(Peru, Neb.) – After playing the Ravens tough last year in Auburn, the Peru State football team was toppled by Benedictine College 49-6 on Saturday.  With the win, it gave Benedictine head coach Larry Wilcox his 250^th victory, moving him ahead of legendary coach Lou Holtz for 22^nd in all-time football coaching victories in all football divisions.
 
With the win, the 25^th-ranked Ravens improved to 4-3 overall and 3-2 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.  The Bobcats fell to 1-6 overall and are winless in five tries in conference play.
 
Game Action
 
It was all Benedictine in the first half as they had three passing touchdowns in the first quarter, two passing touchdowns in the second quarter, and finished the first half with a rushing touchdown to lead 42-0 after the first 30 minutes.
 
The Bobcats had a good drive going at the end of the first quarter after taking over with 1:04 left on their 37-yard line after a Logan Paben (Columbus) 22-yard punt return.  Marccus Spearman (Platte City, Mo.) got nine yards on a run which was followed by a one-yard gain by Aaron Smith (Houma, La.) giving the 'Cats a first down.  On the next play, quarterback Bo Shepard (Gretna) found Andrew Robinson (Imperial Beach, Calif.) for a 44-yard first down passing putting Peru State on the Raven nine-yard line.  However, on the first play of the second quarter, the Bobcats lost a fumble and a scoring opportunity.

 
On Peru State's second drive of the third quarter, the 'Cats were able to put together a 13-play, 78-yard drive which resulted in a 32-yard field goal by Greg Conry (Harlan, Iowa). 
 
However, the Ravens came right back and four plays later, scored another rushing touchdown, making the score 49-3.
 
At the end of the third quarter, Peru State started their drive on their side of the field at the 35-yard line.  On fourth and five, the Bobcats executed a fake punt with Conry hitting Ben Watkins (Omaha) for a 34-yard gain and a first down on Benedictine's 26-yard line.  However, the 'Cats could not gain much after that and on the first play of the fourth quarter, Conry nailed a 40-yard field goal to make the final score 49-6.

BENEDICTINE GAME BOX
 
Team Statistics
 
Benedictine led every statistical category.  The Ravens had 21 first downs compared to Peru State's 16.  Benedictine finished with 264 net yards rushing and 337 yards passing for 601 total yards compared to Peru State's 283 total yards – 149 rushing and 134 passing.
 
The Ravens grabbed two Peru State fumbles while the Bobcats did recover one Benedictine fumble.  The 'Cats were flagged twice for eight yards while Benedictine had five flags for 35 yards.
 
Offensive Statistics
 
Shepard finished with 64 yards rushing on 12 carries with a long run of 28 yards before leaving the game with an ankle injury.  No other Bobcat runner finished with more than 25 yards.
 
Klontz was 6 of 16 passing for 43 yards while Shepard's one completion went for 44 yards.  Conry hit the fake punt pass for 34 yards.
 
Robinson was the big receiver with four grabs for 66 yards.
 
Special Team Statistics
 
 

Sullivan punted six times averaging 39.3 yards per punt while Conry punted once for 28 yards.
 
James Sluka (Milligan) had one punt return for four yards.  Malek Pittman (Omaha) had three kickoff returns for 72 yards while Paben also had three kickoff returns for 71 yards.
 
Conry was two-for-two in field goal attempts of 32 and 40 yards.  He also had three kickoffs averaging 62.0 yards per kick with one touchback.
 
Defensive Statistics
 
Paben led the team with eight tackles – four of which were solo.  Elijah Hawkins (Omaha) finished with six tackles – two solo, while Brian Bell (Imperial) and Justin Barnes (Tallahassee, Fla.) each finished with five.  Bell had three solo tackles while Barnes had two solo.
 
Sam Dolezal (Lincoln) forced a fumble while Robert Georges (Auburn) had a fumble recovery.
 
Cristian Ruiz (Omaha), David Horvath (O'Fallon, Mo.), and Andrew Shackelford (Bradenton, Fla.) all were credited with a tackle for a loss while Jon Draeger (Dunbar) and Gunnar Orcutt (Omaha) each had one-half a tackle for a loss.
 
Upcoming Game
 
Peru State will travel to Kansas City, Mo., next Saturday to take on Avila University at 1 p.m.  The Eagles are currently 3-4 overall and 1-4 in conference play having lost on Saturday to Baker University 45-3.  Avila is presently on a four-game losing streak.