(Peru, Neb.) – It started as a track meet as 47 points were scored in the first 20 minutes of the game before the defenses of both teams figured out how to stop the other team.  Eventually, turnovers and missed opportunities in their red zone by the Peru State College (PSC) Bobcat football allowed the Evangel University Crusaders to take a 38-23 victory in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC).
 
With the win, the 21^st-ranked Crusaders improve to 5-2 overall and 4-1 in the HAAC.  Peru State falls to 3-4 overall and 1-4 overall.
 
The game was played in the JFK Stadium, a high school field, in Springfield, Mo.  Strong winds gusting to 30 mph and with a higher temperature and humidity than usual did not seem to bother either team.
 
First Half Action
 
Evangel wanted the ball first and after starting on their 25-yard line, it only took the Crusaders four plays to get into the end zone with a 16-yard run.  The PAT was good and Evangel led 7-0 with 13:50 to go in the first quarter.
 
After a good kick-off return by Garret Campbell (Santee, Calif.) which got the ball out to PSC's own 20-yard line, quarterback Bo Shepard (Gretna) found Ryan Twehous (Central City) with a pass resulting in 36 yards down to the 44-yard line of Evangel.  After a missed pass and a short run, Shepard found Shane Lloyd (Ridge Crest, Calif.) for a fourth down conversion.
 
Shepard had a quarterback scamper of 18 yards, which put the ball just inside of Evangel's ten-yard line.  Following a penalty called on Evangel, PSC had a first and five just inside the Crusaders' five-yard line.  Back-to-back rushes gained nothing and were followed by a pass attempt that just went over the receiver's hands.  The 'Cats decided to try a field goal and Levi Cockle's (Lincoln) 20-yard attempt was good.  Peru State then trailed 7-3 with 9:20 left in the first. 
 
On the Crusaders' second possession, the Bobcats were able to stop the Crusaders once Evangel had reached the Bobcats' 40-yard line.  Fortunately, for Peru State, the Evangel punter shanked the ball off the side of his foot and PSC got the ball on their own 35-yard line. 
 
A couple of short gains by Ryan Ludlow (Plattsmouth), Shepard took the ball down to the 21-yard line for a PSC first down.  After a short gain by Ludlow, Shepard found Ludlow with a touchdown pass, which went for 17 yards.   This was Ludlow's first touchdown reception of the year after having scored his first 14 on the ground.  The PAT was blocked, but PSC led 9-7 with in the first stanza, with several Bobcats saving a possible score by Evangel as they had picked the blocked kick up and were headed down field.
 
On the PSC touchdown, the Bobcats were flagged with a personal foul forcing them to kickoff 15 yards further back, but Cockle had a great kick and Evangel started on their own 26-yard line.  The Crusaders came back and scored on a 46-yard touchdown pass with 2:01 left in the first quarter.  The PAT was good and Evangel led 14-9.
 
Campbell took the Crusader kick and returned it to the Bobcats' 44-yard line, which was good for 33 yards.  After an incomplete pass and then a penalty, Shepard gained ten yards to make it third and five.  Shepard then found Lance Steffen (Murdock) for a 43-yard pass reception taking it down to the Evangel eight-yard line.  Ludlow carried for seven yards down to the Crusader one-yard line.  On the next play, Ludlow went up the middle with a one-yard touchdown.  Cockle hit his PAT to put PSC back on to 16-14 with 23 seconds left in the quarter.
 
Evangel returned PSC's kickoff to their own 27-yard line after the Bobcats missed opportunities to stop them around the 15-yard line.    The Bobcats stopped the Crusaders on their first two rushes, but Evangel struck for a 76-yard touchdown as the Peru State defenders ran into each other.  The Crusaders led 21-16 with 14:18 to go in the first half.
 
Peru State started on their 25-yard line after the kickoff went through the end zone.  Shepard found Twehous for eight yards and then Ludlow gained seven yards for the first down.  Then, Shepard took it around the outside and gained his own first down getting into Evangel territory at the 46-yard line.  Another Shepard to Twehous reception was good for six, making it second and four.  Ludlow rambled for five yards for the first down.  After a couple of plays that lost a yard, Shepard found J.D. Faxon (Odell) with a 23-yard touchdown pass.  Cockle made his PAT and the 'Cats were back on top 23-21 with 10:43 remaining in the second quarter.
 
Another good return by Evangel allowed the Crusaders to start their drive on the own 38-yard line.  A 17-yard pass reception was followed by a long run resulting in a first down and quickly the Crusaders were on PSC's 32-yard line.   The Bobcats did hold Evangel to a 40-yard field goal, but the Crusaders were back on top 24-23 with 8:47 left in the first half.
 
Campbell took another Evangel kickoff three yards deep in the end zone and took it out to the 16-yard line, the Bobcats' worst starting field position of the day.   The Bobcats did have a fumble on the snap, but recovered it for a one-yard loss.   Faxon made a great catch on a third and ten out at the PSC 29-yard line giving PSC some breathing room.   Two rushes by Ludlow gave Peru State a fresh set of downs on their own 40-yard line.  After a short gain on a pass to Lloyd, Shepard appeared to be in trouble, but got the ball, set his feet, and Shepard found Steffen who took the ball down to the 18-yard line while dragging several Crusaders on his back.  Unfortunately, on the next play, Peru State fumbled and Evangel recovered on their 20-yard line with 3:16 remaining in the first half. 
 
Several big rushes allowed Evangel to get to near midfield before the Crusaders took a time out with a second and five facing them.   Good defensive pressure by Tony Traynor (Valley) forced the Evangel quarterback to scramble before overthrowing his receiver.  However, on the next play Evangel did get a first down into Bobcat territory.   Peru State was able to stop the Evangel drive as Campbell knocked down a pass and PSC took over on their 38-yard line.
 
Following an incomplete pass and a short run, Shepard was sacked, forcing the Bobcats to punt, their first of the day.    Jacob Grobe (Oakland, Iowa) managed to get off a 38-yard punt into the wind with no return forcing Evangel to start on their 30-yard line.  A good defensive stand by the 'Cats forced the Crusaders to punt on fourth and two.  Faxon took the punt and went for seven yards giving PSC the ball on their 27-yard line.   Peru State ran one play and went into the half trailing 24-23.
 
In the first half, on the first nine possessions, the two teams scored eight times.  The last nine minutes of the half saw only one score, which was the 40-yard field goal by Evangel.
 
Second Half Action
 
Campbell took the second-half kickoff 23 yards and Peru State started their first possession of the second half on their 31-yard line.   It was not the possession that the 'Cats had hoped to have as they were forced to punt after three unsuccessful plays.  Grobe got off a good punt which went for nearly 60 yards and Evangel was able to get it out to their 30-yard to start their first drive.
 
The Crusaders methodically worked the ball down the field with a series of runs and short passes.  Then, a good run by a Crusader took the ball to the PSC five-yard line.  Evangel took to the ball down to the one-yard line and then scored on the next play.  With the PAT, the Crusaders went up 31-23 with 9:01 left in the third quarter.
 
Peru State was not able to get much going on their next possession.  However, Grobe's wobbly punt was fumbled by Evangel and Cody Sullivan (Firth) recovered for PSC on the Crusaders' 35-yard line.  Ludlow carried the ball for seven yards, but a penalty forced a third and long.  However, the 'Cats prevailed on another good Ludlow run.  On a second and 13, Shepard tossed the ball to Twehous and Evangel was called for pass interference.  This gave the Bobcats a first down and ten on Evangel's 12-yard line.  Ludlow followed with a seven-yard gain after being stacked up initially at the line of scrimmage.  There was not gain on the next play bringing up a third and three for Peru State.  The Crusaders stopped PSC at the line of scrimmage and drove them back, making it fourth down and six forcing a field goal attempt.  The snap was botched and Evangel blocked the attempt returning it 85 yards for a touchdown.  After the PAT, Evangel was up 38-23.
 
The Bobcats took the next kickoff and started on their own nine-yard line with 1:19 left in the third quarter.  Peru State did manage several first downs, but eventually were forced to punt.
 
Peru State was able to hold the Crusaders out of the end zone and forced them to attempt a 49-yard field goal attempt that was a fake, but Curtis Larsen (Plattsmouth) was able to snuff out the run and PSC took over on their 31-yard line.
 
Shepard immediately found Twehous for a nine-yard gain before another throw down field to Twehous was just slightly overthrown.   On the third and one, Ludlow took the ball for a first down.    Two missed passes brought up a third and ten.  Another pass attempt went awry as Shepard was forced out and had to throw it away.  Peru State went for it on fourth and ten, but Shepard overthrew Steffen and Evangel took over with 6:23 to go in the game.
 
Peru State was able to force a three and out making Evangel punt which went out-of-bounds on their 13-yard line.  Shepard was able to find Twehous on third down for his fifth catch of the day to get the first down out at the 40-yard line.  Following a failed pass attempt, Shepard reversed his field and got a first down at the 46-yard line in Evangel territory.  After a couple of short plays, Ludlow was able to get a first down.  Another failed pass was followed by Ludlow rambling down the field to the Crusader 11-yard line.   Ludlow took the next play down to the seven-yard line.  Shepard bobbled the snap and was tackled back at the 15-yard line.  A throw to the end zone was batted down bringing up fourth and 15 for PSC.  Shepard's pass was intercepted at the goal line and took back to PSC's 42-yard line where Jeremy Crump (Omaha) was able to stop the possible touchdown with 1:52 remaining. 
 
Following a Bobcat penalty, it looked like Evangel was going to go into the victory position and kneel down to run out the clock.  However, another Bobcat penalty moved the ball down to PSC's 11-yard line.  At that point, Evangel did go into the victory format and eventually ran out the clock.

EVANGEL BOX SCORE
 
Game Statistics
 
Other than the score, statistically, the Bobcats pretty much did what they wanted and led in many of the overall team stats.  Peru State had 27 first downs to Evangel's 22.  The 'Cats had 243 net yards rushing while the Crusaders had 189.  Evangel had a slight advantage in passing yardage – 276 to 255.  Total offense went PSC's way as they had 498 total yards compared to 465 for Evangel.
 
Peru State had the ball for over twice the amount of time Evangel did with a 40:20 to 19:40 difference, but the turnovers and penalties hindered the Bobcat chances.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Shepard had his best day passing as a Bobcat quarterback throwing for 255 yards, converting on 16 of 39 attempts, which include two touchdown tosses.  One costly interception at the goal line was the only blemish on the quarterback's performance.  In addition, Shepard had 15 rushes for 93 net yards, including a 44-yard run.
 
Ludlow continued his performance on the ground with 141 net yards on 32 attempts and one touchdown.  Ludlow was also the recipient of one of Shepard's touchdown passes which was good for 17-yards.
 
Twehous was the Bobcats' top receiver with five grabs for 81 yards.  Steffen matched Twehous' yardage with 81 on two catches.  Faxon had two grabs for 36 yards and one touchdown.  Lloyd and Brandon Dinslage (Clarkson) each had two receptions with Corey Tucker (Kansas City, Mo.) grabbing one pass.
 
Grobe punted four times averaging 35.8 yards with a long of 56 yards.
 
Faxon had one punt return for seven yards while Campbell had five kickoff returns for 105 yards.
 
Cockle made a 23-yard field goal that was PSC's first score of the game.
 
Defensively, Larsen led the Bobcats with 14 tackles – four of which were solo.  Cody Piotrowski (Mihawka, Ind.) and Maurice Berry (Long Beach, Calif.) also finished with double-figure tackles with 11 and ten respectively.  Two of Piotrowski's tackles were solo. 
 
Preston Bruss (Bennet) added seven tackles - one solo.  Campbell, Neil Bowman (Cedar Bluffs),  and Ryan McClarty (Omaha) each finished with five tackles.
 
Larsen, Piotrowski, Berry, Campbell, and Bowman each had tackles for losses.  Campbell had two pass break-ups while Bruss added one.
 
Sullivan finished with the lone miscue by Evangel as he recovered a Crusader fumble.
 
KNCY Bobcat Player of the Game
 
Twehous was selected as the KNCY Bobcat Player of the Game for his best receiving performance of the year.    Twehous, who caught five passes for 81 yards, said, “Coach did a great job of mixing up the play calling today which caught Evangel off guard.”  When discussing his receptions, Twehous continued, “No, I did not get a catch in space, but all were in traffic.  We ran a lot of controlled routes trying to find the first down and this worked.  We took advantage of knowing that they could give up some big plays, so we mixed up the rushing and passing and it worked.”
 
Coach Schneider Comments
 
Obviously disappointed with the outcome, Bobcat head coach Steve Schneider, said, “We were not ready to come out the second half offensively.  In the first half we did not come out ready defensively and then the second half our offense stumbled.  We still need to grow as a team and when we put together a complete game, we will win.”
 
Schneider continued, “Evangel is a high-powered offense.   We did everything we wanted to do today except score enough points.  We knew we would have to run more plays than Evangel because of their offense and we did that, but we did not convert.”
 
In conclusion, Schneider said, “It was pretty disappointing as our guys work very hard.  If we can cut out our turnovers, and improve defensively, we will win some more games.   Next week against Central Methodist, it could be a short game as both of us like to run the ball.  We hope we have a good crowd in attendance for the final home game in the Oak Bowl before the renovation begins.”
 
Upcoming Game
 
The Bobcats will host Central Methodist University (CMU) on Saturday, Oct. 20, at 1 p.m. in Oak Bowl.  CMU is 2-5 overall and 2-4 in the HAAC with wins over Avila University, a future PSC opponent, and Culver-Stockton College (C-SC).  The Eagles beat C-SC 32-7 on Sept. 22, which was their last win.  Peru State easily handled C-SC 48-21 in their third game of the year.  CMU lost on Saturday to Graceland 17-14 at home.
 
It will be a big day in the Oak Bowl as it is Senior Day, but it will also be the last game in the Oak Bowl as it presently stands as renovation of the facility will begin later in October.  Bobcat football alumni and coaches, as well as booster club members, and all fans are invited to the special activities that will be held throughout the day.