Wayne State University Athletics

DETROIT -- The Wayne State University football team (0-6 overall, 0-2 GLIAC) rallied from a 21-point deficit to within one score but ultimately fell 33-18 to visiting Roosevelt University (5-1 overall, 1-1 GLIAC) during the annual Homecoming contest on the WSU campus.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
The Warriors garnered one first down on the game's opening possession as redshirt junior quarterback Ethan Lane (Chandler, Ariz. / Basha [Central Michigan]) had a 17-yard completion on a third-and-seven to redshirt freshman wide receiver Joseph Lattimore (Linden, Mich.).  It was Lattimore's first career reception on Lane's first pass since bein injured in the Wayne State's season opener on Sept. 3.

The Lakers drove 82 yards in 1:54 to grab a 7-0 lead on a 49-yard pass from Tony Chahino to DJ Simmons, Jr. on a third-and-12 play.

The next three drives (two by WSU and one by RU) were brief with a punt, a turnover on downs and an interception.

Second Quarter
On the second play from scrimmage of the second period, RU's Sean Sample connected on a 34-yard field goal making it 10-0.

The Warriors earned a pair of first downs but eventually had to punt.

After a Roosevelt drive end on a turnover on downs, Wayne State drove 61 yards in eight plays but a fourth-and-goal from the two was stopped just short of the end zone.

The Lakers answered with an 85-yard drive but came away without any points as Sample missed a 32-yard field goal attempt.

WSU drove into Roosevelt territory but an interception ended that drive in the final seconds before intermission.

Third Quarter
RU extended its margin to 17-0 on the first drive after halftime.  Chahino and Simmons connected on an eight-yard touchdown pass.

The Warriors drove into the red zone but a botched field goal attempt resulted in two forward passes on the play and a turnover on downs.

Simmons hauled in his third touchdown pass of the game, this one from 39 yards to increase RU's advantage to 24-0 with five minutes remaining in the third stanza.

The WSU offense went three-and-out but the punt hit Roosevelt's Antonio Moore with redshirt sophomore wide receiver Drew Hickmott (Ortonville, Mich. / Ortonville Brandon [Michigan]) making the recovery at midfield.

Fourth Quarter
Wayne State's drive carried over into the final stanza with junior kicker Ryan Rodas (Novato, Calif. / San Marin [City College of San Francisco]) connecting on a 47-yard field goal attempt.

On the ensuing possession, the WSU defense forced a punt that the snap was mishandled and the Warriors tackled the RU punter at the Lakers 34.

On the third play, Wayne State graduate student running back D'Vaun Bentley (Detroit, Mich. / Loyola [Lawrence Tech]) scored on a seven-yard jaunt up the middle to pull the Warriors within 24-10 with 11:29 remaining.

Following a Roosevelt punt and WSU penalty, the first play from scrimmage was ruled intentional grounding in the end zone for a safety.

After the free kick, the Warrior defense forced another punt.  Despite a penalty on the return which moved the ball back 10 yards to the four (instead of half the distance), freshman running back Gary Jefferson, Jr. (Bastrop, Texas) notched three carries for 50 yards.  Freshman running back Deavante Deleon (Burton, Mich. / Atherton) gained 13 yards on two rushing attempts and add in a 15-yard facemask penalty put Wayne State in the red zone.  On the very next play, Jefferson scampered 18 yards for a touchdown.  Deleon had a successful two-point rush and WSU was within one score at 26-18 with 4:42 left.

Roosevelt drove across midfield and on a third-and-one quarterback Carl Bew broke through for a 37-yard touchdown run to complete the scoring.

TEAM STATS
Roosevelt had a 476-318 edge in total offense, including a 301-149 advantage in passing yards.  WSU was 6-of-16 on third down and 2-of-4 on fourth down, while the Lakers were 5-of-12 on third down and 0-for-3 on fourth down.

LEADING THE WARRIORS
Jefferson rushed for a team-high 93 yards on 14 carries, while Bentley contributed 72 yards on 16 attempts.  Lane was 16-of-32 for 122 yards.  Both Jordan Bell (Benton Harbor, Mich. / St. Joseph) and Hickmott had four receptions, with totaling a team-best 67 receiving yards.

EDITOR'S NOTE:  Gary Jefferson's rushing yards were corrected post-game due to the intentional grounding call in the fourth quarter was originally assessed to Ethan Lane incorrectly when it was Jefferson who was flagged for the infraction.  NCAA statistics rules stipulate that negative rushing yards are given to the player flagged for intentional grounding.

LEADING THE LAKERS
Bew gained 105 yards on seven carries, while Jaden Bossie added 71 yards on 15 attempts.  Chahino was 19-of-34 for 294 yards and three scores, with Simmons catching seven passes for 168 yards and three touchdowns.

UP NEXT
Wayne State will entertain Saginaw Valley State next Saturday (Oct. 17) at 6 PM.