(Peru, Neb.) – Six turnovers led to the demise of the Peru State football offensive efforts on Saturday against the visiting MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) Pioneers.  The Bobcats had five fumbles, losing four, and also had two interceptions in the 40-0 loss to the 14^th-ranked Pioneers.
 
With the win, MNU improved to 7-1 overall and 6-1 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference – good for a tie for first place.  The Bobcats dropped to 2-7 overall and 1-6 in conference play.
 
Game Action
 
The Bobcat defense forced the Pioneers to attempt a field goal on their first drive which was wide left and no good.
 
On Peru State's second play from scrimmage, the Bobcats fumbled the ball on a pitch play and MNU recovered on the Bobcats' 17-yard line.  Peru State's defense was tough and forced another field goal attempt which MNU hit from 34 yards.  With 9:19 left in the first quarter, the Pioneers led 3-0.
 
The teams traded possessions and on the Bobcats' next possession, again on the second play, Peru State fumbled and MNU took over on the Bobcats' 45-yard line.  Eight plays later the Pioneers scored on a one-yard run. The PAT was good and with 50 seconds left in the first quarter, MNU led 10-0.
 
The Bobcats did move the ball on their next series and had a fourth and one at MNU's 29, but were stopped for no gain on fourth down.
 
After the Bobcat defense forced MNU to punt, on Peru State's second play of the drive, the Pioneers intercepted a pass at the Bobcats' 34-yard line.  On the next play, MNU hit a touchdown pass and with the point after, it was now 17-0 with 9:41 left in the first half.
 
Peru State was forced into a three and out on their next possession and while the Bobcat defense kept MNU out of the end zone, the Pioneers hit a 25-yard field goal to lead 20-0 with 5:42 left in the second quarter.
 
The trouble continued on the next Bobcat series as on third and six, MNU picked off another interception which they took into the end zone.  However, the Pioneers were called for a chop block and they started their drive on Peru State's 29-yard line.  Five plays later, MNU scored and with 3:23 left in the first half, the Pioneers now led 27-0.
 
The 'Cats had a drive going and managed to go from their 16-yard line into MNU's 47-yard line where the drive stalled.  Peru State went for it on fourth down and the pass was broken up.
 
After one first down, MNU kneeled down to end the half with a 27-point advantage.
 
The start of the second half looked promising for the Bobcats as Marccus Spearman (Platte City, Mo.) took the opening kickoff back for 42 yards to MNU's 30-yard line.  However, on the very next play, the option pitch was fumbled and the Pioneers recovered the ball on their 42-yard line.
 
MidAmerica Nazarene then moved the ball down the field, but once again, Peru State's defense toughened, forcing another field goal attempt which was good from 30 yards.  With 9:45 left in the third quarter, MNU led 30-0.
 
The next possession for Peru State was one of their better series of the day as they went from their 35-yard line down to MNU's 28-yard line where they attempted a 40-yard field goal which ultimately was blocked.
 
The teams then traded possessions and on MNU's next possession they started on their 45-yard line with 1:28 left in the quarter.  It only took one play as the Pioneers went 55 yards for the touchdown.  With the point after, MNU led 37-0 after taking just 11 seconds off the clock.
 
The Peru State offense sputtered on their next possession and MNU took over on their 46-yard line.  Eight plays later, the Pioneers kicked a 45-yard field goal which ultimately was the final scoring of the game.
 
Both teams took time off the clock in their next possessions, but the game ended 40-0.
 
Team Statistics
 
MNU had 23 first downs while the Bobcats mustered 12.  The total yardage was nearly triple in favor the Pioneers as they finished with 434 total yards – 278 on the ground and 156 through the air.  Peru State finished with 151 total yards – 110 rushing and 41 passing.
 
Clearly making a big difference in the game were Peru State's six turnovers – four fumbles lost out of five fumbles and two interceptions.
 
Offensive Statistics
 
Nate Tromblee (Lincoln) led Peru State with 39 yards while Spearman added 37 yards on the ground.
 
Tommy Wilson (Wildomar, Calif.) was 5 of 9 passing for 32 yards and one interception while Marshall Klontz (Auburn, Wash.) was 2 of 8 for nine yards and one interception. 
 
Aaron Smith (Houma, La.) had three receptions for 27 yards.  Tromblee, Spearman, Andrew Robinson (Imperial Beach, Calif.), and Jacob Merrill (Elkhorn) each had one reception.
 
Special Team Statistics
 
Greg Conry (Harlan, Iowa) punted three times averaging 42.7 yards per punt.  Conry also kicked off once for 65 yards.
 
Logan Paben (Columbus) had one punt return for 15 yards.  Tromblee had four kickoff returns for 57 yards while Spearman had two for 45 yards.
 
Defensive Statistics
 
Jon Draeger (Dunbar) led the team with a game-high ten tackles – four of which were solo.  Shane Lloyd (Ridge Crest, Calif.) had seven tackles – three solo and added one sack for a loss of one yard.
 
Paben finished with five tackles – three solo while Elijah Hawkins (Omaha) also had five tackles – two solo.
 
Jake Long (Kansas City, Mo.), Cody Sullivan (Roca), Brandon Fletcher (Maxwell), David Horvath (O'Fallon, Mo.), and Matt O'Neill (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) each added four tackles.

MNU BOX SCORE
 
Upcoming Game
 
Next week Peru State will travel to Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo., for a 1 p.m. contest.  The Wildcats are 4-5 overall and 2-5 in the Heart having pooled off a 38-24 upset yesterday on the road over then 7^th-ranked Baker University.