(Peru, Neb.) – On Saturday, October 16, the Peru State Bobcats would get their fifth victory of the season after shutting out Clarke University 20-0. The 'Cats would improve to 5-2 overall and 1-0 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference North Division. Clarke would fall to 0-7 overall and 0-1 in the conference.
 
This would be the first shutout of the season for the Bobcats. Peru State would keep the home field advantage alive after winning their fourth-straight home game of the season. The Bobcats are currently on a three game-winning streak.
 
Peru State also welcomed the newest class inducted into the Hall of Fame at halftime.
 
First Half
 
This game would be a slugfest to open the game as both teams would have trouble getting anything going in the first quarter as both defenses were playing lights out.
 
Peru State would finally get on the board with 26 seconds left to go until half with a three-yard touchdown run by Quinton Hawkins (Richmond, Va.). Shane McInerney (Galway, Ireland) would make the PAT as the 'Cats would lead 7-0 at the end of 30 minutes.
 
Second Half
 
Peru State would extend their lead with 7:14 remaining in the third quarter with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Joey Dominguez (Von Ormy, Texas) to Garry Fleming (Saint Petersburg, Fla.) as McInerney would make his second PAT of the game. The Bobcats would lead 14-0.
 
With 37 seconds remaining in the third quarter, McInerney would hit a 22-yard field goal to make the score 17-14 in favor Peru State.
 
McInerney would add a 40-yard field goal to go up 20-0. The Bobcats' defense would be able to keep the shutout alive as the offense would run out the clock to earn the win inside the Oak Bowl.
 
Stats
 
Defensively as a team, the Bobcats were stout. They held the Pride to just 47 yards of total offense – 33 of which came on one pass play.
 
Dominguez would throw for 117 yards and toss one score on 17 of 25 passing.
 
Hawkins had 20 carries for 82 yards and one touchdown. Ki'Jana Owens (North Platte) would have 10 carries for 25 yards and Dominguez added 14 carries for 25 yards.
 
Dremel Jackson (Kansas City, Mo.) grabbed four catches for 45 yards. Fleming would have four catches for 31 yards and one receiving touchdown.
 
McInerney would make both of his field goals and both of his extra points to remain perfect on the year in both categories.
 
Travis Reed (Hickman) would have eight total tackles – five of them solos. Reed had two tackles for losses for four yards.
 
Deiontay Dozier (Meza, Ariz.) added five tackles – two solos. Michael Lombardi (Peru) would register five assisted tackles.
 
Clay Thrasher (Mandeville, La.) would have two solo tackles and three assisted tackles.
 
Craig Jones (Philadelphia, Penn.) would have three solo tackles and would have the lone interception for the Bobcats for 29 return yards.
 
Upcoming Game
 
Peru State will be back on the road as they will travel to Oskaloosa, Iowa, to take on William Penn University. The Statesmen are 1-6 overall and 0-1 in Heart North play.