ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – A furious second-half rally came up just short for Roosevelt on Saturday with a 44-30 loss in the home finale against Saginaw Valley State at Morris Field.
The Lakers struggled to put points on the board in the first half against their Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rival and fell behind 31-6 at halftime. However, a revved up Roosevelt squad came out in the second half and attempted an onside kick. Although the Lakers didn't recover, they promptly forced a three-and-out to retake possession.
Roosevelt (5-5, 1-5 GLIAC) was backed up at its own 11 to start the subsequent drive before a false start made matters worse. However, Jaden Bossie ran for 14 yards on first down and the Lakers methodically drove down the field until Bossie converted from three-yards out for a touchdown.
Saginaw Valley State nearly lost its momentum on the first play of the next drive as Derek Whaley jarred the ball loose after a long completion, but the Cardinals were able to jump on the fumble. The Lakers did force them to settle for a field goal and Carl Bew led the offense back on the field.
This time, the senior led the Lakers on a 12-play, 65-yard drive, using his legs to move the chains several times, notably a 21-yard rush into the red zone. Bew finished the drive himself with a one-yard keeper during which he stretched his arm over the goal line when his progress was halted.
Feargal Mac Cearra thought he recovered his own onside kick, but the officials deemed that he made contact before the required 10 yards. Roosevelt again forced a field goal attempt from the Cardinals on a short field, but the kick didn't make it to the uprights this time. Khalil Nichols came through the middle to block the field goal then scooped up the loose ball and raced 65 yards for a touchdown to bring the Lakers within a touchdown.
Bew and Bossie both eclipsed 100 yards on the ground with Bew leading the way with 135 yards and a score and Bossie adding 102 yards and a touchdown. Tony Chahino threw a first-half touchdown to Julius May while Chris Lindo led the Lakers with four catches for 52 yards.
Roosevelt's defense came up with six sacks and nine tackles for loss in the setback with Ladell Allen and C.J. Ameachi each recording 1.5 sacks. Michael Pryor had three TFLs, including a sack, and Brandon Harvey led Roosevelt with 10 total tackles.
UP NEXT: Roosevelt close out its season with its stiffest test to date, a noon kickoff next Saturday at No. 1 Ferris State.
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