(Peru, Neb.) – Another week of turnovers proved to be costly for the Peru State football team as they were stung by the Graceland Yellowjackets Saturday 38-16.
 
Graceland took advantage of four Bobcat turnovers en route to their second win in the Heart North Division. The Yellowjackets are 2-1 in the Heart North and 4-5 overall. Peru State fell to 4-5 overall and are winless in the Heart North at 0-3.
 
The 'Cats were missing numerous starters due to injuries which compounded the challenge Graceland presented.

 
First Quarter Action
 
The Bobcats forced Graceland to punt after one first down in their first possession. After the Bobcats had a first down in their first possession, they had a fumble which the Yellowjackets recovered at Peru State's 34-yard line.
 
Eight plays later, Graceland kicked a 32-yard field goal and led 3-0 with 6:23 left in the quarter.
 
The teams traded possessions and on Peru State's first play of their third possession, the Bobcats coughed up a fumble which Graceland recovered on the two-yard line. The Yellowjackets tried one attempt to get into the end zone but did not before the quarter ended.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
On the first play of the second quarter, Graceland scored on a one-yard run. With the point after, the Yellowjackets led 10-0 with 14:54 left in the half.
 
Later in the quarter, Graceland intercepted a Peru State pass and went in 65 yards for a touchdown. With the PAT, the Yellowjackets led 17-0 with 5:21 remaining in the first half.
 
On the ensuing kickoff Jacob Coughlin (Omaha) returned the ball 15 yards to start the next Peru State drive on their 25-yard line. After a loss of two yards on the first two rushing plays, Warren Johnson, Jr. (Severn, Md.) found Sean Van Briesen (Papillion) on a pass that went for 27 yards. After a short rushing attempt and an incomplete pass, Justin Haystrand (New Port Richey, Fla.) rushed for seven yards for the Bobcats' second first down of the drive and were now at Graceland's 39-yard line. On third and six, Haystrand went 23 yards down to the Yellowjacket 12-yard line. On second and nine, Eric Morrison-Smith (San Diego) gained eight yards putting the ball on the three-yard line. Morrison-Smith picked up the first down with a one-yard run and then scored on the next play going in from two yards out. The PAT was no good and Graceland still led 17-6 with 22 seconds left in the half.

 
Third Quarter Action
 
Haystrand was able to get a first down on Peru State's first play of the second half, but then was forced to punt four plays later.
 
The Yellowjackets would get three first downs in their first drive of the second half, but with second and two on their 39-yard line, Graceland fumbled and Brandon Fletcher (Maxwell) recovered it. Peru State would start their second possession on the Yellowjacket 41-yard line.
 
After consecutive losses of two yards, Johnson Jr. found Morrison-Smith for ten yards and the Bobcats were aided with a personal foul penalty on Graceland. The penalty moved the ball down to the 20 yard-line. After three short rushing attempts, Gabe Hoins (Papillion) hit a 30-yard field goal with 5:00 left in the third. Peru State then trailed 17-9.
 
Graceland would run out the rest of the quarter without scoring.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
On the fifth play of the final quarter, Graceland attempted a 48-yard field goal and missed wide right.

 
The Bobcats could not do anything on their first possession and had to punt to the Yellowjackets. Three plays later, Graceland would score and with the PAT, the Yellowjackets led 24-9 with 11:32 left in the game.
 
Peru State would start their next possession on their 25-yard line and were able to move the ball. Coughlin gained 15 yards on the first play and then James Sluka (Milligan) ran another 11 yards and the 'Cats were in Graceland territory at their 49-yard line. After a fumble recovery, Peru State had another fumble which they recovered after a seven-yard gain. Morrison-Smith gained three yards for another first down. Johnson Jr. then found Coughlin for a 25-yard pass play which took the ball into the red zone at the 14-yard line. After a good six-yard gain, Peru State fumbled and turned the ball over on the Yellowjacket eight-yard line.
 
It took only four plays for Graceland to capitalize on Peru State's turnover and with the PAT, the Yellowjackets now led 31-9 with 6:17 left in the game.
 
The Bobcats would start their next drive on their 25-yard line and Johnson Jr. completed three straight passes – a five-yard pass to Coughlin, a ten-yard pass to Van Briesen, and then a 59-yard pass to Coughlin who was brought down at the one-yard line. After the first try to get into the end zone, Johnson Jr. carried one yard out to score. The Hoins point after attempt was good and the 'Cats trailed 31-16 with 4:07 left.
 
Peru State tried an onside kick and bounces went just right for the Yellowjackets as they picked it up and went 50 yards for a score. With the point after, Graceland led 38-16 which would be the final score.

GRACELAND GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics

 
Ironically, the team statistics were fairly close, similar to last week. Graceland had 19 first downs while Peru State had 17. The Yellowjackets finished with 362 total yards while the 'Cats finished with 307. Peru State gained 151 yards on the ground and 156 through the air.
 
The big difference in the contest was the turnovers. Peru State's four turnovers resulted in 24 points for the Yellowjackets.
 
Offensive Statistics
 
The Bobcats struggled with their running game and did not have anyone over 50 yards in rushing. Haystrand led the team with 49 yards rushing on six carries while Sluka added 33 yards on six carries.
 
Johnson Jr. was 8 of 14 passing for 156 yards and one interception.
 
Coughlin caught four passes for 97 yards while Van Briesen added two for 37 yards. Dwight Butler (Rabun Gap, Ga.) caught one pass for 12 yards while Morrison-Smith added one for ten yards.
 
Special Team Statistics
 
Hoins punted five times averaging 45.0 yards per punt with two landing within the 20-yard line.
 
Coughlin had one kickoff return for 15 yards while Trey Carr (Omaha) had one for 12 yards. Angel Gonzalez (Prescott Valley, Ariz.) had one return for 11 yards.
 
Hoins kicked one field goal which was good from 30 yards out.
 
Defensive Statistics
 
Fletcher finished the game as Peru State's leading tackler with seven tackles – three solo. Fletcher also had a fumble recovery.

 
Mamoudou Drame (Aubersville, France), Gunnar Orcutt (Omaha), and Stephen Bowers (Papillion) each finished with six tackles. Drame had three solo while Orcutt had one solo. Bowers was credited with 0.5 tackle for a loss of 0.5 yards.
 
Justin Barnes (Tallahassee, Fla.) and Uriah Carroll (Weston) each had five tackles – one solo each. Barnes also had 0.5 tackle for a loss of 0.5 yards.
 
Upcoming Game
 
The Bobcats will host Culver-Stockton (Mo.) this coming Saturday in their final home game of the season. The battle of the 'Cats will begin at 1 p.m. Presently, the Wildcats are 1-8 overall and 0-3 in the Heart North. They lost 90-0 to Grand View on Saturday.
 
It will be Senior Day for Peru State with 14 seniors being honored prior to the start of the game.