ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – Roosevelt received a taste of playing the defending national champions in a 66-0 defeat against No. 1 Ferris State on Saturday at Morris Field.

The move to the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference was going to be a challenge for the football program with a pair of national powerhouses, and the Lakers got their front row seat Saturday. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 21-0 lead by the end of the first quarter, and the lead was doubled to 42-0 at halftime.

There were still positive moments the Lakers (1-3, 0-1 GLIAC) could take from their matchup with the defending champions. Roosevelt moved the ball well on its first drive and picked up a pair of first downs before the possession fizzled out inside the Ferris State 35-yard line.

On their third drive, the Lakers drove inside the Bulldogs 30 courtesy of a 32-yard connection between wide receivers C.J. Hood and Michael Prokos on a trick play. Zach Zella took the snap at quarterback then handed the ball to Hood on a jet sweep motion. Hood took a few steps towards the sideline then squared his shoulders and lofted a pass to Prokos over the two defenders trailing him.

It was the first time in nearly six years a non-quarterback has completed a pass for the program, dating back to receiver Noah Comerford against Trinity International in November 2019. Because that throw predates the merger between Roosevelt and Robert Morris (Ill.), it marked the first non-quarterback to complete a pass in a Lakers uniform.

Roosevelt also forced one turnover in the game, a fumble that Derek Whaley scooped up and returned eight yards. The takeaway led to the debut of freshman quarterback Tony Chahino, who hit Norion Espadron for a 13-yard completion on his first play under center. An 11-yard run from Cam Davis and a six-yard scramble from Chahino again brought the Lakers inside the Ferris State 35 before the drive stalled.

In the second half, the Lakers drove into the red zone twice against the Bulldogs, but came away empty both times. The first ended on a Zach Zella interception while the second drive ended after the Lakers failed to convert on fourth down from the 7.

UP NEXT: Roosevelt travels to Saginaw Valley State next Saturday for a rematch against the Cardinals at 1 p.m. Saginaw Valley State won 27-14 last season at Morris Field in the first meeting between the two programs.