(Peru, Neb.) – The Peru State football team was oh so close to keeping Benedictine head coach Larry Wilcox from earning his 300^th career win. But, it was the Ravens who scored the last ten points of the game to pull out a 31-27 win in Atchison, Kan., on Saturday.

With the win, Benedictine improved to 3-1 while the Bobcats fell to 1-2.
 
It was the closest game between the teams since the Bobcats edged Benedictine 19-17 on a last-second field goal in 2015.
 
First Quarter Action
 
Peru State had the ball first and moved the ball down the field before having a pass intercepted.

 
On the very first play for the Ravens, Carlos Thomas (Gulfport, Miss.) forced a fumble which Ethan Skarmas (Palm Desert, Calif.) recovered at the Benedictine 35-yard line.
 
After a penalty on first down, on the next play, the Ravens were whistled for an unsportsmanlike conduct to move the ball to the 25-yard line. Joey Dominguez (Van Ormy, Texas) found Javon Stephens (Gibsonton, Fla.) for 18 yards giving the 'Cats the ball on the Ravens' seven-yard line. On the next play Dominguez scampered into the end zone for the first score the game. Mack Boekhout's point after attempt was good and the Bobcats led 7-0 with 10:03 on the clock.
 
It would only take Benedictine three plays to score as they went 53 yards to tie it up at 7-7 with 8:22 left in the first quarter.
 
The Ravens would force the Bobcats to a three and out on Peru State's next series. Benedictine would take over on their 43-yard line. Eleven plays and 57 yards later, the Ravens scored to take a 14-7 lead with 1:09 left in the first 15 minutes.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
On the first play of the quarter, Peru State punted and on the play, the Raven returner fumbled and Marlon Warren (Vancleave, Miss.) recovered at Peru State's 49-yard line. The Bobcats could not capitalize and the Ravens would eventually block the punt to take over on their 46-yard line.
 
The Peru State defense stiffened and stopped Benedictine on after one first down at the Raven 42-yard line.
 
The Bobcats took over and on third and eight, Sohail Mohsini (Brentwood, Calif.) found Garrison Dodge (Oakland) for a 40-yard touchdown pass. Boekhout's PAT was good and the game was tied at 14-14 with 8:56 left in the first half.

 
The teams would trade possessions with Benedictine eventually taking over on the Bobcats' five-yard line after a punt return of 41 yards. It would only take the Ravens one play to score and go up 21-14 with 3:03 left in the second quarter.
 
Peru State would start on their 25-yard line after a touchback on the kickoff. Ki'Jana Owens (North Platte) carried the ball for five yards and then Zaron Wright (Gibsonton, Fla.) went for ten yards for a first down. After a short gain on the first down, the Ravens were flagged for a pass interference which moved the ball into Benedictine's side of the field at the 45. Owens carried for six and then Dominguez found Stephens for nine yards for another first down. After an incomplete pass, Dominguez hit Garry Fleming for 11 yards down to the Benedictine 19-yard line. After a timeout, Dominguez and Fleming hooked up again, this time for a touchdown. The Boekhout PAT was good to tie the game at halftime at 21-21.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
Benedictine had the ball first in the second half and the Bobcats forced the Ravens to punt the ball. On the play Jace Stewart (Slocomb, Ala.) went 76 yards on the punt return for a touchdown. The PAT was blocked, but the 'Cats led 27-21 with 12:31 on the clock.
 
Later in the quarter, the Ravens would go 56 yards in nine plays to regain the lead at 28-27 with 3:50 remaining in the third stanza.
 
The third quarter would end with the same score.

 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
Peru State had an opportunity to get back within one on their first possession of the final quarter, but a 41-yard field goal attempt was just short.
 
Later, on Benedictine's second possession of the quarter, they hit a 34-yard field goal to extend their lead to 31-27 with 3:18 remaining in the game.
 
The Bobcats were not able to sustain a drive and the Ravens went on to claim the 31-27 victory.

BENEDICTINE GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
The statistics reflected the final score as they were close in most categories. Peru State finished with 17 first downs while Benedictine had 15. The Ravens finished with 261 total yards – 168 of those on the ground. The 'Cats had 226 total yards with 202 coming through the air.
 
Peru State lost one fumble while the Ravens lost three. Both teams had one interception.
 
The officials were busy in the game as each team had 11 penalties. Benedictine had 114 yards on the flags while Peru State had 83.
 
Peru Offensive Statistics

 
Owens led the Bobcat rushers with 30 yards while Wright added 15.
 
Dominguez went nine of 19 for 149 yards and one touchdown. Mohsini was three of four for 53 yards and one touchdown.
 
Fleming grabbed five receptions for 99 yards and one touchdown. Stephens had four catches of 38 yards while Dodge, Wright, and J'lon Horton (Valrico, Fla.) each had one catch. Dodge's lone catch was for a touchdown.
 
Peru Special Team Statistics
 
Gustavo Brochetto (San Marcos, Brazil) punted six times averaging 24.3 yards.
 
Stewart had the lone punt return which he returned 76 yards for a touchdown. Stephens had three kick-off returns for 47 yards while Nathaniel Barbary (Rockford, Ill.) had one return for 11 yards.
 
Boekhout kicked off five times averaging 52.6 yards per kick.
 
Peru Defensive Statistics
 
Travis Reed (Hickman) came up big defensively as he finished with 15 total tackles – eight of which were solo. Reed added 2.5 tackles for losses of 2.5 yards.

 
Clayton Thrasher (Mandeville, La.) added eight tackles – three of which were solo and had one tackle for a loss of 2.8 yards. Barbary contributed six tackles – four solo and added one sack for three yards.
 
Last week's Heart's Defensive Player of the Week Thomas finished with four tackles – three solo, added one sack for two yards and was credited for 1.5 tackles for losses of 4.3 yards. In addition, he forced a fumble at the beginning of the game which eventually led to Peru State's first score.
 
Mike Lombardi (Peru) also had four tackles – two solo. Mike Mitchell (Brooklyn, N.Y.) had one sack for a loss of nine yards and 1.5 tackles for losses of 11.3 yards.

Upcoming Game
 
Peru State will be at home when they start Heart of America Athletic Conference North Division play next Saturday, Oct. 17. The Clarke (Iowa) Pride will be the opponent at 1 p.m. in the Oak Bowl. Clarke is 1-3 on the season having lost 28-13 at Evangel on Saturday.