Claremont-Mudd-Scripps won its first SCIAC Football Championship since 2022 with a 19-14 win over Chapman in the title game on Saturday, November 14, in Orange, Calif. 

After a scoreless first quarter, the Panthers got on the board first with a 10-yard touchdown run by quarterback Eli Brandt. The Stags answered on their final possession of the half with a 12-play 65-yard drive, culminating with a field goal. 

CMS got the ball first in the second half and immediately went 75 yards down the field for a touchdown, as Robert Litscher connected with Noah Macapulay for a 16-yard score. On the Stags' next possession, Chapman forced a punt but muffed the return, allowing CMS to recover the ball. The Stags then converted the turnover into a field goal to extend their lead, 13-7.

In the fourth quarter, the Panthers marched into CMS territory but an interception halted the drive and set the Stags up on the opposing 37-yard line. Once again, CMS scored off of the change of possession with a 21-yard Litscher touchdown pass to James Ryan.

Chapman cut the lead to five, 19-14, on a touchdown and stopped the Stags on offense to get the ball back with 2:26 left. After two quick first downs and three-yard rush, CMS forced a third interception to seal the game. 

Litscher finished the game with 226 passing yards on 23-of-31 attempts with two touchdowns and no interceptions. 

As the SCIAC's automatic qualifier for the NCAA Tournament, the Stags will await their opponent in the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.