NCAA 2019 FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS in CALIFORNIA: LINFIELD COLLEGE FALLS TO CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY IN TRIPLE OT, 68-65

Story by Logan Brandon, McMinnville N-R sports editor, 11/26/2019, with slight editing by Wildcatville. Photos by Wildcatville.

ORANGE, Calif. – What a way to go out.

Linfield College football clashed with Chapman University Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in the first round of the NCAA Division III playoffs held at Ernie Chapman Stadium in Orange, California.

The postseason matchup between the Northwest Conference Champion Wildcats and the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s title-winning Panthers proved a thrilling contest.

It couldn’t be settled in regulation or two overtimes.

When Chapman eventually prevailed in triple OT – winning 68-65 on Tanner Mendoza’s 13-yard touchdown run – the two playoff teams had combined for 133 points and over 1,100 yards of total offense.

His players shouldn’t hang their heads after the tough loss, said Wildcat head coach Joe Smith.

“I’m really proud of them,” he noted. “I was very pleased with how our guys responded after falling in an early hole. We didn’t give up at any point in the game.”

The Wildcats faced an adjustment period against Chapman’s athletic defense. Two turnovers – a strip sack on Wyatt Smith and Keaton Woods’ fumble – granted the Panthers a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.

However, the Linfield offense, led by a career day from Artie Johnson plus Wyatt’s aerial attack, rebounded to overcome deficits of 14-7 and 21-14.

Johnson rushed for a career-best 158 yards and four touchdowns on 29 carries. The junior tail back tallied his finest performances in Linfield’s last three games, accounting for 372 rushing yards and five scores.

Coach Smith credited the ‘Cats’ vaunted passing attack for opening running lanes for Johnson. The speedy halfback responded with an incredible performance in the win-or-go-home playoff.

“We started to face double coverages in the passing game, which opened things for Artie on the inside,” noted Smith.

By halftime, Wyatt had passed for three touchdowns – two to his brother Colton on throws of 22 and 51 yards – but Linfield trailed 28-27.

The Wildcats earned their first lead to start the third quarter. Johnson rumbled 47 yards for the go-ahead score, but Chapman answered three minutes later with Dillon Keefe’s 10-yarder to knot the game at 34.

Both sides scored twice in the fourth quarter, including Johnson’s third and fourth TDs.

In the overtime period, Wyatt handed his Wildcats a seven-point lead on a one-yard QB sneak.

Linfield’s defense could’ve locked up the road victory on Chapman’s ensuing possession, but Reed Vettel shockingly completed a 17-yard pass on fourth down to extend the match.

“We just couldn’t get the stops, especially on that fourth-and-long,” noted Smith.

The Panthers regained the lead on a 25-yard trick play, but Wyatt and Keegan Weiss immediately retaliated with a 25-yarder of their own to make it 62-all.

“I really liked our chances in overtime, because our offense was rolling,” said Smith. “I was pleased with how Wyatt, the receivers and Artie played in this close game.”

Andrew Starkel nailed a 26-yard field goal in the third overtime, but Chapman scored the game-winner in three plays to advance to the second round.

Asked about his team’s defensive performance, Smith responded, “We haven’t seen a team that could run the ball that well in a long time. They had a great offensive line that maintained their blocks throughout the game. I was very impressed with how Chapman played and used their athleticism.”

On offense, Smith threw for 410 yards and four touchdowns with an interception. His two primary receivers – Weiss and Colton – combined for 270 receiving yards and four scores. Tight end Jacob Calo capped his Linfield career with six catches for 97 yards.

Defensively, Tyler Sitton collected ten tackles and broke up two passes. Keyell Davis racked up nine tackles and forced a fumble.

Overall, Coach Smith knows his team learned valuable lessons against the Panthers, saying, “We’re understanding what it takes to play a high level opponent in a playoff atmosphere.”

Reflecting on the season, he added, “I really enjoyed coaching this team from the start of the season to where they are now . . . They overcame adversity and played Linfield football.”

Smith continued, “This senior group was responsible for the cohesiveness of the team this year. It’s been one of the closest teams I’ve coached.”

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See Wildcatville video about game:

https://youtu.be/exNSlIzrSnw


Wildcatville Postscript:

Assuming the Linfield name change takes place, this was the last game in which Linfield COLLEGE football competed. Starting with the 2020 season it'll be Linfield UNIVERSITY football.