ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – The Roosevelt Lakers football team recovered from a 14-0 deficit and scored 28 unanswered points en route to defeating seventh ranked Concordia University Ann Arbor in the 2022 home opener at Morris Field.

Prior to the opening kickoff, the Lakers celebrated their 17 senior student-athletes in the annual Senior Day celebration. In the end, it was those seniors that would cement the Lakers hard fought victory.

The Lakers got off to a slow start to begin the game, going three and out on their first two drives of the game. After an errant fourth down snap gave the Cardinals a short field, they capitalized to score the first points of the game, taking a 7-0 lead.

Roosevelt put together its first sustained drive of the game on its next possession, but failed to convert on fourth down from the Concordia 26-yard line. The Cardinals responded with an extended drive of their own, scoring on a four-yard run to go up 14-0.

The Lakers found their spark in the second quarter, going 77 yards as quarterback Luke Wilson connected with wideout Jerrell Calhoun on passes of 17 and 22 yards. Back-up quarterback Benjamin Little finished off the drive with a four-yard touchdown run, to cut the deficit to 7-14. Roosevelt tied the game later in the quarter when Carlos Conley intercepted the Cardinals quarterback on the 24 yard line and returned it 76 yards for the touchdown.

The second half was more of the same for the Lakers as senior Blaize Griffin opened the second half scoring, tip-toeing the sideline to catch a 56-yard touchdown from Wilson. On the ensuing Lakers drive, Tyler Tenner moved the chains, rushing for 55 of his game high 122 rushing yards. Senior Ke'von Johnson capped the drive with an 8-yard touchdown catch from Wilson. Concordia would add a late touchdown, but it was too little, too late and the Lakers defeated the Cardinals, 28-20.

KEY STATS

• Tyler Tenner rushed for 122 yards on 18 carries
• Luke Wilson connected on 13-of-26 passes for 187 yards & two touchdowns
• Blaize Griffin caught four passes for 95 yards and a touchdown
• Ke'von Johnson rushed for 44 yards and caught a touchdown
• Carlos Conley intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown
• Clarence Davis had a team-high seven tackles
• RU won the turnover battle 3-1, intercepting three Cardinals passes

NEXT UP

The Lakers hit the road for their next contest, travelling to Southfield, Michigan to take on Lawrence Tech at Blue Devils Stadium. Opening kick for the MSFA outing is set for 12:00 PM on Saturday, September 24.