(Peru, Neb.) – The Baker (Kan.) defense was too much for the Peru State football team as the 17^th-ranked Wildcats pitched a 35-0 shutout to dampen the Bobcat homecoming.
 
And speaking of dampening, there was a heavy mist that fell throughout most of the game causing some slippage by both teams.
 
For Peru State, it was the first time since Nov. 1 of 2014 when they had been shutout.
 
Baker improved to 4-2 on the season while Peru State fell to 2-4.
 
First Quarter Action
 
It was a defensive struggle between the two teams for most of the first half. On Peru State's third possession of the quarter, the Bobcats fumbled. It was picked up and run in for a touchdown by Baker. Their PAT was good and with 7:38 left in the first stanza, the Wildcats led 7-0.
 
After Peru State was forced to punt on their next possession, Baker did move down into scoring position, but the Bobcat defense held and forced a field goal try. For the third week in a row, Victor Hubbard (Corinth, Texas) was able to block the attempt to keep the score at 7-0.
 
The quarter would eventually end at the same score.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
Neither team really made any substantial movement in the second quarter. The half would end with the Wildcats leading 7-0.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
After a Bobcat fumble ended Peru State's first possession, Baker took over on the Bobcats' 26-yard line. Again, Peru State's defense stiffened and forced another field goal try which was wide left. However, the Bobcats could not get anything going and a poor punt gave Baker the ball on the Bobcats' 40-yard line. Four plays later, the Wildcats extended their lead to 13-0 as their point after attempt failed.
 
Later in the quarter, Baker intercepted a Peru State pass and took over in Bobcat territory again at the 40-yard line. Seven plays later, the Wildcats scored and went for two on their PAT. It was successful and Baker led 21-0 with 4:31 left in the third period.
 
The third quarter would end with the Wildcats leading 21-0.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
Baker's second possession of the fourth quarter resulted because of another interception of a Bobcat pass. The Wildcats started their drive on their own five-yard line and would take 5:02 off the clock while marching the ball down the field in 15 plays to score. The PAT was good and Baker now led 28-0 with 7:34 left in the game.
 
On the Wildcats' next possession, they went 42 yards in six plays to score again to put up the final points of the contest.

BAKER GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
Baker dominated in most of the statistical categories. The Wildcats finished with 19 first downs compared to 11 for the Bobcats.
 
The Wildcats had 343 total yards of offense with 218 of it coming on the ground. Baker held Peru State to just 125 yards of offense with just 53 of it coming through the air.
 
Baker won the turnover battle as they recovered three fumbles and nabbed three interceptions while giving up two fumbles.
 
The Wildcats were penalized six times for 55 yards while the Bobcats had eight flags for 80 yards.
 
Offensive Statistics
 
Noah Kasbohm (Nebraska City) led Peru State in rushing with 61 net yards on 14 carries. DeOndrae Mayo (Ocala, Fla.) added 46 yards on 19 yards.
 
Kasbohm finished the game with 50 yards of passing going just three of 11 attempts. Joey Dominguez (Van Ormy, Texas) was one of five for three yards.
 
Dwight Butler (Nassau, Bahamas) caught three passes for 48 yards while Mayo caught the other pass for five yards.
 
Special Teams Statistics
 
John Brady (Hickman) punted ten times averaging 24.6 yards per punt with one landing inside the 20-yard line. He also kicked off once for 55 yards.
 
Colton Audsley (Prescott Valley, Ariz.) returned one punt for 20 yards and had two kickoff returns for 43 yards. Anthony Luckett (Los Angeles) also had one kickoff return for 28 yards.
 
Defensive Statistics
 
Zach Taylor (Gillette, Wyo.) led the Bobcat defense with 14 total tackles including eight solo. In addition, he had one tackle for a loss of three yards. Luis Constantino finished with ten tackles – four solo.
 
Travis Reed (Hickman) finished with six tackles – three solo and broke up one pass. Dalton Cross (Wichita, Kan.) and Jordan Willis (Denver) each finished with five tackles. Cross had two solo while Willis was credited with one solo. Willis had one-half of a sack for a loss of one yard, 1.5 tackles for a loos of four yards and recovered two fumbles.
 
Desmond Stirgus (Raytown, Mo.) added 1.5 tackles for a loss of thee yards. Hubbard not only had one blocked field goal, but he finished with a second one and also broke up a pass.
 
Upcoming Game
 
The Bobcats' road does not get any easier next week as the ninth-ranked Grand View (Iowa) Vikings will be visiting the Oak Bowl. Grand View will enter the game on a four-game winning streak having lost their season opener to Evangel (Mo.) who is still undefeated at 7-0.
 
The game will be Peru State's ESPN3 game and it will begin at 2:30 p.m.
 
This will also be the "Community of Peru" Day! Also residents of Peru and their families will be invited to attend the football game for free. In addition, the Bobcat volleyball team will be playing at 11 a.m. that morning and Peruvians are invited to attend that match for free as well.