(Peru, Neb.) – When you are playing the 24^th-ranked team in the NAIA and you out-gain the opponents 485 to 283, you would expect to have a good chance of winning. However, when you have six turnovers in the same game, the chances of winning are slimmer. That was the case Saturday in Atchison, Kan., as Peru State had six turnovers and lost 34-25 to Benedictine.
 
With the win, the Ravens improved to 7-4 overall and 3-2 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) North Division. Peru State finished its season 5-6 overall and 1-4 in the Heart North.
 
First Quarter Action
 
The Bobcat defense forced a Benedictine punt on the Ravens' first series of the game. Peru State started its first possession of the game on their own 47-yard line. On the Bobcats' first play of the drive, James Sluka (Milligan) scampered 35 yards down to the Ravens' 18-yard line. Sean Van Briesen (Papillion) then carried for five yards to set up a second and five. On a quarterback keeper Dan Boshart (Wood River) took the ball for 11 yards down to the Benedictine two-yard line. It took two carries, but Van Briesen was able to score on the second carry for the first score of the game. Gabe Hoins (Papillion) hit the point after and with 11:58 to go in the quarter, Peru State led 7-0.

 
On Benedictine's second possession of the game, the Ravens only needed four plays to go 72 yards to score and tie it up at 7-7 with 10:25 left in the quarter.
 
Peru State started their second drive on their 22-yard line. Justin Haystrand (New Port Richey, Fla.) gained 14 yards on the first play. After a six-yard gain by Van Briesen, the Bobcats fumbled on the next play and the Ravens recovered the fumble and went to the end zone on the play. With the PAT, Benedictine now led 14-7 with 9:08 remaining in the first quarter.
 
The Bobcats would cough the ball up again on their next possession which the Ravens recovered in Peru State territory at the 15-yard line. It did take Benedictine five plays to score. Luis Constantino (Varzea Grande, Brazil) blocked the PAT, but the Ravens now led 20-7 with 8:31 left and that would be the way the quarter ended.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
On Peru State's second drive in the quarter, Boshart hit Haystrand for 18 yards to move the ball into Benedictine territory at the 37-yard line. After a short gain on first down, Sluka went for 15 yards down to the Ravens' 19-yard line. Three more rushing plays would give the 'Cats a first down at the nine-yard line before Sluka went in for the score. Hoins' PAT was no good and Peru State now trailed 20-13.

 
The teams would trade possessions, two of which were exchanged with turnovers. Peru State would eventually get the ball on their 24-yard line with 2:51 left in the half. After an incomplete pass and a gain of one yard, the 'Cats would get a gift from the Ravens as a personal foul was whistled on Benedictine. Boshart would then find Jacob Coughlin (Omaha) for 14 yards. Coughlin did fumble, but recovered the ball after moving back ten yards. Boshart then found Sluka for a 40-yard pass play to move the ball into the red zone at Benedictine's 15-yard line. After getting first down at the five-yard line, Peru State was not able to punch it in and settled for a 20-yard field goal by Hoins as the half ended. After the first 30 minutes, the Ravens led 20-16.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
On Peru State's second possession of the quarter, the Ravens intercepted a pass to stall the Bobcat drive in Raven territory at the 32-yard line. Benedictine took advantage of this turnover and put together a 12-play, 79 yard drive to go back out by 11 at 27-16 with 5:39 left in the quarter.
 
Neither team would score the rest of the quarter.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
After Boshart ended the third quarter with a 12-yard run, on second and ten, Boshart again gained ten yards to move the ball to the Raven 26-yard line. Benedictine's defense stiffened at that point which forced Hoins to kick a 36-yard field goal. With 12:39 left in the game, Peru State had pulled back within a score at 27-19.

 
Benedictine came back on the next series and went 75 yards on five plays to make it a two possession game leading 34-19 with 10:36 remaining.
 
After the teams traded possession, the Bobcats took over on their 20-yard line with around seven minutes remaining. Sluka took the first play for 58 yards down to the Ravens' 22-yard line. On third and ten, Boshart found David Bond (New Port Richey, Fla.) for 12 yards moving the ball to the 10-yard line. After a seven-yard run by Van Briesen, a personal foul was called on the Ravens. Van Briesen would go in from three yards out for the score. Peru State tried for two, but it was not good. With 5:21 left, Benedictine led 34-25.
 
The Bobcats would get the ball back as they recovered a fumble on the Ravens' 39-yard line. However, on the second play by Peru State, the 'Cats would return the favor with a fumble.
 
Peru State would again get the ball back, but with 43 seconds left, Boshart was picked off and the Ravens would go into the victory formation to secure their seventh win of the year.

BENEDICTINE GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
If you look at the first part of the statistics, the Bobcats clearly would appear to have won the game. Peru State had 26 first downs while the Ravens finished with 15. The Bobcats rushed for 360 yards in the game against one of the NAIA's stingiest run defenses. Peru State also had more yards passing – 125 to 122 – and out-gained the Ravens 485 to 283.
 
But, the 'Cats lost the turnover battle as they fumbled five times losing four and threw two interceptions. The Ravens also had trouble hanging onto the ball as they had three fumbles and an interception, but the key was Benedictine scored off four of Peru State's turnovers.
 
Offensive Statistics
 

Sluka had a career-high 158 yards rushing on nine carries and one touchdown on the ground. Van Briesen gained 87 yards on 26 carries and had two touchdowns. Boshart added 69 yards.
 
Boshart was 11 of 22 passing for 125 yards and two interceptions.
 
Coughlin caught four passes for 34 yards while Van Briesen had three receptions for 21 yards. Sluka, Haystrand, Bond, and Dwight Butler (Rabun Gap, Ga.) each caught one pass.
 
Special Teams Statistics
 
Hoins punted three times averaging 37.3 yards per punt. He added two field goals to his year's total of 36 and 20 yards.
 
Warren Johnson Jr. ad two punt returns for 17 yards and three kickoff returns for 33 yards. Coughlin had one punt return for 20 yards. Bond had two kickoff returns for 31 yards while Trey Carr (Omaha) had one kickoff return for 14 yards.
 
Defensive Statistics
 
Rashad Baker (Tempe) had another good game as he finished with 11 tackles – six solo. Baker added two sacks for losses of 20 yards and finished with 5.5 tackles for losses of 29 yards. He also had a fumble recovery, one pass break-up, and forced another fumble.
 
Mamoudou Drame (Aubersville, France) added eight tackles – two solo. Brandon Fletcher (Maxwell) and Collin Weingaertner (Omaha) each finished with six tackles. Fletcher had five solo and also forced a fumble. Weingaertner was credited for a tackle for a loss and broke up a pass.
 
Dylan King (Vancouver, Wash.) and Ismael Calvillo (Tucson, Ariz.) each finished with five tackles with King having two solo. Both added a fumble recovery.
 
Carr finished with an interception.
 
Season Completed
 
Peru State will lose 12 seniors off this squad, but was a young team so will return a number of players with a tremendous amount of playing experience for the 2017 season.