(Peru, Neb.) – The Peru State Bobcat football team opened their 2016 campaign in a similar fashion as they did in 2015. The 'Cats handed Central Methodist (CMU) a 39-14 loss in Fayette, Mo., Saturday night. Last year, Peru State topped the Eagles 48-17 in the season opener in Peru.
 
And like last year, the Bobcats did most of their damage on the ground as Peru State pounded out 392 yards rushing while finishing with a total of 478 yards in offense.
 
First Quarter Action
 
CMU won the toss and decided to take the ball first. After a decent kickoff return, the Eagles offense was held to a three-and-out by the Bobcats.

 
A 19-yard punt return by Trey Carr (Omaha) was brought back by an illegal block in the back penalty forcing Peru State to start their first dive on their own 23-yard line. The Bobcats' first first down of 2016 came when Travis Carnahan (Wahoo) connected with AJ Flodman (Hickman) for seven yards on a third down with four yards to go. On the next play Colton Audsley (Prescott Valley, Ariz.) scampered for 13 yards and another first down.
 
On the tenth play of the 'Cats first possession, Eric Morrison-Smith (San Diego, Calif.) went 27 yards and was stopped short of the goal-line at the two-yard line. Morrison-Smith carried for one yard, but then the Bobcats had a false start penalty to move them back to the six-yard line. On the next play, Morrison-Smith took it in for Peru State's first touchdown of the season at the 8:06 mark in the first quarter. The Bobcats' point-after try was blocked, but Peru State led 6-0 at that point.
 
The Eagles did manage one first down on their next possession, but Peru State forced another punt. The Bobcats took over on their own 38-yard line with 6:01 left in the quarter.
 
The 'Cats moved the ball down to the 13-yard line of the Eagles before being forced to kick a field goal. Gabe Hoins (Papillion) came through from 30 yards out and with 2:10 left on the clock, Peru State led 9-0. That was how the first quarter ended.

 
Second Quarter Action
 
CMU did score on a drive started in the first quarter. Three plays into the second quarter, the Eagles scored on a three-yard rushing touchdown. The PAT was good and CMU had cut Peru State's lead to two at 9-7.
 
Larry Hodnett (Riverdale, Ga.) took the Eagle kickoff back 29 yards allowing the Bobcats to start their third possession on their own 35-yard line. Three rushing first downs, which included an 18-yard run by Carnahan and a 27-yard run by Audsley moved Peru State into CMU's red zone. Carnahan would eventually take the ball into the end zone on a four-yard run with 9:51 left in the half. Hoins' PAT was good and Peru State now led 16-7.
 
The Bobcat defense came up stout again and forced another three-and-out. After an 11-yard punt return by Darius Finley (Roanoke, Ala.), Peru State started their fourth possession on their 38-yard line. After a short gain by Carnahan, Audsley took a pitch from the quarterback and went 57 yards for a touchdown. The PAT by Hoins was good and Peru State led 23-7 with 8:03 left in the half.
 
The teams traded possessions with the half ending with the Bobcats leading 23-7.

 
Third Quarter Action
 
Peru State got the ball to start the second half and drove it down the field to score in eight plays. The drive was capped off with a touchdown pass from Carnahan to Audsley for 24 yards. The PAT was not good, but the Bobcats led 29-7 with 11:42 remaining in the third stanza.
 
CMU did score on their next possession on a 14-yard quarterback keeper. The PAT was good with the Eagles still trailing 29-14 with 5:41 left in the third.
 
Starting on their own 25-yard line after a touchback, the 'Cats put together another drive to score. The highlight of the drive was a Carnahan pass to Jacob Coughlin (Omaha) for 33 yards on the third play of the possession. Morrison-Smith took the ball into the end zone from five yards out for the score. Hoins' PAT was good this time and Peru State led 36-14 with 1:23 to go in the third.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
The only scoring in the fourth quarter was after Peru State's second drive of the stanza stalled on CMU's seven-yard line. Hoins hit a 24-yard field goal with 6:21 left in the game. At that point, Peru State led 39-14.
 
Neither team could put together another drive and the Bobcats gained their first win of the season over the Eagles.

CENTRAL METHODIST GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
Peru State had 25 first downs compared to CMU's 16. The Bobcats gained 392 on the ground and 86 through the air for 478 total. The 'Cats held the Eagles to 238 total yards – 96 on the ground and 142 passing.
 
Neither team fumbled or had an interception.
 
The time of possession was in Peru State's favor as the Bobcats had the ball for over 33 minutes.
 
Offensive Statistics
 
Audsley had a game-high 119 yards on the ground on just seven carries with one touchdown. Carnahan added 95 yards on 19 carries and one touchdown. Morrison-Smith finished with 88 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns. Hodnett added 85 yards on ten carries.

 
Carnahan went 7 of 10 passing for 86 yards and one touchdown. His offensive line protected him as he was only sacked once.
 
Coughlin and Flodman each caught two passes. Audsley, Morrison-Smith, and David Bond (New Port Richey, Fla.) each had one pass reception.
 
Special Team Statistics
 
Hoins punted three times while averaging 40.7 yards. He went two for two in field goals of 24 and 30 yards.
 
Carr had two punt returns for 19 yards while Finley added one for 11. Hodnett had one kickoff return for 29 yards.
 
Defensive Statistics
 
Ryan Zuhlke (Sterling) had his most productive game in a Bobcat uniform as he led the team with seven total tackles – five of which were solo. Stephen Bowers (LaVista) add six tackles – three solo. Bowers also had 1.5 sacks for 6.5 yards and 2.5 tackles for losses of 8.5 yards.

 
Gunnar Orcutt (Omaha) had six assisted tackles while Riley McKay (St. Joseph, Mo.) and Rashad Baker (Tempe, Ariz.) each finished with five total tackles. McKay had three solo tackles and had one pass break-up. Baker had one sack for a loss of six yards and two tackles for losses of 12 yards.
 
Upcoming Game
 
Peru State will host Evangel (Mo.) next Saturday night at 6 p.m. The Crusaders were handed a 35-3 loss at the hands of Benedictine (Kan.) at home in Springfield, Mo. Last season, Evangel surprised the Bobcats with a 25-20 win.
 
Saturday's game will include the annual Swenson Award presentation at halftime of the game. In addition, the Millard North twirlers will perform a routine after the Swenson presentation.