(Peru, Neb.) – Despite having a 7-3 lead late in the first half and then tying the game at 10-10 early in the third quarter, the Peru State College (PSC) Bobcat football team took it on the chin at the hands of the Central Methodist University (CMU) Eagles by a score of 34-10. The action took place on the CMU campus in Fayette, Mo.With their second win in a row, the Eagles improved to 4-3, both in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) and overall. Having upset Evangel University last week and looking to have momentum going into today's game, the Bobcats fell to 2-5 overall and 2-4 in the HAAC.

First Half Action

After getting the opening kickoff from CMU, the Bobcats were able to get a first down, before the Eagles forced the 'Cats to punt.

On their first possession, Central Methodist methodically worked the ball down the field before getting a false start penalty on the Bobcats' six-yard line. After moving back to the 11-yard line, the Eagles were stopped twice consecutively by Jake Mertens (Hastings) with Adrian Lawson (Lincoln) assisting on the second tackle. This forced CMU to settle for a 27-yard field goal putting them on the scoreboard first to lead 3-0 with 8:08 to go in the first quarter.

The teams traded possessions throughout the rest of the quarter with CMU leading 3-0 going into the second quarter.

With their first possession in the second quarter, CMU attempted another field goal, this one of over 40 yards, but it went wide left, and the Bobcats dodged a bullet.

In PSC's final possession of the second quarter, the Bobcats took over on their own 33-yard line following another CMU punt. Following an incomplete pass, quarterback Tyler Francis (Lincoln) found senior wide receiver Quentin Edelman (Sabetha, Kan.) twice for a first down. A penalty and two incomplete passes made it look like the Bobcats would probably punt again. However, Francis found Antonio Turner (Jasper, Fla.) for a 19-yard pass taking it into Eagle territory for the first time of the game.

After another first down, Turner was tackled for a loss bringing up second and 17 on CMU's 29-yard line. Turner found sophomore Joel Woodhead (North Platte) for a 26-yard pass putting PSC on the Eagles' three-yard line. Two plays later, Francis took the ball into the end zone on the quarterback keeper to put PSC up 6-3 with 1:37 remaining in the half. Levi Cockle (Lincoln) point after attempt was good and the Bobcats led 7-3.


After Cockle had put the kickoff into the end zone following a CMU penalty on the touchdown score, the Eagles caught the Bobcats off guard as they came back to march the ball down the field to score on a five-yard pass with only 14 seconds to go in the half. CMU's PAT was good so it was CMU 10-7 at the end of the half.

Second Half Action

Central Methodist had deferred to the second half and it was an interesting kickoff. The radio announcers noted the kick was very high in the air and not long, but it came down and hit an Eagle player. Following that, Cockle – the kicker, recovered the ball on CMU's 48-yard line, and instead of starting on defense, the Bobcats found themselves on the offense.

A couple of rushes by Turner resulted in a first down to move the ball to the Eagles' 37-yard line. Following an incomplete pass, Francis found Woodhead on a shovel pass that went to 24 yards to CMU's 13-yard line.

The Bobcats were not able to punch it in at that point; however, Cockle did hit a 32-yard field goal to knot the game at 10-10 with 11:32 to go in the third.

CMU was not deterred after the Bobcats tied the game. In fact, after taking over on their own 29-yard line, the Eagles put together a nine-play, 71-yard drive to regain the lead at 17-10 with 7:15 left in the third.

After CMU stopped the Bobcats on their next possession, again the Eagles drove the ball down the field mixing rushing and passing to tack on another field goal. With 1:32 to go in the third, CMU led 20-10.

Again, the Eagles held the Bobcats on their next possession. On the ensuing punt, CMU took it the distance back to the end zone and went ahead 27-10 with 13:59 to go in the game.

It did not get any better for the Bobcats as CMU tacked on another touchdown with a 25-yard pass reception to make it 34-10 with 5:21 remaining.

While the 'Cats did get the ball again, they were not able to put anything together for any type of drive as the Eagles went on to win 34-10.

Team Statistics

The Bobcats could only muster 190 yards of total offense gaining only 42 yards on the ground and 148 through the air. Defensively, PSC gave up 449 yards to CMU which punished the Bobcats with 323 yards on the ground and 126 in the air. CMU had 18 first downs while PSC had 13. Like last week, the PSC opponents had a large number of penalties with 12 flags for 119 yards while the 'Cats were only flagged three times for 25 yards in penalties. Both teams had one turnover in the game.

Offensive Statistics

Francis scored the only touchdown for the Bobcats, but finished with negative yards rushing. In passing, Francis was 13 of 28 for 148 yards while throwing one interception.

Woodhead led the receivers with 53 yards on three catches while Edelman finished with four receptions for 35 yards. Cole Gottula (Franklin), Lance Steffen (Murdock), and Turner each had two receptions.

Turner led the offense on the ground with 53 yards on 15 carries with a long of 15 yards. Jacob Grobe (Oakland, Iowa) had four carries for 23 yards.

Defensive Statistics

Lawson, Curtis Larsen (Plattsmouth), and Mertens all finished with 11 tackles. Lawson had nine unassisted while Larsen and Mertens finished with eight and six solo tackles respectively. Mertens added a pass break-up to his defensive stats.

Wade Halvorsen (Ravenna) added six tackles – three solo while Trey Rigby (Oak Grove, Mo.) and Preston Bruss (Bennet) each were credited with five tackles. Four of Rigby's were solo and he also had a pass break-up and one tackle for a loss.

KNCY Player of the Game

Larsen, sophomore linebacker, was recognized as the KNCY Player of the Game for his defensive effort as he led the team with 11 tackles. Larsen said, “We ran a CAT personnel which was a 4-4 because of CMU's rushing offense, but unfortunately, it did not work out as well as planned. There were a couple of misdirection plays by the Eagles where we missed some of our assignments.”

Coach Clark Comments

“We had some missed assignments defensively and then our inside linebackers were getting caught up by either overrunning or by their fullback,” commented Bobcat head football coach Terry Clark following the game. In discussing the HAAC and their future opponent, Clark stated, “On the HAAC, we are a perfect fit, but we will need to continue recruit well, both locally and nationally, to get the type of player who will help us move forward in the conference. On Missouri Valley – they are a very good football team, but the way we having been playing at home, we should give them a run.”


Game Box Score


Next Game

The Bobcats will return to the confines of the historic Oak Bowl next Sat., Oct. 29, to host the Missouri Valley College Vikings of Marshal, Mo. Prior to today's game with Graceland University, the Vikings were 4-1 in the HAAC and 5-1 overall and were tied for ninth in the most recent NAIA polls.

At halftime of the game, student-athletes from the winter and spring sports will be recognized for their accomplishments, both in their respective sport, and in the classroom.