single game. Even with limited touches, McKibbins made a significant impact in the Panthers' championship season, leading the conference with 14 touchdowns.

Wide Receivers: Catching Glory

Harrison Dull (2007, Senior)

Dull holds every yardage record for Chapman receivers. Owens recalls Dull making a significant impact from the very first game played in the stadium. Despite dealing with injuries in his final year, Dull's ability to control a football game was undeniable.

Marvin Qualls (1999, Junior)

Qualls' selection is based on a combination of yards and touchdowns. Aiken noted that neither Dull nor Qualls were particularly big, so they relied on skill rather than size to beat defenders.

Bobby Calderon (2000, Senior)

Calderon was on the receiving end of nine of them. He also was responsible for 45 percent of the team’s completed passes and 50 percent of its receiving yards. Even with Calderon’s contributions, the Panthers went 2-7 that year and were outscored by their opponents 373-187. Aiken mentioned that Calderon only played one year because he was a two-year starter on Chapman's baseball team.

Martrice Stephens (1996, Junior)

Stephens is one of five Panther receivers to have totaled nine receiving touchdowns on a season. But Stephens’ real impact lies in his average. The guy averaged almost 30 yards every time he touched the ball. And with a long of only 65, you can tell that that number isn’t swayed too much by any outliers. He only had 30 catches on the year, but every time the ball found its way into Stephens’ hands, it was for a game-changing play. This receiver even flipped the script and threw one pass that was completed for a 26-yard touchdown catch.

Tight End: A Receiving Threat

David Vaccaro (1996, Junior)

Vaccaro didn’t put up numbers anything like the top wide outs that have been on the team, but he is far and away the best receiving tight end the school has had. Aiken said Vaccaro was very good. Vaccaro actually holds the school record for career receiving touchdowns with 19.

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Anthony Ezeakunne (2013, Junior)

Chapman doesn’t use tight ends in the passing game as much as some other teams do. Panther receivers shared the wealth in Lahey’s record-setting 2013 season with no receiver totaling more than 450 yards or 5 touchdowns. Aiken said that they use him more so on the block, but he's very athletic and has explosive-type speed.

Offensive Line: The Unsung Heroes

Matt Hertzler (Center, 1994-97, #59)

Despite his small size, Hertzler was able to make a big impact at the center position.

Kelly Akridge (Guard, 1994-95, #63)

Muimoana “Mo” Liva (Tackle, 1994-95, #75)

Liva, Hertzler and Akridge all played together during the 1994 and 1995 seasons. These three were a big reason Darnell Morgan was able to put up such ungodly numbers. In fact, in ’95 these three helped Chapman set school records for most rushing yards and most rushing touchdowns in a season. Bishop said that Akridge and Liva, those were the real guys that could have played at higher levels.

Mark Shafer (Center, 1998-2001, #50)

Shafer and Akridge are the only two athletic All-Americans Chapman has had on its O-line.

Justin Shulte (Tackle, 2005-2008, #66)

Special Teams: Kicking and Returning Excellence

Matt George (Place Kicker, 1997, Senior)

Sixty percent isn’t very impressive, but what is impressive is George’s range. Matt Deter kicked Chapman’s longest field goal, a 55-yarder, but George owns the next three longest. George made it to the NFL, playing in a single game for the Pittsburgh Steelers before transitioning to a six-year career in the Arena Football League. In 1998, in his lone NFL game, George converted two extra points and had his only field goal attempt blocked. Bishop said that Matt George is a place kicker who kicked in the NFL and then kicked in the arena leagues.

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Mario Acosta (Punter, 1996, Junior)

Acosta has the longest yards-per-punt average of any Chapman punter. Bishop said that that's a position we've been fortunate to have some of the best kickers in Division III in Southern California - in the nation really - in several years.

Oscar Ford (Kick/Punt Returner, 1995, Senior)

Ford certainly lived up to his name. He averaged more yards per return than any Panther kick returner with five or more returns in a season. Bishop said that Oscar Ford was a kid out of Servite that had a scholarshio to Florida State, (got injured) and bounced back, and he was an NFL player. Ford took it to the house three times as a return man in ’95, twice returning punts and once returning a kickoff.

Defensive Line: The First Line of Defense

Efraim Miranda (1994, Senior)

Miranda was an unbelievable force on the defensive line. He led the team in sacks and was a close second in tackles. And normally linebackers are the ones leading in tackles. On top of that, he broke up four passes and even picked off a pass. He added a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

Robert Ernster (1994, Sophomore)

Ernster holds the school record with 28 career sacks. Besides being a great pass rusher, Ernster was just always around the ball.

Toney Eggleston (1994, Junior)

Eggleston was overshadowed by his teammates, but he still put up very good numbers in both tackles and sacks. He also holds the school record with six career fumble recoveries.

Bob Burton (2008, Junior)

Owens said that if he was on the last three years' defensive football teams, he would have been a phenomenal guy with support around him. Even so, Burton led his team in sacks and was fourth on the team in tackles.

Linebackers: The Heart of the Defense

Keith Dykes (1998, Senior)

Dykes was the only player in Chapman’s history to be named an American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) First-Team All-American. He also holds the school’s record with 40 career tackles for loss and is third in career tackles. Bishop said that to be the First-Team AFCA All American in an area where were an independent and start-up program where nobody back east cared about us, it goes to show you how good he was. According to Owens, maybe the three best guys to ever walk through here, may have been Curtis [Robinson], the quarterback, may have been the running back [Darnell Morgan] and him [Dykes].

Donnie Hohman (2002, Senior)

Hohman led the nation in tackles in 2002. He holds all of Chapman’s records for career tackles - solo tackles, assisted tackles and total tackles.

Kenison Poching (1994, Junior)

Poching only played for Chapman in 1994, but he was an important part of that inaugural team, leading the defense with 130 total tackles. If ball carriers were fortunate enough to get through the defensive line that included Miranda, Ernster and Eggleston, they had to face Poching. Poching made an impact in other ways too. While he didn’t have any sacks, he hurried the quarterback twice.

Defensive Backs: The Last Line of Defense

Dino Rossi (2001, Senior)

Rossi led the nation with nine interceptions in 2001. Three of his interceptions came in one game against Azusa Pacific. Rossi was also the team’s primary kick returner in ’01. Though he never found the end zone either on defense or on special teams, he averaged 13 return yards per interception. In addition to his record-setting interceptions, Rossi broke up six more passes. He also had a respectable amount of tackles and five tackles for loss - pretty rare for a cornerback.

Mark Hastings (1999, Junior)

On top of 43 tackles, Hastings was terrific pass defender, intercepting six passes and knocking down seven more. However, Hastings made the most noise after he intercepted the ball.

Sean Ward (2006, Senior)

Owens said that every game he was a human highlight film. But Ward still held his own in pass coverage as well, knocking down five passes and picking off two. Ward also played basketball at Chapman for two years, coming off the bench.

Richard Dinh (2005, Senior)

Dinh affected the game in a lot of ways. He was second on his team in tackles and led the team in interceptions and tackles for loss. Dinh was making noise wherever he was on the field, whether it was in the secondary, behind the line of scrimmage or even on special teams.

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