(Peru, Neb.) – On Saturday, October 2, Peru State travel to Nixa, Mo., to take on the Evangel University Valor and came away victorious after a 23-22 ball game. With the win Peru State improved to 4-2 overall on the season as the Valor fell to 3-3 on the year.
This concludes the first half of the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) football cross-divisional play. When the 'Cats play next, it will begin divisional play.
1st Half
Peru State would strike first in the game as
Shane McInerney (Galway, Ireland) would connect on a 30-yard field goal. This gave the Bobcats a 3-0 lead with 7:17 left in the first quarter.
Later, in the first half Peru State would find the end zone this on a rushing touchdown by
Quinton Hawkins (Richmond, Va.) to extend the lead to 10-0 after the PAT was good by McInerney. There was 10:06 remaining in the second quarter.
The defense would get in on the action as
Gerald Smith (Baltimore, Md.) would get a scoop n' score from 27 yards out. The Bobcats would lead 17-10 after the PAT was good by McInerney.
The 'Cats would have a first half shutout for the second time this season as they shut Missouri Valley the first game of the year.
2nd Half
The Valor would finally get on the board with a 38-yard passing touchdown to cut the lead to 17-7 in favor of Peru State. This occurred with just 97 seconds gone in the third quarter.
Less than a minute later, Evangel would get a safety on the Peru State offense. The 'Cats would still lead 17-9 with 12:26 left in the third quarter.
On the kick-off after the safety, the Valor returned it 80 yards to the house to cut the deficit to one at 17-16. This happened at the 12:15 mark on the scoreboard.
Evangel would take their first lead in the game when they connected on a 44-yard touchdown pass with 4:50 remaining in the third quarter. The Valor had scored 22 unanswered points to lead by five.
With 27 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Peru State would make it a two-point game as McInerney would make a 32-yard field goal. Valor would still lead 22-20 with the entire fourth quarter to play.
The only points in the fourth came at the 1:42 mark. McInerney would make a 22-yard field goal to take the lead back from Evangel 23-22. The Bobcats had put together a 14-play, 62-yard drive which took 7:47 off the clock.
The 'Cats were able force a three an out and ran out the clock to win 23-22.
Stats
Joey Dominguez (Von Ormy, Texas) threw for 106 and connected on 14 of 16 passes good for a very efficient 87.5%.
Devin Adams (Pembroke Pines Fla.) was one for one for 31 yards.
Hawkins carried the ball 17 times for 52 yards and one score.
Ki'Jana Owens (North Platte) rushed 11 times for 41 yards.
Dremel Jackson (Kansas City, Mo.) caught five passes for 65 yards.
Luke Dalley (Essex, Iowa) caught one pass for 31 yards.
McInerney would go three of three on field goals and two for two on PATs. One of his field goals was the game winner.
Jace Stewart (Slocomb, Ala.) led the team with nine total tackles - two of them were solos.
Travis Reed (Hickman) was second on the team in tackles with six - two solos.
Adams added five tackles - two of which were solo. Adams also recorded two sacks as well.
Armunz Mathews (Quincy, Fla.) had the lone pick for the 'Cats. This was the fourth-straight game Mathews had picked off the opposing QB. In addition, he registered three total tackles
Upcoming Game
Peru State will be on a bye this week. On October 16 the 'Cats will be at home against Clarke University. Kick-off time is set for 12:00 p.m.
At halftime of the Clarke contest, the Bobcat athletic department and the College's Foundation will be introducing the next class in the Athletic Hall of Fame.
