(Peru, Neb.) – It was a great Nebraska evening in the historic Oak Bowl on the Peru State campus. What made it even better was the fact that the Bobcats scored early and often in route to a 40-20 win over Central Methodist (CMU) (Mo.) Saturday night.
 
With the win, the 'Cats improve to 2-0 on the young season while the Eagles fell to 1-1.
 
First Quarter Action
 
Peru State won the coin toss and deferred to the second half forcing CMU to take the field first. The Bobcat defense did what it was supposed to do and forced a three and out.
 
The 'Cats started their first drive on their 45-yard line. After two short runs, Travis Carnahan (Wahoo) got the first first down of the game with a nine-yard quarterback keeper. The second first down came in the same fashion as Carnahan picked that one up with an eight-yard gain. That put the ball on the Eagles' 33-yard line. A nice seven-yard gain by Colton Audsley (Prescott Valley, Ariz.) was followed by a false start making it second and eight on CMU's 31-yard line. On the next play, Sean Van Briesen (Papillion) took the ball to the end zone for the 31-yard score. John Brady's (Hickman) point after was good to give the Bobcats a 7-0 lead with 9:04 left in the first quarter.

 
The rest of the first quarter was a defensive battle as it ended 7-0 Peru State.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
In Peru State's first full series in the second quarter, the Bobcats started on CMU's 47-yard line after a 12-yard punt return by A.J. Flodman (Hickman). After two short gains, the 'Cats called a time out. Another short game made it fourth and three and the Bobcats decided to go for it. And go for it they did. Carnahan went back to pass and was able connect with Jake Coughlin (Omaha) for a 40-yard touchdown pass. Brady's PAT was good and with 10:42 left in the first half, Peru State led 14-0.
 
CMU would move the ball on Peru State on their next possession and had it down to the Bobcats' 28-yard line. On the next play, Darius Finley (Roanoke, Ala.) intercepted an Eagle pass and the 'Cats took over on their 20-yard line.
 
After gaining six yards on their first two plays, Peru State was aided by a personal foul penalty called on CMU for a first down. On the next play, James Sluka (Milligan) went around the outside for 14 yards and another first down moving the ball into CMU territory at the 45-yard line. Audsley followed with a 12 yard run of his own for another first down after which the Eagles were flagged for another personal foul. Suddenly, the 'Cats were in the red zone at the 18-yard line. Van Briesen was able to find the end zone on the next play and Peru State now led 20-0 as the PAT failed with 2:10 left in the half.
 
The Eagles did get two first downs on their next possession, but eventually a sack by JaMartae Brown (Portland, Ore.) forced CMU to punt.
 
Peru State would take the ball on their 16-yard line with 51 seconds left and decided to not just run out the clock. After a nine-yard run by Tajh Eaddy (Spencerport, N.Y.), Carnahan found Derren Pass for a 29-yard completion and the Bobcats were in CMU territory at the 46-yard line. A short run was followed by a 14-yard gain by Carnahan and now Peru State was at CMU's 26-yard line with little time on the clock. After a Bobcat timeout, Carnahan and Coughlin connected again for a touchdown pass as time ran out. Even though the PAT was no good, the 'Cats took a 26-0 lead into the halftime break.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
The Bobcats opened the second half with the ball, but could not move it. An excellent 50-yard punt by Alec McClendon (Pampa, Texas) pinned CMU on their nine-yard line. However, the Eagles did put together a seven-play 91-yard drive to score their first points of the game. Their PAT failed and the score was 26-6 with 9:25 left in the third quarter.
 
After starting on their 35-yard line, the Bobcats wasted no time on getting back on the board. After Carnahan went for 11 yards and first down, Eaddy went 54 yards to score. Brady's kick was good and the 'Cats were back out on top 33-6 with 8:31 remaining in the quarter.

 
After forcing a punt by the Eagles which only went five yards, Peru State took over on the CMU 27-yard line. DeOndrae Mayo (Ocala, Fla.) went 11 yards on the first play to move into the red zone. Another gain by Mayo was this time nullified by a holding penalty. On third and seven, new quarterback Dan Boshart (Wood River) found David Bond (New Port Richey, Fla.) for a 12-yard gain which stopped just short of the goal line. Boshart then handed it off to Mayo who went in from one-yard out with 4:13 left in the period. Brady's kick was good and at that point, Peru State led 40-6.
 
That would be how the quarter ended in the Oak Bowl.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
CMU had started a drive at the end of the quarter and was on Peru State's 26-yard line before their drive stalled.
 
On Peru State's next possession, the Eagles were able to force a fumble and scored on the recovery. Their kick was good and with 13:41 left in the game, it was Peru State 40-13.
 
The Bobcats did gain a couple of first downs on their next possession, but lost a fumble when on CMU's 11-yard line. The Eagles would take over and put together a seven-play, 89-yard drive to put their final points on the board.

CENTRAL METHODIST GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
Peru State finished with 20 first downs compared to 16 for the Eagles. The Bobcats had another solid rushing game as they finished with 309 net yards while allowing CMU to gain 192. The Eagles did put up 156 yards through the air while Peru State had 107. Total yardage went to the 'Cats – 416 yards to 348.
 
Both teams coughed up the ball as the Bobcats had three fumbles and lost all three. Peru State did intercept an Eagle pass and also recovered one fumble.
 
The teams each had fewer penalties than the previous week's games. Peru State was penalized seven times for 61 yards while CMU had six flags for 50 yards.
 
Offensive Statistics
 
Eight Bobcats carried the ball for the 309 net yards. Mayo finished with 75 yards on ten carries and one touchdown while Van Briesen had nine rushes for 74 yards and two touchdowns. Eaddy carried the pigskin five times for 66 yards and one score.
 
Carnahan went three for five passing for 95 yards and two scores. Boshart was one for one for 12 yards.

 
Coughlin caught the two touchdown passes for a total of 66 yards. Pass and Bond each caught one pass for 29 yards and 12 yards respectively.
 
Special Team Statistics
 
McClendon punted four times averaging 35.3 yards per punt.
 
Flodman returned two punts for 22 yards while Coughlin returned one for five yards. Audsley had three kickoff returns for a total of 73 yards which included one 37-yard return. Pass had one kickoff return for 20 yards.
 
Brady kicked off six times averaging 54.2 yards and had no touchbacks.
 
Defensive Statistics
 
Nine Bobcats finished with five or more tackles while being led by Michael Bullard (Nassau, Bahamas) who finished with seven total tackles – one unassisted. Bullard was also credited for a fumble recovery.
 
Brown and Collin Weingaertner (Omaha) each finished with six total tackles. Brown had two solo tackles and one sack for a loss of two yards. He was also credited with 1.5 tackles for a loss of 3.3 yards. Weingaertner had a 0.5 tackle for a loss of 1.5 yards.
 
Ismael Calvillo (Tucson, Ariz.), Robert Tillman (Detroit), Andrew Jones (Omaha), Gunnar Orcutt (Omaha), and Desmond Stirgus (Raytown, Mo.) each finished with five total tackles. Calvillo and Tillman each had three unassisted tackles while the other three each had two unassisted tackles.
 
Calvillo had one tackle for a loss of one yard. Orcutt had 0.5 tackle for a loss of 1.3 yards and Stirgus had a tackle for a loss of two yards.
 
Stephen Bowers (LaVista) had two sacks for a loss of 16 yards while Luis Constantino (Varzea Grande, Brazil) had a sack for six yards.
 
Upcoming Game
 
Peru State will play its first game on the road next week when they travel to Springfield, Mo., to face the Evangel Crusaders in another night game which will begin at 6 p.m. Evangel is 0-2 having dropped their first two games to two of the better teams in the Heart North Division. The Crusaders opened with a 37-17 loss to Grand View (Iowa) and fell Saturday to Benedictine 37-10.