(Peru, Neb.) – The final statistics do not always tell the story in any game. That was the case on Saturday in Olathe, Kansas, as the MidAmerica Nazarene (MNU) Pioneers dominated the game in most of the categories with the exception of the final score.
 
The Peru State Bobcat football team topped MNU 24-19 as they ended up winning the turnover battle. The 'Cats recovered three fumbles, blocked a punt, and blocked a field goal on their way to their second-straight win.
 
Peru State is now 2-3 on the year while the Pioneers fall to 2-4. This was the Bobcats fourth win in a row over MidAmerica Nazarene.
 
NOTE: It appears there may be some discrepancies in the play-by-play and final statistics, so the release is written as the information was provided.
 
First Quarter Action
 
MNU had the ball to start the game and drove the ball 50 yards down the field before being forced to try a field goal on the Peru State 20-yard line. For the second-straight week, Victor Hubbard (Corinth, Texas) was able to get through and blocked the 37-yard attempt. Langdon Douglas (Kansas City, Mo.) recovered the ball and the 'Cats took over on their 44-yard line.

 
Deshawn Phelps (Austin, Texas) got the first carry and went five yards. On the next play, quarterback Dan Boshart (Wood River) ran a keeper and gained 12 yards for a first down. After a short gain, Colton Audsley (Prescott Valley, Ariz.) secured the second first down with an eight-yard gain. Two short carries by Boshart were followed by a 12-yard scamper by Audsley to get another first down at the MNU ten-yard line. Peru State was not able to push it in and on fourth down and six, John Brady (Hickman) hit a 23-yard field goal. The Bobcats led 3-0 with 6:32 left in the first quarter.
 
The teams would trade possessions before the quarter ended with Peru State leading 3-0.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
The 'Cats stopped the Pioneers after three plays into the second quarter, but could not move the ball themselves.
 
On MNU's next possession, they went ten plays and 39 yards to score a touchdown. The PAT was good and the Pioneers led 7-3.
 
Peru State did gain two first downs on their next possession, but it stalled on their 49-yard line. Brady's punt was downed at the Pioneer four-yard line.
 
The Bobcat defense was tough and forced a punt on MNU's eight-yard line on fourth and six. The Peru State special teams came through again as this time, Tommy Hope (Ridgecrest, Calif.) blocked the punt and Tristan Unruh (Auburn) recovered the ball in the end zone for the score. Brady's PAT was good and the 'Cats led 10-7.

 
MNU would take over on their 40-yard line after an 18-yard kickoff return. It took just six plays and a couple of Bobcat penalties for the Pioneers to score a touchdown. Another special teams performance, this time by Jordan Willis (Denver) occurred for the 'Cats as Willis block the extra point.
 
The half would end with MidAmerica Nazarene leading 13-10.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
After the Bobcats went three and out to start the second half, Brady was able to get off another good punt as he pinned the Pioneers again at the four-yard line.
 
Two carries of four yards each brought up third and two for the Pioneers. On the next play, Stephen Bowers (La Vista) forced a fumble which was recovered by Willis at the goal line giving the 'Cats the lead with the defensive score. Brady's PAT was good and Peru State led 17-13.
 
The teams traded two different possessions without scoring in the quarter. However, the Bobcats had driven down to the MNU nine-yard line on one of their possessions before being intercepted.
 
The third quarter would end with Peru State leading 17-13.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
Peru State had the ball for ten plays to end the third quarter and were on MNU's four-yard line when the quarter had ended. After a short run by Audsley of two yards, the 'Cats went for it on fourth and two, but were stopped at the line of scrimmage.

 
After MNU had two first downs by rushing on their next possession, Douglas forced a fumble and recovered it at the Pioneer 40-yard line. After a false start, a loss of three yards, and then an incomplete pass, Noah Kasbohm (Nebraska City) found DeOndrae Mayo (Ocala, Fla.) for a 48-yard touchdown pass. Brady's PAT was good and the Bobcats now led 24-13.
 
The Pioneers were moving the ball down the field on their next possession and had a second and seven on Peru State's nine-yard line. Douglas was credited for another forced fumble and he recovered it in the end zone for a touchback.
 
MNU stopped the 'Cats on their next possession and forced a short punt. The Pioneers took over on Peru State's 40-yard line. It would take them nine plays to go the 40 yards for the score. MidAmerica Nazarene would go for two, but the pass was no good.
 
Peru State could not run the clock out on their next possession and were forced to punt it back to the Pioneers. However, the 'Cats were able to stop the Pioneers on four downs to preserve the win.

MIDAMERICA NAZARENE GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics

 
MNU finished with 22 first downs compared to 13 for the Bobcats. The Pioneers had a balanced offensive attack as they had 192 yards on the ground and 196 yards through the air for 388 total yards. Peru State gained 158 on the ground and 109 through the air for 267 total yards.
 
The Bobcats did recover three of the MNU fumbles while the Pioneers nabbed one interception.
 
MidAmerica Nazarene was flagged six times for 74 yards while Peru State was penalized 11 times for 114 yards.
 
Offensive Statistics
 
Audsley was Peru State's leading rusher as he finished with 65 net yards on 12 carries. Phelps added 35 yards on 15 carries.
 
Kasbohm was five for nine for 70 yards and one touchdown while Joey Dominguez (Van Ormy, Texas) was two for four for 39 yards.
 
Audsley caught two passes for 37 yards. Jeremey Kaleikini (Brigham City, Utah) and Dwight Butler (Nassau, Bahamas) also caught two passes for 13 and 11 yards respectively. Mayo's lone catch went for 48 yards and a touchdown.
 
Special Team Statistics
 
Brady punted six times for 36.8 yards which included one touchback and two punts inside the 20-yard line. He added one field goal and kicked off five times averaging 52.8 yards.
 
Hope returned one punt for eight yards. Noah James (Cheyenne, Wyo.) had one kickoff return for 16 yards while Austin Connot (Allen) had one kickoff return.

 
Defensive Statistics
 
Travis Reed (Hickman) led the Bobcats with eight total tackles – all of which were solo. Reed also added one pass break-up.
 
Douglas and Hope each added six solo tackles. Douglas was credited with two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries while Hope blocked one punt.
 
Zach Taylor (Gillette, Wyo.) added five solo tackles and a tackle for a loss of four yards. Willis had one fumble recovery and a blocked extra point while Mardarius Adams (Lakeland, Fla.) was credited with a pass break-up.
 
Luis Constantino (Varzea Grande, Brazil) had a sack for a loss of six yards. Bowers forced one fumble and had a tackle for a loss of 12 yards.
 
Hubbard blocked a field goal and Desmond Stirgus (Raytown, Mo.) added one tackle for a loss of two yards.
 
Upcoming Game

 
Peru State will finish their non-conference and non-divisional games next week when Baker (Kan.) visits the Oak Bowl for Homecoming. The 11^th-ranked Wildcats were handed their second loss of the season as the 16^th-ranked Benedictine (Kan.) Ravens handed them a 23-12 home loss. Baker is presently 3-2 on the season.