Chicago State quarterback Ashton Pannell threw three touchdowns in his collegiate debut. The Cougars lost their inaugural game, 44-28, to Roosevelt University. (Photo by GoCSUCougars.com)
By Barry Bottino
Chicago State hit the field Saturday for its inaugural football game after three years of planning and preparation.
The Cougars, now the fifth FCS program in Illinois, sustained a 44-28 loss to D-II Roosevelt University.
The visiting Lakers took control of the game with a 24-point second quarter, scoring three touchdowns in a span of 5 minutes, 16 seconds. The final TD was a 28-yard interception return by junior defensive back Keron Pryor.
CSU true freshman quarterback Ashton Pannell finished 29-for-40 for 264 yards and three touchdowns. He was intercepted twice.
Roosevelt’s offense was guided by quarterback Tony Chahino, who threw three TD passes, and running back Jaden’s Bossie, who powered his way to a 141 yards on the ground and caught five passes for 91 yards.
Bossie’s 54-yard scoring run just 3 minutes into the third quarter gave Roosevelt its largest lead of the game, 34-14.
CSU’s offense struggled on key downs, going 3-for-13 on third down Saturday and 2-for-5 on fourth down.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson took part in Saturday’s coin toss before the game at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview with 1,000 fans in attendance.
Game changers
3:30, 1st quarter: Dabney Jr. scored on a 5-yard run to give CSU its first and only lead of the game.
8:55, 2nd quarter: Pryor’s 28-yard interception return completed a run of 21 consecutive points for Roosevelt.
1:12, 4th quarter: Pannell threw his third TD pass of the game, this one a 7-yard strike to Powell.
What it means
The Cougars are still seeking their first win of their inaugural campaign.
What’s next?
CSU travels to UT Martin – the team picked to win the Ohio Valley Conference in the league’s preseason poll – for a 6 p.m. kickoff Sept. 5.
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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