(Peru, Neb.) – Paraphrasing the words of Bobcat radio announcer Doc Wininger, "There was more soiled linen on the football field today than in a fine restaurant," would appear to be a good way to describe the Peru State-Culver-Stockton College football game on Saturday.  There were 32 penalties called on the two teams with 287 yards of penalties racked up.
 
The Wildcats ended up defeating the Bobcat 24-14 in Canton, Mo.  With the win, Culver-Stockton improved to 5-5 overall and 3-5 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.  Peru State dropped to 2-8 overall and 1-7 in conference play.
 
Game Action
 
Peru State forced the Wildcats to punt on their first series and took over on the Bobcats' 38-yard line.  After a short gain rushing, Peru State fumbled and the Wildcats took over on the Bobcats' 41-yard line.  Six plays later, Culver-Stockton scored their first touchdown of the game on a three-yard pass play.  The PAT was good and with 9:02 left in the first quarter; the Wildcats led 7-0.
 
The defenses for both teams were tough throughout the remainder of the first quarter and nothing happened until Culver-Stockton started a drive on their 37-yard line with 12:11 remaining in the first half.  Twelve plays later, the Wildcats booted a field goal from 24 yards to take a 10-0 lead with 6:43 left in the second quarter.

 
That would be the end of scoring in the first half as again, the defenses stiffened.
 
On Peru State's second possession in the third quarter, which started on their six-yard line, Tommy Wilson (Wildomar, Calif.) found Jon Frink (Hooper) on the first play from scrimmage for a 94-yard touchdown pass.  Unofficially, this is the longest touchdown pass in nearly 20 years.  Greg Conry's (Harlan, Iowa) point after was good and Peru State was now down 10-7 with 8:08 left in the third.
 
After an unsportsmanlike conduct was called on the Wildcats, Peru State caught Culver-Stockton off guard and executed an onside kick.  Conry's kick was recovered by Ben Watkins (Omaha) on the Wildcats' 36-yard line.  Another unsportsmanlike conduct was called on Culver-Stockton and the Bobcats started their drive at the Wildcats' 21-yard line.
 
A 15-yard rush by Aaron Smith (Houma, La.) moved the ball down to the six-yard line.  Two consecutive unsportsmanlike conduct calls were against the Wildcats after Smith had rushed for another two yards and moved the ball to the one-yard line.  Smith took it in from there and after Conry's PAT, Peru State was ahead 14-10 with 7:05 left in the quarter.
 
Near the end of the third quarter, the Wildcats intercepted a Peru State pass and started their drive in Bobcat territory at the 44-yard line.  Two plays into the fourth quarter, Culver-Stockton scored a rushing touchdown and with 14:55 left in the game, the Wildcats regained the lead at 17-14.
 
 

On Peru State's next drive, the Bobcats were intercepted again and Culver-Stockton had an opportunity to extend the lead.  However, Peru State stopped the drive, forcing a field goal attempt which went wide left.
 
The Bobcats could not muster much offense on its next possession and Culver-Stockton would eventually take over on their 46-yard line.  Eleven plays later, the Wildcats got a one-yard rushing touchdown and with the PAT, Culver-Stockton now led 24-14 with 4:36 left in the game.
 
That would be the final score of the game.
 
Team Statistics
 
Culver-Stockton gained 19 first downs compared to Peru State's six.  The Wildcats had 146 yards rushing and 179 through the air for 325 total yards.  The Bobcats managed only 68 yards on the ground and had another 113 yards in the air for 181 total yards.
 
The Wildcats controlled the clock for over 37 minutes.  Both teams lost a fumble, but Culver-Stockton picked off three Peru State passes.
 
Culver-Stockton was whistled for 20 of the 32 penalties for 189 yards.
 
Offensive Statistics
 
Smith gained 43 yards rushing on 11 carries and had one touchdown.  Jake Goble (Des Moines, Iowa) added 19 yards on four carries.
 
Wilson was four of ten through the air for 106 yards and one touchdown, but gave up three interceptions.  Marshall Klontz (Auburn, Wash.) was one of four for seven yards.
 
Nate Tromblee (Lincoln) caught three passes for 12 yards while Frink grabbed the other two for 101 reception yards and one touchdown.
 
Special Team Statistics
 
Conry punted seven times averaging 36.4 yards per punt.  He also kicked off two times for 58.5 yards per kick.
 
Logan Paben (Columbus) had three kickoff returns for 54 yards and also had one punt return.  Tromblee had two kickoff returns for 38 yards.  James Sluka (Milligan) added one punt return for four yards.
 
Defensive Statistics
 
Cody Sullivan (Roca), Watkins, and Elijah Hawkins (Omaha) each finished with six tackles.  Sullivan and Watkins each had five solo while Hawkins had four solo.  Darvel Collins (St. Louis, Mo.), Paben, Briar Burr (Wood River), and Derreon Richardson (St. Louis, Mo.) all finished with five tackles.

 
David Horvath (O'Fallon, Mo.) finished with one sack for a four-yard loss.  Shane Lloyd (Ridge Crest, Calif.) and Horvath were each credited with 1.5 tackles for losses.  Lloyd added a forced fumble which was recovered by Alan Barnes (Murdock).

CULVER-STOCKTON BOX SCORE
 
Upcoming Game
 
Peru State's final game of the season will be a home game in the Oak Bowl next Saturday, Nov. 15.  The opponent will be Central Methodist University from Fayette, Mo.  The Eagles are 4-6 overall and 3-5 in conference action.  Central Methodist has dropped their last four contests including a 28-14 decision at home on Saturday to Baker University.
 
It will be Senior Day for 14 Bobcat seniors.  The following seniors and their parents will be recognized prior to the game on Saturday:  Kyle Berglund (Creighton), Tyler Ford (Lincoln), Beau Godwin (Cottonwood, Ariz.), Marshall Klontz (Auburn, Wash.), Shane Lloyd (Ridge Crest, Calif.), Jake Long (Kansas City, Mo.), Matthew Miners (Omaha), Derreon Richardson (St. Louis, Mo.), Alexander Roth (Omaha), Bo Shepard (Gretna), Isaiah Spears (Chicago), Cody Sullivan (Roca), Dean Wood (Gretna), and Alex Wessels (Weeping Water).