(Peru, Neb.) – The Peru State football team held on for a 30-28 victory in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday over Avila at the Zarda Multisport Complex. It was a penalty-filled contest with the two teams combining for 260 yards in penalties.
 
With the win, Peru State improved to 3-0 while the Eagles fell to 0-3.
 
First Quarter Action
 
Avila had the first possession of the quarter and took the ball down to Peru State's 22-yard where they attempted a 39-yard field goal. Ryan Zuhlke (Sterling) blocked the attempt and the 'Cats took over at that point.

 
On the Bobcats' first possession, they moved the ball down to the Eagles' 14-yard line where they were forced to try a 31-yard field goal. Gabe Hoins (Papillion) nailed the try and put Peru State up 3-0.
 
It was a defensive battle the rest of the first quarter as the period ended 3-0.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
Trey Carr (Omaha) intercepted a pass to start the second quarter giving the Bobcats a great starting position on the 50-yard line. However, the 'Cats were forced to punt.
 
Peru State forced another three-and-out with Carr returning the punt for 15 yards to the Avila 24-yard line. Seven rushes later, Travis Carnahan (Wahoo) went in from one yard out to score with 7:31 left in the half. Hoins' PAT was good and Peru State led 10-0.

 
After holding the Eagles to just one first down on their next possession, the 'Cats took over in Avila territory at the 44-yard line. Peru State again rushed seven straight times and this time, Eric Morrison-Smith (San Diego, Calif.) went in from three yards out for the score. Hoins' point after was good and the Bobcats led 17-0.
 
Peru State kept Avila from scoring on their next possession and went into the half leading 17-0.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
The Bobcats had the ball to start the second half and had the ball for over seven minutes, but came up short. An unsportsmanlike penalty forced a field goal which was no good.
 
Peru State did force an Eagle punt on their first possession, but on the second play of the Bobcats' drive, the 'Cats coughed up a fumble. Two plays later, Avila scored on a 15-yard pass. With 3:40 left in the third, Peru State still led 17-7.
 
AJ Flodman (Hickman) returned the kickoff for 30 yards and an unsportsmanlike call on Avila moved the Bobcats out to their 49-yard line. After seven rushing attempts, Carnahan found Larry Hodnett (Riverdale, Ga.) for a 29-yard touchdown pass. Hoins' PAT was good and the Bobcats led 24-7.

 
That would be how the quarter ended.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
After one play at the end of the third quarter, Avila moved the ball down the field while primarily using a passing offense. The Eagles scored on a 14-yard pass play, but the PAT was no good. With 12:29 left in the game, Avila trailed 24-13.
 
Avila would force the Bobcats to punt on their next possession and got the ball back starting on their 48-yard line. After a chop block was called, the Eagles put together an 11-play drive with ten plays being passes. The last pass was a 15-yard touchdown reception. The Eagles went for two and made it to cut the lead to 24-21 with 8:28 left in the game.
 
Peru State started their next possession on their 21-yard line. The Bobcats would put together a ten-play drive – all rushes and would score when Hodnett went in from ten yards out. The point after was no good, but the 'Cats led 30-21 with 4:11 left.
 
The Eagles started their next drive on their 27-yard line. Again, Avila took to the air and after seven plays, the Eagles scored. With the PAT being good, Avila trailed by two, 30-28 with 2:49 left in the contest.

 
Peru State managed to get a couple of first downs in their final possession to run out the clock for the 30-28 win.

AVILA GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
Avila actually had more first downs than the Bobcats finishing with 26 compared to Peru State's 25. The Bobcats did outgain the hosts 388 to 325 while getting 329 of those yards on the ground and 59 through the air.
 
The 'Cats easily held the time of possession in the game.
 
As noted in the opening paragraph, both teams had many penalties. Peru State was flagged 12 times for 144 yards, which is uncharacteristic for the Bobcats, while the Eagles had nine penalties for 116 yards.
 
Offensive Statistics
 

Morrison-Smith led Peru State with 126 yards on the ground on 32 carries and scored one touchdown. Hodnett added 86 yards on ten carries and one touchdown. Carnahan gained 84 yards rushing on 16 carries with one touchdown.
 
Carnahan finished four of seven passing for 59 yards with a touchdown toss to Hodnett for 29 yards.
 
Coughlin had the other three receptions for 30 yards.
 
Special Team Statistics
 
Hoins punted four times averaging 42.3 yards per punt with one touchback and one inside the 20-yard line.
 
Carr had two punt returns for 15 yards. Flodman had two kickoff returns for 30 yards. Sean Van Briesen (Papillion) had one for 31 yards while Chance Baumann (Beatrice) added one for 12 yards.
 
Hoins made one field goal of 31 yards.

 
Defensive Stats
 
Chris Johnson (Phoenix) had nine tackles – five of which were solo. Johnson added one sack for seven yards and had 1.5 tackles for losses of 9.5 yards. Brandon Fletcher (Maxwell) finished with six solo tackles.
 
Justin Barnes (Tallahassee, Fla.) finished with six tackles – four solo and had two tackles for losses of three yards. Gunnar Orcutt (Omaha) added five tackles – two solo and also had one tackle for a loss of two yards. Ryan Zuhlke (Sterling) had four tackles – three solo and blocked a field goal.
 
Rashad Baker (Tempe, Ariz.), Michael Bullard (Rabun Gap, Ga.), and Ismael Calvillo (Tucson, Ariz.) each had four tackles – two solo. Baker had two pass break ups while Bullard had three pass break ups.
 
Next Game
 
The Bobcats will host Missouri Valley next Saturday in the Oak Bowl at 1 p.m. The Vikings topped 15^th- ranked Benedictine 16-10 in Marshall, Mo., on Saturday to improve to 3-0. Mo Valley is also 3-0 on the season and had been receiving votes. Look for the Vikings to move into Top 25 this week as they have started the season with wins over two previously-ranked teams.
 
At halftime, the Peru State athletic department will recognize the student-athletes from the winter and spring sports who receive athletic and/or academic honors.