(Peru, Neb.) – Peru State led for over 53 minutes in their game with Evangel in Springfield, Mo., before the Crusaders scored what would be the winning touchdown with 7:24 remaining in the game.
 
The Crusaders held off a Bobcat scoring threat which ended with an incomplete pass on 4^th and 8 to go on Evangel's 15-yard line to win 25-20.
 
With the win, Evangel improved its season record to 1-1 while Peru State fell to the same mark.
 
First Quarter Action
 
On the first play of the game, Evangel fumbled and Jon Draeger (Draeger) recovered it on the Crusaders' 20-yard line.

 
While Peru State was not able to put it in the end zone, Greg Conry (Harlan, Iowa) kicked a 29-yard field goal at the 12:52 mark to give the Bobcats the 3-0 lead.
 
Both teams moved the ball during the rest of the first quarter, but neither team was able to put points on the board.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
The Bobcats started a drive at the end of the first quarter from their eight-yard line. Tyler Audsley (Prescott Valley, Ariz.) started the drive with a 15-yard run and then completed an 11-yard pass to Jon Frink (Hooper) for another first down. Nate Tromblee (Lincoln) took a pitch from Audsley and moved the ball to the Bobcats' 44-yard line as the first quarter ended.
 
On the first play of the second quarter, Kerry Hubbard (Missouri City, Texas) took a hand-off and went for 33 yards, taking the ball to Evangel's 23 yard-line. Eric Morrison-Smith (San Diego, Calif.) carried for eight yards before Tromblee went three to get the fourth first down of the drive. With the ball at the Crusaders' 12-yard line, Morrison-Smith took the ball for eight yards down to the four-yard line. On the next play, Audsley went into the end zone on a quarterback keeper. After Conry's PAT was good, Peru State led 10-0 with 12:56 left in the half.

 
Late in the first half, Evangel threw the ball six straight times with the last throw resulting in a 19-yard touchdown pass. The Crusaders' PAT was good and with 1:08 left in the half, Peru State's lead was cut to 10-7.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
The Bobcats gained good field position to start the second half as James Sluka (Milligan) had a 30-yard kickoff return. Peru State started the half on their 40-yard line.
 
Three short rushes gave the Bobcats a first down in Evangel territory at the 49-yard line. The Bobcats were aided by a personal foul penalty which moved the ball to the Crusaders' 30-yard line. After an incomplete pass, Audsley found Jake Coughlin (Omaha) for a 30-yard touchdown pass. After Conry put through the point-after, the Bobcats led 17-7 with 10:42 left in the third quarter.
 
The teams traded drives before Evangel took over the ball with 3:42 left in the quarter on their 16-yard line. On the fourth play of the drive, the Crusaders struck for a 70-yard touchdown pass, but the extra point was no good. Peru State led 17-13 with 3:06 left in the quarter.

 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
The Bobcats recovered an onside kick attempt with 3:06 left in the third quarter and started a drive that resulted in a Conry 26-yard line field goal on the second play of the fourth quarter. At that point, the Bobcats led 20-13 with 14:16 remaining in the game.
 
Evangel got a 47-yard kickoff return to set them up on their 48-yard line to begin their first possession of the final quarter. A 37-yard pass play was followed by a 14-yard pass reception and the Crusaders were on Peru State's one-yard line.  Evangel was able to score on the next play. Nolan Gloe (Lincoln) blocked the extra point attempt and Peru State maintained the lead at 20-19.
 
The Crusaders stopped Peru State's next drive with an interception and took over on their 42-yard line with 11:41 left in the game. Even though Evangel had two 15-yard penalties, the Crusaders put together a 13-play drive which resulted in a two-yard touchdown run giving Evangel a 25-20 lead. The two-point try was no good, but the Crusaders led for the first time in the game with 7:24 remaining.
 
Peru State started what would be the final drive of the game on their 35-yard line. Through a combination of two first downs rushing and two first downs passing, the Bobcats managed to get the ball to Crusaders' 15-yard line where their fourth and 8 pass attempt fell incomplete.

EVANGEL GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
Evangel finished with 24 first downs compared to Peru State's 22. The Bobcats managed to gain 225 yards on the ground in 50 attempts while holding Evangel to just 67 yards on the ground. However, the Crusaders gained 323 yards through the air going 20 for 35 with two interceptions. Peru State gained 113 yards passing on 9 of 18 and had one interception.
 
The Crusaders were flagged for seven penalties for 75 yards while Peru State had six penalties for 45 yards.
 
Offensive Statistics
 

Morrison-Smith led the Bobcats in rushing with 90 yards while Audsley gained 53 with one touchdown. Audsley was 9 of 18 in passing for 113 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
 
AJ Flodman (Hickman) caught two of Audsley's passes for 14 yards. Coughlin's lone catch went for 30 yards while six other Bobcats each had one reception.
 
Special Team Statistics
 
Conry made two field goals and had four punts averaging 31.8 yards. Conry also handled the kickoff duties and averaged 63.4 yards on five attempts with one touchback.
 
Sluka had three kickoff returns for 70 yards.
 
Defensive Statistics
 
Elijah Lavalais-Hawkins (Omaha) led Peru State with 12 total tackles with four being solo. Lavalais-Hawkins also added 1.5 tackles for losses of 4.3 yards and one pass break-up. Draeger finished with nine tackles – four solo and one fumble recovery. Gunnar Orcutt (Omaha) added seven tackles – two solo and was credited for .5 tackle for a loss of 1.3 yards.

 
Tom Martig (Omaha), Logan Paben (Columbus), and Briar Burr (Wood River) each finished with six tackles. Paben also had one interception and one pass break-up while Burr was credited for .5 tackle for a loss of 1.3 yards. Dylan Wright (Ashland, Mo.) also had one interception in the contest.
 
Upcoming Game
 
The Bobcats will host Avila University this coming Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Oak Bowl. The Eagles have dropped their first two ballgames losing at home on Saturday to Benedictine 44-28 and dropping their opener on the road at Graceland 45-14.
 
Peru State will recognize their winter and spring sports student-athletes at halftime for their athletic and academic accomplishments.