St. Rita graduate Calvin Lee didn’t go to Chicago State to play football.
Football wasn’t an afterthought. It was no thought at all.
He entered the school in January 2025 after spending a year and a half at St. Ambrose. CSU had no football team and he had not heard of plans for one to be created.
“Football wasn’t even a rumor when I got here,” Lee said. “It was quiet. I went to Chicago State to improve my grade-point average. I had no idea there was going to be a football team.”
A few months later, the school made it official that it was starting a Division I FCS program and in April named Bobby Rome II as its coach.
Rome and Lee connected. Lee is a running back on the team and enjoyed a historic day on Sept. 12 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview as he scored a touchdown in the first win in program history: 78-7 victory over NAIA member Kentucky Christian.
Lee had three carries for 29 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown for the Cougars (1-2), who opened their inaugural season with losses to Division II Roosevelt and FCS Tennessee-Martin. He also had a catch for 3 yards.
Lee wasn’t the only local player to shine in the game.
Evergreen Park grad Arshawn Powell caught three passes for 31 yards, returned four punts for 72 yards and ran back two kickoffs for 37 yards to finish with 140 all-purpose yards. Brother Rice grad Jonah Bossette started at center, sharing duties with Keon Daceus and helping the offense rack up 580 yards.
“I wasn’t focused on the score,” Bossette said. “I was just trying to go out and give 110% every single play.
“But winning our first game was a great achievement.”
Lee was thrilled with being able to play in such an important win.
“It feels great because I’m from Chicago and it’s great to win for the city,” Lee said. “I had my family in the stands. I’m blessed.”
The Cougars scored 49 in the first half and piled up 372 yards in the first 30 minutes.
Quarterback Ashton Pannell led the offense, completing 22 passes in 25 attempts for 308 yards and three touchdowns. Kymari Gray had seven catches for 111 yards and two scores.
The Cougars hit the road and visit Butler (2-1) at noon Sept. 19 at the Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl in Indianapolis.