Hall of Fame
Scott Gerdes was one of main cogs in the Bobcat running game during Peru State’s only championship title in 1990. That Bobcat team topped Westminster (Pa.) to win the NAIA Division II crown.
The 1992 graduate was named the most valuable player in the NAIA first round playoff game against Wisconsin-LaCrosse and also in the semifinal matchup against Baker (Kan.). Following the championship season, Gerdes earned NAIA All-American Honorable Mention. In addition, he was named to the All Tri-State Athletic Conference First Team and to the Omaha World-Herald NAIA All-Nebraska First Team.
During the 1990 season, Gerdes set single-season records for catches (71), punt returns (32), and tied the mark for punt returns for touchdowns (2). Those marks still stand today. He finished seventh nationally in the NAIA averaging 6.43 yards per catch.
At the time his career concluded, Gerdes held the career records for yards per carry (5.7), receptions (161), and punt returns (91). In addition, to single-season and career records, Gerdes is tied for the most yards in one contest with 252 yards which he had against Baker in the semifinals. Finally, Gerdes is still listed as the sixth-best in terms of receiving yards with 2,045.
