HOUGHTON, Mich. – Freshman quarterback Tony Chahino set a school record for passing yards in a game in Roosevelt's 56-31 loss to Michigan Tech on Saturday in Houghton, Mich.

In just his third career start, Chahino threw for at least 300 yards for the second time this year, nearly doing it in just the first half against the Huskies. The Geneva, Ill. native threw for 299 yards and two scores in the first half to help the Lakers lead 24-21 at the intermission. He then added 67 yards in the second half to finish with 366 total yards, eclipsing the previous school record by two yards. The Lakers also set the program record with 390 total passing yards with Zach Zella adding 24 yards in the fourth quarter.

Roosevelt took its first lead against a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference foe in the first half when Chahino connected with Norion Espadron for a 30-yard touchdown. The score came just one play after Chahino lured the Huskies offside on fourth and one to extend the drive. The possession also began with a 21-yard catch and run to Espadron to bring the ball over midfield.

The Lakers defense was ready to play from the outset, forcing the Huskies to punt on their first drive of the game. Michigan Tech responded to Roosevelt's touchdown with a score of its own, but the Lakers defense rose to the occasion after Roosevelt was stopped on fourth down to force another punt. The unit again hunkered down when the Huskies flipped the field on a long punt return only to go three and out.

Michigan Tech took a 14-7 lead midway through the second quarter, but the Lakers (1-7, 0-5 GLIAC) didn't take long to counter. Chahino found the other Espadron brother, Norbert, wide open on first down for a 53-yard touchdown, which again came one play after Roosevelt converted on fourth down. The Lakers then received a bonus possession when the Huskies fumbled the kickoff and Stacey Terry fell on the loose ball.

Mauricio Escudero converted the 31-yard field goal after the takeaway, but there was still plenty of scoring to be done in the first half. Michigan Tech scored with 1:39 left in the half to take a 21-17 lead, but Roosevelt took just 36 seconds to respond. Chahino found Michael Prokos for 24 yards to get the ball to midfield then went 45 yards to Norion Espadron to get inside the 5. Cam Davis finished the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run on an option play to give the Lakers the lead at intermission.

The Huskies forced a pair of untimely turnovers from the Lakers in the third quarter to build a 35-24 lead, and Roosevelt could only trade scores with Michigan Tech. Zella took over for Chahino in the fourth quarter while the freshman was being looked at by the medical staff on the sidelines, and led the Lakers on a scoring drive.

Zella threw a 20-yard pass to Norion Espadron before the senior wideout drew a pass interference call on the Huskies. Zella ran four straight times, gaining eight yards on second down before punching in the touchdown on fourth down. Chahino returned for the Lakers' last two possessions and broke the school record with a five-yard pass to Chris Lindo late in the game.

Norion Espadron led the Lakers on a record-setting day with 145 yards on eight catches, and Prokos joined Espadron with eight receptions for 105 yards. The pair are the first Lakers duo to both eclipse 100 receiving yards in the same game in nearly four years when Blaize Griffin and Jayden McFadden did it against Olivet Nazarene. Norbert Espadron caught four passes for 79 yards and Jack Young Jr. finished with five catches and 33 yards.

UP NEXT: Roosevelt returns to Morris Field for the final time this season next Saturday when it welcomes Wayne State to Arlington Heights, Ill. for a 1 p.m. kickoff.