Author: Jack McHenry
Perhaps the most anticipated event of Occidental College’s homecoming weekend was the 1:00 p.m. football game against Chapman at Jack Kemp Stadium on Oct. 29. The weekend included a variety of events and games, all of which occurred in a festive environment attended by students, parents and alumni.
Occidental came into the game with a 3-3 overall record and was looking to get their first home victory of the season. Chapman had a lopsided advantage in the running game, gaining 208 yards and scoring two touchdowns as opposed to Occidental’s 69 yards and one score. Despite this, the Tigers were able capture a 27-17 victory from the visiting Panthers.
While Occidental’s rushing leader Wes McDaniel (junior) was not at 100 percent due to a nagging knee injury, the passing attack led by quarterback Luke Collis (senior) flourished. Collis passed for 271 yards and three touchdowns, finding Matthew Tuckness (junior) on a long 69-yard touchdown pass and Ryan Rodriguez (junior) for two more scores.
Collis’s two biggest plays both came on fourth down. In the third quarter, Collis connected with receiver Sam Stekol (first-year) on fourth and four to keep a drive alive that ended in a go-ahead touchdown for the Tigers. Then, up by three late in the fourth quarter, Collis saw a hole in the defense and launched a pass to Rodriguez for a 27-yard touchdown on fourth and one, giving Occidental a 10-point advantage.
Turnovers were the most telling statistic of the game, as Chapman gave Occidental the ball four times while the Tigers had a turnover-free night. Chapman lost two fumbles and quarterback Bret Visciglia (senior) threw two interceptions to Jordan Lance (sophomore) and Carter Norfleet (senior), respectively. Lance’s interception came on Chapman’s final drive of the game and sealed the victory for the Tigers.
Wide receiver Bobby Phillips (senior) offered his insights on what led to Occidental’s success. “[The keys to the game for us were] determination and heart,” said Phillips. “They tried to keep our offense off the field and tried to run the ball and wear us down, but our defense ended up wearing them out. The defense showed willpower, and the family aspect of our team showed tremendously.”
By getting their first home win of 2011 in front of the largest crowd of the year, Occidental now moves to 4-3 overall on the season and 2-2 in the SCIAC. Next week, the Tigers will face Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, a game which will determine who holds the third-place spot in the SCIAC Conference.
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