Chicago State hosts neighboring Roosevelt for first-ever game in school history

Sophomore quarterback Darion Lee, a Chicago native and Elmhurst University transfer, is one of 30 Illinois players on the Chicago State football roster. (Photo by GoCSUCougars.com)

By Barry Bottino 

Saturday’s noon kickoff is being called “The Battle of Chicago.”

That’s what a large banner says across Roosevelt University’s athletics website.

The game pits Chicago State, the nation’s newest FCS program in its first-ever game, against NCAA Division II Roosevelt, which has billed the game as Chicago’s only D-I college football team against the city’s only D-II program.

CSU head coach Bobby Rome II said earlier this month that the Cougars will be prepared, regardless of the opponent.

“These players demonstrate, above all, the grit and determination it takes to embark on a journey that’s never been taken before,” Rome said. “Everything will be a first for us, and our team isn’t backing down from that challenge.”

CSU will play its first season as an independent before joining the Northeast Conference in 2027, and has 53 transfers from various levels of college football.

Redshirt freshman wide receiver Arshawn Powell (Southern Illinois) and senior offensive lineman Jourdan Hale-Frater (Eastern Illinois) transferred from fellow Illinois FCS programs. Four players, including sophomore quarterback Tre People (LSU), arrived from FBS schools.

Roosevelt (2-8 last season) was picked seventh in the eight-team Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference preseason poll. The Lakers are coming off a season in which they gave up nearly 48 points a game.

Chicago State did not make requested players available for interviews this week to Prairie State Pigskin.

Kickoff: Noon

Key matchup to watch

CSU offense vs. Roosevelt LB Brandon Harvey: A fourth-year member of the Roosevelt program, Harvey had 72 tackles, an interception and 1.5 tackles for loss a year ago. CSU will have to account for Harvey in its blocking schemes.

What’s at stake?

The Cougars are seeking win No. 1 in the first game of their maiden college football voyage.

Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.

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