(Peru, Neb.) – Four Bobcat turnovers – three fumbles and an interception – kept Peru State from gaining any momentum in the first half in their game with Baker on Saturday. The Wildcats led 28-3 at halftime and went on to win 35-10 in Baldwin City, Kan.
 
The eighth-ranked Wildcats improved to 5-1 on the season while the 20^th-ranked Peru State team fell to 4-2.
 
First Quarter Highlights
 
The Wildcats took the opening kickoff and marched it down the field to score on a five-yard touchdown run. After the PAT, Baker led 7-0 with 12:08 on the clock in the first quarter.
 
On Peru State's first possession, on its fourth play, Baker intercepted a Bobcat pass and took over on their 30-yard line. Three plays later, the Wildcats returned the favor as Elijah Lavalais-Hawkins (Omaha) intercepted a Baker pass. Peru State took over in Baker's territory on the 37-yard line.

 
Six rushing plays were followed by an incomplete pass and Peru State was forced to kick a field goal. Greg Conry's (Harlan, Iowa) 23-yard attempt was good and the 'Cats trailed 7-3.
 
Baker did take their next possession and after 16 plays, the Wildcats extended their lead to 14-3 with 1:10 remaining in the first quarter.
 
Second Quarter Highlights
 
Peru State had two plays in the first quarter and then on the third play of the second quarter, the Bobcats fumbled. The Wildcats recovered and took over on Peru State's 20-yard line. The Bobcat defense held Baker to a 38-yard field goal attempt which wide right. The score remained 14-3 Baker.
 
The Bobcats could only manage one first down on their next possession and were forced to punt. On Baker's next possession, the Wildcats went nine plays and eventually scored. After the PAT was good, Baker led 21-3 with 6:07 left in the half.
 
Peru State did get near mid-field, but another fumble was recovered by the Wildcats and they took over in Bobcat territory at the 48-yard line. Six plays later, the Wildcats got on the board again and with 1:22 left in the half, Baker led 28-3.
 
Travis Carnahan (Wahoo) took the kickoff back 37 yards and Peru State was aided by a personal foul on the first play. Nate Tromblee (Lincoln) went 17 yards for a first down to the Baker 21-yard line. After another first down, on the second play, once again, the Bobcats coughed it up. This time, it was in the Wildcat red zone at the 11-yard line. Baker did take a knee and the half ended 28-3 in favor of the Wildcats.
 
Third Quarter Highlights
 

Another good kickoff return by Carnahan gave Peru State good field position to start the second half. Carnahan went 35 yards and the Bobcats started on their 40-yard line. Peru State did get a first down a first down rushing when Aaron Smith (Houma, La.) carried for 14 yards into Baker territory at the 38-yard line. However, the Bobcats could not move it after that and a fourth down pass fell incomplete.
 
The Wildcats took over on downs and nine plays later scored on a 17-yard touchdown pass. The PAT was good and Baker led 35-3 with 8:24 left in the third stanza.
 
After Peru State went three-and-out and forced to punt, the Bobcat defense forced Baker to punt for the first time. James Sluka (Milligan) returned the punt 16 yards and then was hit out-of-bounds with the Wildcats being flagged for the 15-yard penalty. Peru State took over at their 41-yard line, but the Bobcat offense struggled again and Peru State had to punt.
 
The third quarter ended with Baker leading 35-3.
 
Fourth Quarter Highlights
 
Neither team moved the ball much in the fourth quarter until the end when Peru State took over on the Baker 22-yard line with 4:54 remaining in the game.
 
Carnahan took the first carry on a quarterback keeper and scampered for 32 yards into Baker territory at the 46-yard line. Peru State continued to move the ball down the field and fortunately, on fourth and one, another Bobcat fumble was recovered by Sean Van Briesen (LaVista) for a first down. On the next play, Carnahan went in from 19 yards out for Peru State's only score of the game. Conry's PAT was good and it was Baker 35-10 with 1:20 left on the clock.
 
The Wildcats ran out the clock for the win.
 
Team Statistics
 
Baker finished with 23 first downs with the Bobcats having 17. The Wildcats outgained Peru State 413 to 233 as they had 298 through the air and 115 on the ground. Peru State was held to 233 total yards with 233 coming on the ground and getting only nine yards in the air.

 
The big key was the turnovers as the Bobcats fumbled five times and lost three. Both teams each had one interception.

BAKER GAME BOOK
 
Offensive Statistics
 
Carnahan ended up as the team's leading rusher with 69 yards on seven carries and one touchdown. Tyler Audsley (Prescott Valley, Ariz.) had 44 yards on 24 attempts.
 
Audsley went two for nine for nine yards. Jon Frink (Hooper) and Smith each caught one pass.
 
Special Team Statistics
 
Conry punted five times averaging 41.2 yards and also made a 23-yard field goal.
 
Sluka had one punt return for 16 yards while Colton Audsley (Prescott Valley, Ariz.) had two kickoff returns for 60 yards with Carnahan having three returns for 86 yards.
 
Defensive Statistics
 
Lavalais-Hawkins had 13 game-high tackles – six of which were solo. Lavalais-Hawkins also intercepted one Wildcat pass.
 
Briar Burr (Wood River) had nine tackles – three solo while Darius Finley (Roanoke, Ala.) finished with eight tackles – five solo.
 
Upcoming Game
 
Peru State will have an opportunity to lick its wounds and hopefully get a little healthier as next week is a bye week for the entire Heart of America Athletic Conference.
 
The following week, on Saturday, Oct. 17, the Bobcats will William Penn University at 11 a.m. in the Heart's ESPN3 game. The Statesmen are currently 4-2 and defeated Avila (Mo.) 51-29 on Saturday.
 
The game will also be the first Northern Division contest of the year.