ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – Roosevelt scored twice in the final five minutes to end its season on a high note in a 34-21 loss to No. 4 Grand Valley State on Saturday at Morris Field.

The Lakers didn't back down from one of the nation's and Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's best teams even after falling behind the visitors. Grand Valley State took a 17-0 lead midway through the second quarter, but Cyrus Zuell gave Roosevelt some life with a touchdown catch that left just 16 seconds in the half.

The senior running back also ran for a score in the fourth quarter to become the first player in 14 months to rush for a touchdown and catch a touchdown in the same game for Roosevelt. The transfer from Southeastern Louisiana ran 18 times for 62 yards and the score and added three catches for 14 yards as well.

Roosevelt (1-9, 1-6 GLIAC) turned both of its takeaways into points, starting with the Zuell touchdown at the end of the first half. Deven Jarvis forced the fumble near midfield and Derrick Crump jumped on the loose ball inside Grand Valley State territory. After a personal foul from the visiting Lakers kept the hosts' drive alive, Carson Budke connected with Norion Espadron on third down for 25 yards to put the Lakers in the red zone for the first time. Espadron had a second catch for 12 yards to set up a goal-to-go situation before Zuell caught the three-yard score.

Grand Valley State scored on its first possession of the second half to take a 24-7 lead, but the Lakers were nearly quick to answer. Roosevelt marched down into Grand Valley State territory before the drive fizzled out with three incompletions and turnover on downs. The Roosevelt defense held the visiting Lakers to a field goal off that turnover on downs before a pick-six extended Grand Valley State's lead to 34-7.

The visitors made the next mistake, though, with Carlos Conley stepping in front of a pass and returning it to the Roosevelt 36. Budke connected with Keonta Nixon on a 49-yard pass to flip the field and three players later Zuell was back in the end zone with a one-yard run. Roosevelt successfully recovered an onside kick and after a touchdown to
Jack Young Jr. was nullified by a penalty, Budke instead found Espadron for a seven-yard score.

Budke completed 20 of his 48 attempts for 234 yards and was not sacked. Nixon led the way with 76 receiving yards on three catches followed by Young with four catches for 60 yards and Espadron with six catches and 47 yards.

Jacob Bellizzi and Alexander Bailey both had sacks for Roosevelt with Bellizzi leading the team with eight tackles, including two for a loss. Jarvis also had two tackles-for-loss and made six tackles overall in addition to his forced fumble.