Fighting Irish Pounce the Panthers in Chapman

The Concordia Panthers traveled to Chapman on October 2 to take on the Fighting Irish, looking to snap a three-game losing streak and get back in the win column. 

Chapman, however, had other plans. In front of a packed homecoming crowd, the Fighting Irish came out and took care of business. Chapman controlled the game from start to finish, running over the Panthers on their way to a commanding 52-8 victory. The first time the Irish have won four games in a season since 2021.

The Irish won the coin toss and elected to receive. The opening drive would wind up producing one of the few highlights on the night for the Panthers. On the 9th play of the Irish possession, star running back Audiel Becker fumbled inside the Panther twenty. Senior Kale Schroeder would scoop up the loose ball and run it back 24 yards in the other direction to set up the offense with good field position.

Unfortunately for Concordia, the momentum would not translate to points as the Panthers would be stuffed on four downs and turn the ball back over to the Irish.

The first quarter would pass quickly as both defenses would trade stops and remain scoreless.

The rest of the night would not go the Panthers' way as the Irish dropped 30 points in the second quarter to go into halftime with a commanding lead. The Panther offense had just 2 first downs in the first half as the Chapman defense swarmed Concordia all night.

Chapman's senior standout Audiel Becker would have the moment of the night as he surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in just 5 games. Becker needed 139 yards to reach the mark and finished the night with over 200. 

Becker and the Irish would continue to dominate as Chapman would keep the ball on the ground for most of the second half and drain the clock. 

The Panthers would not go down scoreless, though, as with 43 seconds left in the contest, freshman Brantley Ingwerson was able to punch one in to put the Panthers on the board.

Kale Schroeder was the Swenson Jerdoe Family Farms Player of the Game on the night as he had a fumble recovery, a reception, and punts of 42 and 53 yards. 

The loss drops the Panthers to 1-4 and 1-2 in NCKL play. The road doesn't get easier for Concordia as next week they welcome the 3-1 Wamego Red Raiders into town. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on KNCK Radio 1390/98.3, with the Farm Country Ford Drive to the Game beginning at 6:40.