(Peru, Neb.) – In the inaugural Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) versus Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) Football Classic, the Peru State Bobcats did their part in representing the HAAC. The 'Cats traveled to Winfield, Kan., and topped the Moundbuilders of Southwestern College 44-21.

With the win, Peru State improved to 2-0 on the season while Southwestern falls to 1-1. It was the first time since the 2000 campaign that the Bobcats had started a season with two wins.

First Quarter Action

It looked like it might be a high-scoring game the way the first quarter started as Southwestern won the toss and decided to take the ball. It took the Moundbuilders just nine plays and they took an early lead as they scored on a nine-yard rush. With the conversion, Southwestern led 7-0 with 11:21 remaining in the first quarter.

The Bobcats responded after Logan Paben (Columbus) returned the kickoff for 16 yards as Peru State started their first possession on the Moundbuilders' 36-yard line. The 'Cats came out passing as Tyler Audsley (Prescott Valley, Ariz.) hit Nate Tromblee (Lincoln) for 20 yards and a first down. After two unsuccessful rushing plays, Audsley found Tromblee again, this time for a 49-yard touchdown pass. Levi Cockle's (Lincoln) PAT was good and the game was tied 7-7 with 9:28 left in the first quarter.

There was no more scoring in the first quarter as the teams traded several possessions.
Second Quarter Action

After several series in the second quarter, the Bobcats stopped a Southwestern drive which had started on Peru State's 17-yard line due to a lost fumble. The 'Cats stopped the Moundbuilders and took over on their own 23-yard line. Peru State fashioned a 13-play, 77-yard drive which was primarily rushing and was capped off by an Audsley one-yard run for a touchdown. Cockle's kick was good and the Bobcats were back on top 14-7 with 5:04 left in the half.

Southwestern responded on their next series and put together an 11-play, 71-yard drive for a score to knot it at 14-14 with 2:16 remaining in the first half.

A 53-yard kickoff return by Bobcat Garret Campbell (Santee, Calif.) gave Peru State great field position starting in Moundbuilders' territory.

Passes to Lance Steffen (Murdock) and JD Faxon (Odell) resulted in a first down for the Bobcats. Several runs by Ethan Bray (Liberal, Mo.) and Audsley moved the ball to Southwestern's 18-yard line. After a dropped pass, Audsley ran a quarterback keeper in for a touchdown with just 12 seconds left in the half. Cockle's kick was good and the Bobcats would take a 21-14 lead into the halftime break.
Third Quarter Action

Campbell took the second half kickoff 49 yards giving the Bobcats good field position to start the second half at the midfield stripe.

Two first downs by passing followed by two first downs rushing put the ball on the Moundbuilders' five-yard line. Bray carried the ball into the end zone from there and Peru State led 28-14 after Cockle's kick was through the uprights. The Bobcats took 5:52 off the clock by putting together a 12-play, 50-yard scoring drive to start the half.

A good defensive stance on the next series by the Bobcats forced the Moundbuilders to punt. Faxon returned the punt 12 yards and once again, Peru State started their next series in the opponents' side of the field on their 49-yard line.

Runs by Bray and Audsley eventually resulted in a one-yard quarterback keeper by Audsley for another Bobcat touchdown. Cockle's kick was good and the 'Cats were up 35-14 with 5:29 left in the third stanza. The scoring drive was five plays for 49 yards.
Fourth Quarter Action

The teams traded possessions to end the third period and Southwestern started the fourth quarter with the ball, but were not successful. Faxon took the Southwestern punt back 27 yards and again Peru State would start an eventual scoring drive in the Moundbuilders' territory.

With the exception of one rush by Tromblee, Bray carried the ball three times in the scoring drive as he eventually scored on a three-yard run with 13:20 remaining in the game. The four-play, 38-yard drive only took 38 seconds off the clock. Cockle's kick was wide, but the 'Cats led 41-14.

Southwestern managed two first downs passing on their next series and eventually on a fourth down play, Campbell broke up a pass to thwart their scoring attempt. This gave Peru State the ball, again in good field position, at their 43-yard line. Marshall Klontz (Auburn, Wash.) took over the quarterback duties for Peru State and helped move the ball down to the Moundbuilders' 17-yard line where the drive stalled. Cockle came in and kicked a 34-yard field goal making it Peru State 44-14 over Southwestern with 7:19 left in the game.

The Moundbuilders were able to add a touchdown on their next possession and the final score ended at 44-21 Peru State.
Team Statistics

Peru State had 29 first downs compared to 14 by the Moundbuilders.

The Bobcats finished the game with 460 yards of total offense with 280 yards coming on rushes and 180 yards through the air. Southwestern finished with 337 total yards, with the majority of it, 291 yards, coming on passing. Peru State had 60 rushing attempts and was 14 of 21 passing with one interception.

The 'Cats did lose the turnover battle with two lost fumbles and one interception, but their play made up the difference.

Offensive Statistics

Audsley gained 95 yards on the ground on 17 attempts and scored three touchdowns. Bray finished with 88 yards and two touchdowns.

In the passing category, Audsley was 13 of 19 for 165 yards and one touchdown. Audsley also had one pass intercepted. Klontz finished one of two for 15 yards.

Faxon caught six passes for 39 yards. Tromblee grabbed three passes for 81 yards and one touchdown while Steffen had three catches for 36 yards.

Special Team Statistics

Greg Conry (Harlan, Iowa) had two punts averaging 35 yards while having one touchback and one inside the 20.

Campbell's two kickoff returns totaled 103 yards and gave Peru State outstanding starting field position each time. Faxon had three punt returns for 52 yards.

Defensive Statistics

Curtis Larsen (Plattsmouth) led the Bobcats with nine tackles – two of which were solo. Larsen had a sack for ten yards and two tackles for a loss of 12.5 yards. Briar Burr (Wood River) finished with eight tackles – one solo while Campbell and Jon Draeger (Syracuse) each had seven tackles. Campbell had three solo tackles while Draeger was credited with one-half of a sack and two and one-half tackles for a loss of seven and one-half yards.

Jake Kelley (Beggs, Okla.) added six tackles while Paben, Cody Sullivan (Roca), Chase Bloomquist (Wausa), and Cody Piotrowski (Mishawaka, Ind.) each had five tackles.

Shane Lloyd (Ridgecrest, Calif.), Nevada Harlan (Maize, Kan.), and Zach Lempka (Sterling) each were credited with tackles for losses. Lempka also forced a fumble.

SOUTHWESTERN BOX SCORE

Hickory Road BBQ Player of the Game

Campbell was named the KNCY/Hickory Road BBQ Player of the Game for his efforts in kick returning and on defense. Discussing his efforts, Campbell stated, "My blockers did a great job for me and opened up some good lanes. Unfortunately, I did not score, but I did get us set up in good field position." In addition, Campbell added, "We were trying to protect the deep ball as we have worked on that the past two weeks. We were coached well and our efforts paid off."

Coach Schneider Comments

Co-defensive coordinator Lou Varley visited with the radio announcers at the conclusion of the game. Coach Varley commended his defensive team for their efforts. Varley said, "We were disappointed in the first drive in which they scored as we had talked about their big plays. However, we settled down and we played smarter and well the rest of the game." Varley continued, "Our defensive coaching staff has worked hard to develop a game plan, but it comes down to having our kids execute it. And they did that tonight."

Upcoming Action

The Bobcats will be on the road again next week when they travel to Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. This will be the first Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) matchup of the year for both teams. Presently, the YellowJackets are 1-1 on the season having won their opener over Mayville State University, but fell on Saturday in a KCAC/HAAC matchup with McPherson College 34-0.

Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m.