(Peru, Neb.) – It was not the Senior Day the Bobcat football team had planned on as the visiting Evangel University Crusaders defeated Peru State 35-27. The final "home" game for the Bobcats was played at Pioneer Field in Nebraska City on Saturday.

With the loss, the 13^th-ranked Bobcats fell to 7-3 overall and 5-3 in Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC). Evangel improved to 4-5 overall and 4-4 in the HAAC, placing them fifth in the HAAC, just one spot behind the Bobcats.

Eighteen Bobcat seniors were honored before the ballgame and were met by their parents, President Dan Hanson and the First Lady Elaine, and Peru State Football Booster Club President, Rick Janssen at midfield. The 18 seniors include: Mitch Boshart (Wood River), Kalena Rodero-Workman (Kapa'a, Hawaii), Brendan Whitted (St. Louis, Mo.), Jake Kelley (Beggs, Okla.), Garret Campbell (Santee, Calif.), J.D. Faxon (Odell), Curtis Larsen (Plattsmouth), Ethan Bray (Liberal, Mo.), Chase Bloomquist (Wausa), Jon Kolman (Beatrice), Levi Cockle (Lincoln), Derrick Davis (Orange Park, Fla.), Taylor Landwehr (Lincoln), Dayton Graf (Lincoln), Caleb Lempka (Wilber), Lance Steffen (Murdock), Ryan Twehous (Central City), and Zach Lempka (Sterling).

First Quarter Play

The Bobcats won the toss and deferred to the second half. In Evangel's first possession, after one first down passing, Peru State stopped the Crusaders and forced them to punt. Evangel's defense rose to the occasion on the Bobcats' first possession forcing Peru State to a three-and-out.
Evangel managed another first down passing in their next possession. But, on third and eight, the Crusaders were flagged for a false start. On the next play, Zach Lempka sacked the Evangel QB for a ten-yard loss, forcing the Crusaders to punt for a second time.

Peru State took over just one yard into their side of the field. On the first play of the drive, Marshall Klontz (Auburn, Wash.), starting for the first time at quarterback in place of injured Tyler Audsley (Prescott Valley, Ariz.), found Steffen going long downfield. Steffen made the grab and scrambled into the end zone for a 51-yard touchdown pass play. The touchdown grab proved to be the longest pass play of the season. Cockle's PAT, out of the hold of Boshart, was good and Peru State led 7-0 with 8:07 to go in the first quarter.

On the next Evangel possession, the Crusaders put together a scoring drive of their own. Evangel went 75 yards in seven plays and knotted the score at 7-7 with 4:45 to go in the first.

Second Quarter Play

The Bobcats took over in the first quarter on their 28-yard line and had three consecutive first downs rushing by Marcus Spearman (Platte City, Mo.), Nate Tromblee (Lincoln), and Bray, putting them on Evangel's 39-yard line.

Two plays into the second quarter, the Crusaders stopped Peru State on their two-yard line forcing the 'Cats to kick a field goal. Greg Conry (Harlan, Iowa) came in and made a 20-yard try to make it Peru State 10-7 with 14:15 left in the first half.

On the Crusaders' next possession, on a third and six, Cody Sullivan (Roca) picked off an Evangel pass at midfield and ran it back to their 25-yard line, putting the 'Cats in excellent field position.

On the first play from scrimmage, Bray rambled for 22 yards down to the three-yard line. Evangel's defense stiffened, but on third down, Spearman fumbled at the goal line on a tough hit, with Faxon recovering the ball in the end zone for Peru State's second touchdown of the game. Cockle's kick was good and the Bobcats enjoyed a ten-point lead, 17-7, with 11:20 left in the half.

Evangel came back with a six-play, 71-yard drive to make the score 17-13. The Crusaders' extra point was blocked by Zach Lempka and Peru State still led.

Peru State was not finished scoring in the half as they came back and went 72 yards in 14 plays, resulting in a Conry field goal of 24 yards to move back in front 20-13 with a little over two minutes left in the half.

The Crusaders did not flinch as they went 65 yards in nine plays and added a field goal of their own to make it 20-16 at halftime.

Third Quarter Play

Peru State started with the ball in the third quarter having deferred to the second half. After a short gain rushing and an incomplete pass, Evangel intercepted a Klontz pass and took it into the end zone from 39 yards out to take their first lead of the game. The PAT was no good, but the Crusaders led 22-20.

The interception did not dampen the Bobcats' spirits as they came right back with a five-play, 68 yard drive to regain the lead. On the fifth play of the drive, Bray went right up the middle and ran for a 49-yard touchdown. Cockle's kick was good and Peru State led 27-22 with 11:46 left in the third.

That score would stand as the teams traded several possessions in the quarter.

Fourth Quarter Play

At the end of the third quarter, Evangel had started a drive on their one-yard following an excellent punt by Conry. On the first play in the fourth, the Crusaders had a 62-yard touchdown run. The two-point try failed, but Evangel led 28-27.
Two possessions later, the Crusaders took over on their 31-yard line. After a couple of plays, a big 51-yard pass, stopped by a Kelley tackle, put Evangel on the Bobcats' six-yard line. After no gain rushing, the Crusaders got a six-yard touchdown pass. The PAT was good and the Crusaders led 35-27 with 6:29 left in the game.

Peru State could only manage 19 yards on their next possession and were forced to punt. The Bobcats returned the favor on Evangel's next possession, giving the 'Cats another change to tie the game as they took over on the Crusaders' 46-yard line. Unfortunately for Peru State, their next possession ended in a lost fumble.

The Bobcats would use their timeouts as the Crusaders took over, but a 35-yard run dashed Peru State's hope of possibly getting the ball back. Two kneel downs later, Evangel sealed the upset win.

EVANGEL BOX SCORE

Team Statistics

The overall statistics were pretty close with the Bobcats having one more first down than Evangel, 20-19.

Evangel had the edge in total offense as they finished with 415 total yards with 228 yards of the offense coming through the air. Peru State finished with 366 total yards while gaining 261 yards on the ground.

The Crusaders won the turnover battle as they recovered one fumble and had one interception which was a big one as it resulted in a score. Peru State did intercept one Evangel pass.

As has been the case all season long, the Bobcats committed fewer penalties than their opponents as they were flagged five times for 44 yards. Evangel was penalized ten times for 98 yards.

Offensive Statistics

Bray finished with 152 yards rushing, his seventh game of the season with more than 100 yards, on 23 carries, with one touchdown. Klontz added 61 yards on 13 carries.

Klontz was eight of 19 passing for 105 yards and one touchdown. He was intercepted once.

Steffen grabbed five passes for 84 yards and had one touchdown.

Special Team Statistics

Conry was two of two on field goals. Two of his six kickoffs were touchbacks while his punting average was 36.2 yards per kick on six punts. Two of his punts were within the 20-yard line.

Campbell had three kickoff returns for 44 yards.

Defensive Statistics