ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – Roosevelt's special teams came up with a pair of big plays, but it was not enough for the home team to win the battle of the Lakers on Saturday night at Morris Field.
No. 25 Grand Valley State escaped Arlington Heights with a 45-22 win in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action in a game dominated by special teams. Roosevelt (5-4, 1-4 GLIAC) blocked a punt and a field goal attempt, the first time in four years it blocked both a punt and field goal in the same game. Grand Valley State returned a kickoff for a touchdown to negate RU's score on the first-drive as well.
The visitors held a 21-14 lead at halftime, but took control of the game by dominating the time of possession in the second half. Grand Valley State possessed the ball for more than 12 minutes in the third quarter to neutralize the Roosevelt offense and throw it out of sync.
Tony Chahino led the Lakers on an 11-play, 64-yard drive to begin the game, capping it off with a 18-yard touchdown to Jaden Bossie in the flat. GVSU took a 14-7 lead midway late in the first quarter, but could not build on the advantage as Roosevelt's defense stood tall.
After forcing a punt with five minutes left in the second quarter, Roosevelt was able to apply pressure up the middle with Jordan Brazil and Trevon Conner. Brazil actually suffocated the punt right off the punter's foot and Conner then found the bouncing ball, scooped it up and ran it back 25 yards for the tying score.
Early in the fourth quarter, Roosevelt trailed 38-14 when Grand Valley State was forced to settle for a 52-yard field goal attempt. Khalil Nichols, who had just missed blocking an earlier field goal attempt, whipped around the edge and blocked this kick. Keron Pryor then scooped up the fumble and returned it 32 yards deep into Grand Valley State territory.
The blocked field eventually led to a Jaden Bossie touchdown run, the second time this season he had a receiving and rushing score in the same game. After GVSU jumped offsides on the point-after attempt, Bossie ran in the two-point conversion as well.
Syrr Harrington led Roosevelt with eight tackles and also came up with a forced fumble that the hosts nearly recovered near midfield. CJ Amaechi had two tackles-for-loss including a sack while Pryor had five tackles, one of which went for a loss, as well as a pass breakup.
UP NEXT: Roosevelt closes out its home schedule next week when it hosts Saginaw Valley State at 1 p.m. at Morris Field. Â
