(Peru, Neb.) – The 18
th-ranked Baker University (BU) Wildcats showed why they were deserving of the ranking as they topped the Peru State College (PSC) Bobcats 34-13 in action in the Oak Bowl in Peru, Neb.
It was the second win of the season for the Wildcats as they moved to 2-0 while the Bobcats' evened their record at 1-1. This was the first Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) game for both teams with Baker starting the HAAC race with a 1-0 record and PSC starting the conference at 0-1.
First Half Action
Neither team scored in the first quarter as both teams played some good defense.
The Wildcats put scores up in the second quarter with the first score coming at the 12:10 mark. After a pass interference call put the ball on the Bobcats' three-yard line, Baker went for the score and the PAT was good, making it 7-0.
In the next series, the Bobcats were moving the ball and had two first downs before the Wildcats forced a fumble and recovered it on their own 46-yard line. A big pass play of 34 yards put Baker in the red zone at PSC's seven-yard line. Two plays later, Baker scored to go up 14-0 with 5:21 remaining in the half.
Both teams had unsuccessful drives and the half ended with the Wildcats leading 14-0.
Second Half Action
The Bobcats took the ball at the beginning of the second half on their own seven-yard line and put together a sustained 93-yard drive which lasted nearly seven minutes to score their first touchdown.
After two short rushing gains, Bobcat quarter
Bo Shepard (Gretna) completed a ten-yard pass to
Nate Tromblee (Lincoln) for the first down. Following another short gain, Shepard completed an 11-yard pass to
Jon Kolman (Beatrice) for the second first down of the drive.
A good run for seven yards by
Ethan Bray (Liberal, Mo.) was washed out on the next play as PSC was stopped in the backfield for an eight-yard loss. On third down and 11, Shepard found his third different receiver of the series and hit
JD Faxon (Odell) with a ten-yard gain. On fourth down and one, Bray carried for two yards for a first down.
Following a short gain and then a short loss, Shepard hit Tromblee for a 28-yard gain putting the ball on the Wildcats' 13-yard line. Bray gained two on the first down of the drive, which was followed by an incomplete pass. Shepard again found Tromblee for a seven-yard pass leaving the 'Cats with fourth and one. Shepard carried the ball off the left side and gained one yard for the first down on Baker's three-yard line.
The first run from scrimmage gained nothing.
Ryan Ludlow (Plattsmouth) then had a gain of two yards, before the Bobcats took a timeout. After the timeout, Ludlow took it in for the touchdown. The PAT snap was bobbled and PSC could not convert on a pass. With 5:19 remaining in the third quarter, Baker led 14-6.
The Wildcats came right back and scored on their next possession. On the seventh play, the Wildcats completed a 50-yard pass for a touchdown. The PAT was good and Baker now led 21-6 with 2:09 left in the third.
Baker stopped the next Bobcat possession and on the fifth play of the fourth quarter, the Wildcats had a 28-yard touchdown pass. The PAT failed, but the Wildcats led 27-6 with 12:30 left in the game.
A good kickoff return of 29 yards by Bobcat
Garret Campbell (Santee, Calif.) allowed the 'Cats to start their possession on their own 39-yard line. A 13-yard pass from Shepard to
Ryan Twehous (Grand Island) was followed by runs of one and eight yards by
Tyler Audsley (Prescott Valley, Ariz.) made it third and one for PSC. Ludlow then took the ball on the option play and went 39 yards for a Bobcat score. The PAT by
Levi Cockle (Lincoln) was good putting the score at 27-13 Baker with 10:56 remaining in the contest.
Baker did manage one more score with 4:42 to go making the final score 34-13 in favor of the Wildcats.
Game Statistics
Baker had 19 first downs compared to Peru State's 14. The Wildcats outgained Peru State 396-248. Baker had 209 yards rushing and 187 through the air while PSC had 156 on the ground and 92 yards passing.
Individual Statistics
Ludlow had 60 yards on ten carries with his longest rush being his 39-yard score. Shepard carried the ball 15 times for 37 yards while Tromblee had seven rushes for 26 yards. Audsley and Bray finished with 22 and 11 yards each respectively.
Shepard was eight of 11 through the air for 92 yards. Tromblee was PSC's leading receiver with 45 yards on three catches. Faxon had two receptions for 19 yards. Kolman,
Shane Lloyd (Ridge Crest, Calif.), and Twehous each had one pass reception.
Campbell had four kickoff returns for a total of 80 yards with a long of 35. Faxon had one punt return for two yards.
Defensively, the Bobcats were led by
Preston Bruss (Bennet). Bruss finished with 12 total tackles – two of which were unassisted. In addition, Bruss had one tackle for a loss of three yards.
Maurice Berry (Long Beach, Calif.) and
Zach Lempka (Sterling) contributed nine and eight tackles each. Berry led the team with four solo tackles.
Ryan McClarty (Omaha) and
Curtis Larsen (Plattsmouth) each added six tackles while
Jacob Kelley (Beggs, Okla.) and
Tony Traynor (Valley) each had five tackles.
BOX SCORE
Next Game
The Bobcats will be on the road next week when they travel to Canton, Mo., to face another set of Wildcats at Culver-Stockton College. The Wildcats dropped their season opener on Saturday at Graceland University by the score of 28-17.
Last season, the Bobcats defeated Culver-Stockton 58-27 in the Oak Bowl.
The Bobcat games can be heard live on KNCY Country Radio by clicking on the link on the Bobcat athletic home page.
