(Peru, Neb.) – Despite overcoming a 22-point deficit in the game, the Peru State football team ended up falling to Graceland (GU) in Lamoni, Iowa, Saturday afternoon. The game was televised on ESPN3 and its affiliates.
 
The Bobcats were down 28-6 with 2:56 remaining in the first half, but managed to add 13 points before the half ended to pull within eight at 28-20. The 'Cats would then score twice in the third quarter to go up 33-28 going into the final stanza. The Yellowjackets managed to add a touchdown and a two-point conversion in the fourth to gain the win as they thwarted a Peru State effort with 1:41 left with an interception.
 
It was the first win of the season for Graceland who improved to 1-8 on the year and 1-2 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) North Division. The Bobcats fell to 3-6 overall and are also 1-2 in the Heart North.
 
First Quarter Action
 
On Graceland's first possession, the Yellowjackets marched the ball down the field to the Bobcats' 14-yard line where they failed on three straight pass attempts. GU would try a 31-yard field goal which was blocked by Nate Barbary (Rockford, Ill.) and the 'Jackets came away with nothing.
 
Peru State would get one first down on their first possession with that coming on a 12-yard run by quarterback Dan Boshart (Wood River).
 
Graceland would start their second possession on their 31-yard line and would go 69 yards in eight plays for the first score of the game. With 5:58 left in the first quarter, the Yellowjackets led 7-0.
 

The Yellowjackets were flagged for a penalty on the first play of the second Peru State drive and the Bobcats found themselves in Graceland territory at the 40-yard line. After two short gains, Ki'Jana Owens (North Platte) took the pitch and had positive yardage before the 'Jackets forced a fumble. Graceland would take over on their 15-yard line.
 
It only took the 'Jackets five plays to go 85 yards and suddenly Graceland was ahead 14-0 with 2:42 left in the first stanza.
 
The Bobcats went backwards on their last possession in the first quarter as they were called for a chop block.
 
The first quarter ended with the Yellowjackets leading 14-0.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
The 'Jackets could not move the ball on their next possession and Peru State took over on their 18-yard line.
 
A holding penalty pushed the Bobcats back to the eight-yard line. On third and two, Colton Audsley (Prescott Valley, Ariz.) ran 16 yards for a first down. Two carries by DeOndrae Mayo (Ocala, Fla.) gave Peru State a second first down in the drive. Boshart then found Owens for ten yards and another first down to the Graceland 46-yard line. A nine-yard carry by Boshart was followed by a two-yard run by Mayo and the 'Cats were on the Yellowjackets' 35-yard line. Later, on fourth and five, the Bobcats went for it and the ball was intercepted and it was returned to Graceland's 47-yard line.
 
Four plays later, the Yellowjackets were in the end zone and led 21-0 with 9:09 left in the first half.
 

Robbie Sturdivant (North Platte) gained 14 yards on the return and Peru State started its next drive on their 33-yard line. A six-yard gain by Audsley was followed by seven yards by Mayo for a first down. Mayo then went 18 yards which was followed by 16 by Audsley and Peru State was at Graceland's 20-yard line. A personal foul moved it to the 'Jackets' ten-yard line. After two running plays, Boshart found Audsley for a ten-yard passing strike for the first Bobcat points. The PAT was no good and the 'Cats trailed 20-6 with 6:08 left in the half.
 
Graceland's next possession saw them being forced to punt, but the punt was a great one as it was downed at Peru State's one-yard line. The second Bobcat play was a fumble and the 'Jackets took over on the four-yard line. It only took the Yellowjackets two plays to score and now they led 28-6 with 2:56 left in the second quarter.
 
Anthony Luckett (Los Angeles) gave the Bobcats decent field position at their 38-yard line. Boshart carried for ten yards for a first down and then on second and three, Audsley would scamper 45 yards into the end zone for his second touchdown of the game. The PAT by John Brady (Hickman) was good and now it was a 28-13 contest with 1:45 left in the first half.
 
Graceland would move the ball into Peru's territory with a couple of passes. But on the fourth play of their possession, Tommy Hope (Ridgecrest, Calif.) intercepted a Yellowjacket pass and went 61 yards for a pick six. Brady's kick was good and it was now 28-20 Graceland.
 
Neither team would do anything in their final two possessions. The half ended with Graceland on top 28-20.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
On Peru State's second possession of the second half, the Bobcats were able to put together a scoring drive. Luckett's 36-yard kickoff return set the 'Cats up on their 49-yard line.

 
Two short carries by Mayo were followed by 12 yards from Boshart. On the following third and two, Mayo went another seven yards and the Bobcats were now on Graceland's 20-yard line. Mayo would have runs on six and three to set up third and one from the 11-yard line. Boshart would find Audsley again for another touchdown pass – this one for 11 yards. Brady's PAT was good and the 'Cats now trailed by one at 28-27 with 8:23 left in the third quarter.
 
On Graceland's next possession, on third and four, the Yellowjackets fumbled and it was recovered by Desmond Stirgus (Raytown, Mo.) at the 30-yard line.
 
The Bobcats were able to keep the drive going after three rushing plays. On first and ten on Graceland's 30-yard line, Dwight Butler (Nassau, Bahamas) ran a reverse in for a touchdown. Peru State would have its first lead. The 'Cats would try for two, but it failed, but they led 33-28 with 5:27 left in the third period.
 
On Graceland's next possession, Mardarius Adams (Lakeland, Fla.) stopped a Yellowjacket drive with an interception at the goal line which he ran out for 37 yards.
 
Peru State would take over and were able to move the ball. On third and six, Boshart found Joey Dominguez (Van Ormy, Texas) for 11 yards and Peru State was into Graceland territory at their 48-yard line. After an incomplete pass, Boshart and Audsley hooked up again, this time for 21 yards and the 'Cats were now down to the 27-yard line. Boshart would finish the quarter with a 13-yard run.
 
The Bobcats led at the end of 45 minutes 33-28.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
On third and three, the Bobcats were called for holding and eventually had to attempt a 32-yard field goal which went wide left. The 'Cats still led 33-28 with 12:43 left in the game.
 
The Yellowjackets would score on their next possession after going 80 yards in eight plays. Graceland went for two and it was good. With 10:44 remaining in the game, the 'Jackets led 36-33.
 
The teams would trade two different possessions before the Bobcats started what would be their final drive at Graceland's 46-yard line with 3:40 left in the contest.
 
After an incomplete pass, Boshart went nine yards and then followed it with two yards for a first down at Graceland's 35-yard line. Mayo carried for 15 and Peru State was in the red zone on Graceland's 20-yard line. Mayo carried for two yards which set up second and eight. On the next play, the Yellowjackets came up with an interception at the goal line.
 

Graceland would run out the clock and capture their first win of the year.

GRACELAND GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
As you would expect by the final score, the statistics were close, but the teams achieved their stats in different ways.

Peru State finished with one more first down than Graceland as they had 25. The Yellowjackets did have the edge in total yardage as they finished with 476 while the 'Cats finished with 436. The difference here is that Graceland had 378 of its yards through the air while the Bobcats had 347 of their yardage on the ground.
 
Both teams had troubles in terms of turnovers with Graceland slightly winning the battle. Both teams had three interceptions, but the Bobcats coughed up three fumbles while the Yellowjackets had one lost fumble.
 
Graceland finished with ten penalties for 140 yards while the Bobcats had six penalties for 102 yards.
 
Offensive Statistics
 
Mayo led all rushers with 122 yards on 29 carries with Audsley finishing just two yards short of the century mark and had one rushing touchdown. Boshart added 74 yards on 16 carries. Butler's lone carry was for a 30-yard touchdown.
 
Boshart was nine of 17 for 89 yards and two touchdowns, but also had three interceptions.

 
Audsley caught four passes for 47 yards and two touchdowns. Dominguez had two catches for 23 yards while Owens, Mayo, and Rio Oliver (Tampa, Fla.) each had one reception.
 
Special Teams Statistics
 
Brady punted four times for 38.5 yards and kicked off six times averaging 51.8 yards and had two touchbacks.
 
Luckett had two punt returns for 14 yards and added one kickoff return for 22 yards. Sturdivant had two kickoff returns for 25 yards. Bryson Duncan (Hamburg, Iowa) had one kickoff return for 22 yards while Mitchell Orr (Smithville, Mo.) had one for 19 yards. Andrew Jones had the other kickoff return for 13 yards.
 
Defensive Statistics
 
Travis Reed (Hickman) led the defense with 13 tackles – seven of which were solo. Zach Taylor (Gillette, Wyo.) was also in double-digit tackles as he finished with 11 total – five solo. Taylor was also credited with a tackle for a loss of one yard.
 
Langdon Douglas (Kansas City, Mo.) and Hope each had seven tackles – three solo. Hope added the interception for a pick six of 61 yards.

 
Jordan Willis (Denver) had five tackles – two solo and had a pass break-up. Mike Mitchell (Boys Town) had one tackle for a loss of two yards while Adams had two interceptions which he returned for 39 yards and had one pass break-up.
 
Stirgus had one sack for a loss of nine yards and one fumble recovery while Barbary blocked a field goal try. Victor Hubbard (Corinth, Texas) was credited with one pass break-up.
 
Upcoming Game
 
The Bobcats will host their next game when Culver-Stockton (Mo.) comes to visit the Oak Bowl for a 1 p.m. kickoff. The Wildcats are 2-7 on the season and are 0-3 in the Heart North. Culver-Stockton did give the 7-1 Grand View (Iowa) Vikings a big scare on Saturday as they almost pulled off an upset. However, the Vikings prevailed 29-27 after kicking a 40-yard field goal with 13 seconds left in the game.
 
It will be senior day for the Peru State as they salute 14 seniors and their parents prior to the game at approximately 12:35 p.m.