(Peru, Neb.) – After losing back-to-back years to William Penn (WPU) by three and four points, the Peru State Bobcats came up with a three-point win of their own on Saturday 17-14. The 'Cats scored 17 unanswered points after trailing 14-0 in the second quarter to gain their fifth win of the season.
 
With the win, Peru State improved to 5-3 overall and 1-1 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference North Division. The Statesmen now have the exact same records.
 
This was the first time since the Statesmen joined the conference that the Bobcats were able to get a win over William Penn.

 
First Quarter Action
 
Neither team scored in the first quarter, but the Statesmen had their first possession stall at the Bobcat 13-yard line as Mardarius Adams (Lakeland, Fla.) forced a fumble which was recovered by Justin Barnes (Tallahassee, Fla.) with 9:44 left in the quarter.
 
After the Bobcats gave up the ball on their next possession on their 31-yard line as the wind caught the Peru State punt, William Penn took over with 7:52 left in the quarter. The Statesmen had 14 consecutive plays that were rushing and Peru State worked hard to keep them out of the end zone.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
On the first play of the second quarter, William Penn through their first pass of the drive for a four-yard touchdown. Their PAT was good and the Statesmen led 7-0 with 14:54 left in the half.
 
Peru State did move the ball on their next possession, but could only move it to WPU's 29-yard line where the drive stalled as a fourth and ten pass went incomplete.
 
The Bobcat defense forced a three and out on the Statesmen's next drive, but after a 35-yard punt return by Peru State ended with a fumble which was recovered by William Penn. It only took the Statesmen two rushing plays and they found pay dirt for their second and what would be last score of the game. After the PAT went through the uprights, WPU led 14-0.
 
After a 19-yard kickoff return by A.J. Flodman (Hickman), the Bobcats started their drive on their 31-yard line. On fourth and eight, the 'Cats were aided on a personal foul to give them new life. After a four-yard rushing loss, Travis Carnahan (Wahoo) found Sean Van Briesen (Papillion) for a 15-yard pass play moving the ball down to William Penn's 41-yard line. Another flag on the Statesmen moved the ball 15 yards closer to the end zone. Derren Pass (Naples, Fla.) went 11 yards for another first down and the 'Cats were in the red zone at WPU's 15-yard line. Peru State was able to get another first down, but what looked like a touchdown two plays later was ruled short of the goal line by the officials. After a Peru State timeout, the Bobcats were whistled for a false start which eventually forced them to try a field goal. John Brady (Hickman) was able to put the ball through the uprights from 21 yards out to make it 14-3 at halftime.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
William Penn would have the ball for the first 7:20 of the third quarter, but their drive stalled after 14 plays on Peru State's 28-yard line.
Justin Haystrand (Port Richey, Fla.) had a nine-yard gain which was followed by back-to-back ten-yard gains by Van Briesen which moved the ball into WPU territory at the 43-yard line. On fourth and one, Van Briesen came up with a big four yards to get the first down at the Statesmen 30-yard line. Carnahan would find Flodman for a 30-yard touchdown pass with 3:51 left in the third quarter. Brady's PAT was good and it was now 14-10 in favor of William Penn.
 
The Statesmen would start their possession and did move the ball into Bobcat territory, but eventually were forced to punt after six plays into the fourth quarter.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
Peru State took the ball with 12:17 left in the game, but could not sustain their drive. After one first down, the 'Cats punted and again had a short punt. William Penn took over on the Bobcats' 39-yard line.
 
On the first play for the Statesmen, Ismael Calvillo (Tucson, Ariz.) and Andrew Shackelford (Parrish, Fla.) teamed up for a 19-yard tackle for a loss moving WPU back into their territory at the 42-yard line. After a short gain, Calvillo came through with another tackle for a loss of seven yards forcing the Statesmen to punt.
After a fair catch, Peru State started their possession on their 20-yard line with 6:56 left in the contest. Van Briesen carried the ball three straight times – the first for 11 yards and first down, the second for eight yards, and the third for four yards and another first down to the Bobcats' 43-yard line. On fourth and one, Van Briesen again came up with four hard-fought yards for a first down and Peru State was at WPU's 44-yard line. Later, on third and 13, Carnahan found Jake Coughlin (Omaha) for 13 yards and a first down at the Statesmen 34-yard line. On the next play, the two hooked up for a 34-yard touchdown pass. Brady's PAT was good and the 'Cats now led 17-14 with 2:02 remaining in the game.
 
The Bobcat defense was able to shut down the Statesmen after they had excellent starting field position with a 39-yard kickoff return. When it appeared the Bobcats had it in control, on the second play of the possession, Peru State had a 24-yard gain, but lost a fumble at the end of the run.
 
William Penn had another opportunity and took over with 1:19 left in the game on their 33-yard line. After two uncatchable passes, the Statesmen connected for a 23-yard gain and moved to the Bobcats' 44-yard line. On the next play, they had another 14-yard gain to the 30-yard line. With time running short, WPU went to the air again and Adams came up with an interception on the 17-yard line. Peru State was able to just kneel down to earn the 17-14 win.

WILLIAM PENN GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
As the score would indicate, the statistics would be close. The biggest different in the stats was that Peru State had 62 more yards through the air.
 
The Bobcats had 18 first downs compared to 15 for WPU. The Statesmen finished with 152 yards on the ground while Peru State had 149. The 'Cats had 103 yards passing compared to 41 for William Penn. Peru State finished with 252 total yards while holding the Statesmen to just 193.
 
Both teams had some hard hits which forced fumbles. Peru State lost three fumbles while the Statesmen lost one. The Bobcats did pick off one pass which helped seal the game.
 
William Penn had seven penalties for 70 yards while Peru State played one of cleanest games of the year as they only had two flags for ten yards.
 
Offensive Statistics
 
Van Briesen led all backs with 117 yards on 22 carries. He was the only Bobcat with more than 30 yards rushing.
 
Carnahan went five for nine for 103 yards passing and had two touchdowns.
 
Coughlin caught two passes for 47 yards and one touchdown. Van Briesen caught two passes for 26 yards to finish with 143 yards of total offense. Flodman's lone catch of 30 yards went for a touchdown.
 
Special Teams Statistics
 
Alec McClendon (Pampa, Texas) had just two punts and was bothered by the strong winds as he averaged just 15 yards per kick.
 
Flodman had two kickoff returns for a total of 54 yards.
 
Brady had a field goal of 21 yards and averaged 57.8 yards on four kick-offs which included one touchback.
Defensive Statistics
 
Barnes, Calvillo, Collin Weingaertner (Omaha), and Myles Hicks (Independence, Mo.) all had their season-best games to date with Barnes, Calvillo, and Hicks having their career-best efforts for overall defensive statistics.
 
Barnes finished with a career-high 12 tackles – three solo and added a fumble recovery. Calvillo had his second-straight ten-tackle game with three solo tackles. Calvillo also had one sack for a loss of seven yards and had 2.5 tackles for losses of 23.5 yards.
 
Weingaertner also finished with ten tackles – three solo and added one tackle for a loss of one yard. Hicks had nine tackles – two solo for his career-best effort.
 
Stephen Bowers (Papillion) added seven tackles – five solo. Adams finished with five total tackles – four solo and had four tackles for losses of 21 yards, one interception, and two forced fumbles.
 
Victor Hubbard (Corinth, Texas), Ismael Riggins (Sulligent, Ala.), and Max Smith (Crete) each finished with five tackles. Two of Hubbard's tackles were solo.
 
Upcoming Game
 
It is Homecoming Week for Peru State. Their opponent on Oct. 28 will be Graceland (Iowa). The Yellowjackets were defeated Saturday 61-9 by the sixth-ranked Grand View Vikings at home. Graceland is 1-7 overall and is now 0-2 in the Heart North.