CALEDONIA, Mich. – Roosevelt could not overcome an early deficit in an eventual 75-23 setback on Saturday at Davenport in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contest.  

It was another unfavorable start on the road for the Lakers (1-6, 0-4 GLIAC) as once again, an early miscue put them in a hole. After Davenport marched down the field for an opening-drive score, the Panthers doubled their lead on Roosevelt's first play from scrimmage. The pick-six could have startled the Lakers, but Norion Espadron quickly flipped the momentum for Roosevelt.

The senior receiver took the ensuing kickoff 66 yards inside the Davenport 30-yard line and the Lakers were able to capitalize. Tony Chahino connected with Michael Prokos on a third-down pass for a 27-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 14-7. That was as close as Roosevelt would get as the mistakes piled up in the opening quarter.

The Panthers broke off a long touchdown run and the Lakers drove down the field only to miss a field goal. Roosevelt was able to hold Davenport to a punt, but the Lakers muffed the kick and the Panthers jumped on the ball. After allowing another score, Roosevelt fumbled the ensuing kickoff as well to set up Davenport in excellent field position.

Roosevelt was able to make some positive history in the opening half, however, when it registered the school's first safety since the merger with Robert Morris University (Ill.). The two points helped the Lakers trail 49-9 at the half.

Davenport added a punt return touchdown after Roosevelt's first drive of the second half. The Lakers scored on their next drive when Chahino found Espadron for a 5-yard touchdown. However, the Panthers returned the kickoff for a score.

The Lakers closed the scoring in the fourth quarter with a 12-yard touchdown from Zach Zella to Johnnie Robertson.

UP NEXT: The Lakers travel to the Upper Peninsula next week for a matchup with Michigan Tech in Houghton, Mich.