(Peru, Neb.) – While spooking things can happen when teams play on Halloween, the Peru State football team decided to take care of business and produced a Homecoming win over visiting Graceland University. The Bobcats won the Heart of America North Division game 34-24.
 
With the win, Peru State improves to 5-4 overall and 1-2 in the North while the Yellowjackets fell to 3-6 and 0-3 in the North.

 
First Quarter Action
 
The spooky things tried to appear and challenge the Bobcats in the opening quarter. After the Bobcats had stopped Graceland and forced them to punt, the short kick was fumbled by Peru State and Graceland recovered on the Bobcats' 33-yard line. However, the defense held and the Yellowjackets only managed a field goal to take the early lead at 3-0 with 10:30 left in the first quarter.
 
After a Travis Carnahan (Wahoo) kick-off return of 22 yards, the Bobcats started their first possession on their 28-yard line. Nate Tromblee (Lincoln) took the first handoff and went for 15 yards and a first down. Following a short gain of three yards, quarterback Tyler Audsley (Prescott Valley, Ariz.) went for 12 yards and another first down. On the third play after the second first down, Eric Morrison-Smith (San Diego, Calif.) went for nine yards for the third first down of the drive. Morrison-Smith, after an eight-yard run by Tromblee, went five yards to get the fourth first down and Peru State was on the Yellowjacket 11-yard line. Colton Audsley (Prescott Valley, Ariz.) went the distance to score the Bobcats' first touchdown. The PAT by Greg Conry (Harlan, Iowa) was good and Peru State led 7-3 with 5:59 left in the quarter.
 
The Yellowjackets came back on their next possession and went 83 yards in 13 plays to score. The drive took 5:25 and with 34 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Graceland led 10-3.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
After a short run ended the first quarter, Peru State started the second quarter on their 33-yard line. Tromblee ran ten yards for a first down which was followed by a 16-yard scamper by Colton Audsley to put the 'Cats in Graceland's territory at the 41-yard line. Morrison-Smith accounted for the third first down of the drive with an 11-yard run. Tyler Audsley went 18 yards to set the Bobcats in the red zone at the eight-yard line. After a short gain, Colton Audsley scored his second touchdown of the game with a six-yard run. Conry's kick was good and with 11:05 left in the first half, Peru State had regained the lead at 14-10.
 

Graceland come right back on their next possession and went 97 yards in eight plays to go back on top 17-14 with 8:12 left in the second quarter.
 
Back-to-back fumbles gave the ball back to Peru State and the Bobcats took over in Graceland's territory at their 46-yard line. Morrison-Smith accounted for three of Peru State's first downs with Tromblee taking it in from two yards outs to put the 'Cats on top for what would be for good. Conry hit his PAT and it was 21-17 Peru State with 4:31 left in the half.
 
The teams twice traded possessions with Peru State getting the ball with 21 seconds left in the half on Graceland's 44-yard line. Pass interference on Graceland was called on the second play which moved the ball to the 32-yard line. With six seconds left on the clock, Conry hit a 49-yard field goal and the Bobcats went into the half leading 24-17.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
Peru State received the second half kickoff and started on their 38-yard line. Colton Audsley secured the first first down of the second half with an eight-yard run that moved the ball to midfield. Morrison-Smith followed with a 23-yard run. Three plays later, Morrison-Smith gained the third first down of the drive and Peru State was back in the Yellowjacket red zone at the 19-yard line. Graceland's defense stiffened forcing a field goal attempt of 28 yards by Conry which he drilled down the middle. With 9:06 left in the third quarter, the Bobcats led 27-17.
 
Late in the quarter, Darius Finley (Roanoke, Ala.) intercepted a pass at the Graceland 47-yard line and almost took it to the house. Finley was finally tackled at the Yellowjacket five-yard line. After a personal foul on Peru State which was followed by a five-yard rushing loss, the Bobcats found themselves back at the 25-yard line. After a short rushing play, Carnahan found Jake Coughlin (Omaha) on a 23-yard strike on which Coughlin made an unbelievable catch in the corner of the end zone. Conry's kick was good and the Bobcats now led 34-17.

 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
After forcing a three-and-out at the beginning of the fourth, the Bobcats only managed three plays before fumbling the ball with Graceland recovering.
 
The Yellowjackets put together a 12-play, 74-yard drive to get back within ten at 34-24 with 9:57 left in the contest.
 
Tromblee's kickoff return of 33 yards gave Peru State good field position at Graceland's 42-yard line. The Bobcats were able to move it to the Yellowjackets' four-yard line before the drive stalled.
 
Graceland took over there and also moved the ball down the field and settled for a 37-yard field goal attempt which was blocked by Rashad Baker (Tempe, Ariz.).
 
The Bobcats had two kneel downs and won their first divisional game of the season.

GRACELAND GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
The team statistics reflect how close the game actually was as Peru State finished with 356 yards while the Yellowjackets had 332. Graceland had 29 first downs compared to Peru State's 23.
 
Peru State gained most of their yardage on the ground as they racked up 326 yards while hold the Yellowjackets to just 67 yards rushing. Graceland did most of their damage through the air as they went 26 of 55 for 265 yards.

 
The Bobcats survived for the win despite giving up the ball three times on fumbles, but countered with two interceptions and one fumble recovery.

The 'Cats were flagged eight times for 118 yards while Graceland only had four penalties for 34 yards.
 
Offensive Statistics
 
Morrison-Smith gained 131 yards on 28 carries with a long of 23 yards. Colton Audsley gained 65 yards on just five carries and had two touchdowns. Tromblee had the other rushing touchdown for the Bobcats.
 
Carnahan completed just one pass, but it was for a touchdown for 23 yards with Coughlin being on the receiving end. AJ Flodman (Hickman) caught the only other pass reception.
 
Special Team Statistics
 
The Bobcats did not punt during the game and only had one punt return which was fumbled.
 
Colton Audsley had one kickoff return for 46 yards while Tromblee had two for 40 yards. Carnahan had two returns for 33 yards.
 
Conry hit two of three field goals with a long of 49 yards.
 
Defensive Statistics
 
Baker and Briar Burr (Wood River) each finished with eight total tackles – five of which were solo. Baker added one tackle for a loss of three yards, one pass break-up, and one blocked field goal. Burr was credited for four pass break-ups.
 
Elijah Lavalais-Hawkins (Omaha) added seven tackles – two solo while Tom Martig (Omaha) and Gunnar Orcutt (Omaha) each had six tackles. Martig finished with four solo and also had a fumble recovery.
 
Steven Bowers (LaVista) had two tackles for a loss of four yards while Andrew Shackelford (Bradenton, Fla.) and Nolan Siemonsma (Plattsmouth) each were credited for a sack. Shackelford's was for a loss of nine yards while Siemonsma's was for ten yards.
 
Finley had two solo tackles, two pass break-ups, and two interceptions which he returned for 44 yards.
 
Upcoming Game
 
Peru State will be on the road next week with a game against Culver-Stockton in Canton, Mo. Game time with the Wildcats is scheduled for noon. Presently, Culver-Stockton is still looking for its first win of the season as they were topped Saturday by Grand View 76-3.