(Peru, Neb.) – The William Penn (WPU) Statesmen figured out how to shut down the third-best rushing offense of Peru State on Saturday on their way to a 13-9 victory. WPU held the 'Cats to just 126 yards on the ground after the Bobcats had entered the contest averaging over 300 yards per game.
 
It was the first divisional game in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) North with William Penn improving to 4-3 overall and 1-0 in the division. Peru State fell to 4-3 as well and are 0-1 in the Heart North.

 
First Quarter Action
 
After forcing the Bobcats to punt on their first possession, WPU took over on their 33-yard line. The Statesmen moved the ball into Bobcat territory where Peru State's defense stopped the Statesmen on the Bobcat 30-yard line. William Penn hit a 47-yard field goal and took an early 3-0 lead with 7:39 left in the first quarter.
 
WPU forced another Bobcat punt on Peru State's next possession and this time took over on their 48-yard line. Seven plays later the Statesmen hit another field goal, this time from 51 yards to lead 6-0 with 3:07 left in the quarter.
 
That would be how the quarter ended.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
With 4:32 left in the second stanza, Collin Weingaertner (Omaha) forced a fumble which was recovered by the Bobcats on WPU's 21-yard line. Unfortunately, Peru State could not move the ball and were forced to attempt a field goal. Gabe Hoins (Papillion) connected on a 36-yard field goal to cut the deficit in half at 6-3 with 2:55 left in the first half.
 

After the kick-off, the Statesmen would fumble again on their second play of the drive which was forced by Trey Carr (Omaha) and recovered by Chris Johnson (Phoenix) on the WPU 27-yard line. Once again, Peru State could not put the ball in the end zone, but Hoins was good from 42 yards out to tie the game at 6-6 with 1:18 left in the second quarter.
 
The half would end in a 6-6 tie.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
The teams would trade possessions in the third quarter with neither team scoring.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
The Bobcats were in Statesmen territory to start the quarter, but the drive stalled on WPU's 30-yard line.
 

William Penn would start a 12-play drive that lasted 6:14 and only had one pass to eventually score the only touchdown of the game. With 7:30 left in the contest, the Statesmen would lead 13-6.
 
Peru State would get a good starting position as Justin Mahon (Bennington) had a fair catch on the Bobcats' 44-yard line. A holding penalty on the second play would move the 'Cats into WPU territory at the 43-yard line. On the third play following the penalty, Eric Morrison-Smith (San Diego) was able to churn out four yards for a first down at the 32-yard line. Once again, the Statesmen defense stiffened forcing another Hoins kick which was good from 49 yards out. With 4:32 left in the game, WPU led 13-9.
 
Peru State's defense, aided by a penalty on WPU, did what they had to do and kept the Statesmen from moving the ball and forced a punt. A short punt set of 20 yards was caught by Jacob Coughlin (Omaha) with a fair catch on WPU's 40-yard line. That was where the 'Cats started their effort to win the game.
 
Larry Hodnett (Riverdale, Ga.) carried for six yards and then followed with a 16-yard run to move the ball into the red zone at the Statesmen 18-yard line. Travis Carnahan (Wahoo) carried it for five yards to the 13-yard line and then Morrison-Smith went for three yards to the 10-yard line. A timeout was called by WPU which was followed by a timeout for Peru State as the teams jockeyed on the fourth and two. The Statesmen came up with a big stop and took over the ball with 37 seconds left to gain the win.

WILLIAM PENN GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
As the statistics will show, it was a defensive battle. WPU had 15 first downs while Peru State had nine. The Statesmen gained 217 yards on the ground and 43 through the air for a total of 260 yards. The Bobcats gained just 126 on the ground and 20 yards passing for a total of 146 yards.

 
Peru State won the turnover battle, but could only score six points off the two fumbles and one interception.
 
The Bobcats had four penalties for 40 yards while WPU was flagged eight times for 89 yards.
 
Offensive Statistics
 
Morrison-Smith gained 53 yards while Carnahan added 40. Hodnett finished the game with 28 yards.
 
Carnahan was one for seven passing for 16 yards while Hoins was one for three for four yards.
 
Coughlin caught one pass for 16 yards while Brandon Fletcher (Maxwell) caught the other for four yards.
 
Special Team Statistics
 
Hoins punted six times averaging 33.5 yards per punt with most into a strong wind. He had two touchbacks. Hoins finished with three field goals of 49, 42, and 36 yards.
 

Defensive Statistics
 
Johnson finished with 12 total tackles – five of which were solo. In addition, he added 1.5 tackles for losses of 1.5 yards and recovered a fumble.
 
Ismael Calvillo (Tucson, Ariz.) added 11 tackles – two solo and had the team's lone sack which resulted in a loss of eight yards. Uriah Carroll (Weston) had ten tackles – four solo.
 
Rashad Baker (Tempe, Ariz.) and Weingaertner each had eight tackles – Baker with three solo and Weingaertner with two solo. Weingaertner was also credited with a forced fumble.
 
Dylan King (Vancouver, Wash.) and Mamoudou Drame (Aubersville, France) each six tackles. King had three solo while Drame had two solo, the interception, and one pass break-up.
 
Upcoming Game
 
Peru State's next game will against Grand View of Des Moines, Iowa, at home beginning at 11 a.m. This will be the ESPN3 game of the week and will also be Peru State's Hall of Fame weekend.
 
The Vikings defeated Graceland (Iowa) on Saturday 38-14 to improve to 6-1 overall and 1-0 in the Heart North. Grand View entered the weekend ranked seventh in the NAIA.