(Peru, Neb.) – On Saturday, September 25 the Bobcats home field advantage helps again as they were able defend off MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) 21-14 in the Oak Bowl. Peru State improves to 3-2 overall on the year as the Pioneers fell to 1-4 on the year.
 
This is the first time since the 2018 season that the 'Cats have won three contests in one year.
 
First Half
 
After the Bobcats defense got a three an out on MNUs opening drive the 'Cats would strike first with an eight-yard rushing touchdown by Jeremy Kucera (Overland Park, Kan.). After the PAT by Shane McInerney (Galway, Ireland), Peru State had a 7-0 lead over the Pioneers with 10:39 left in the first quarter.
 
After both teams had to punt on their second possessions of the game, Peru State would strike again – this time throw the air. Joey Dominguez (Von Ormy, Texas) threw a passing touchdown to Gary Fleming (Saint Petersburg, Fla.) from 17 yards out. After Dominguez scored the two-point conversion, the Bobcats would lead 15-0 with 4:43 remaining the first stanza.
 
Mclnerney would nail a 41-yard field goal with 2:06 left until halftime as the 'Cats would lead 18-0.
 
Peru State defense would have a shutout for the first half of the game.
 
Second Half
 
The Bobcats would get another field goal to go as McInerney would be good from 30 yards to make it 21-0 with 1:31 left in the third quarter.
 
With just under 10 minutes left in the game, MNU would finally find the endzone with a rushing touchdown to make it 21-7 in favor of the 'Cats.
 
The Pioneers would find the end zone once again late in the contest. This time it was a 21-yard passing touchdown. MNU would cut the lead to 21-14 with just 54 seconds left.
 
Peru State was able to recover the onside kick and run out the clock to remain perfect at the Oak Bowl.
 
Stats
 
Dominguez had 140 passing yards and one touchdown.
 
Dominguez was also the leading rusher with 59 yards. He finished with 199 yards of offense for the 'Cats.
 
Ki'Jana Owens (North Platte) had nine rushes for 28 yards which was good for second on the team. Kucera carried it four times for 22 yards and one score.
 
Dremel Jackson (Kansas City, Mo.) had four catches for 48 yards. Kucera had three catches for 32 yards. Fleming caught two balls for 24 yards and one touchdown.
 
Travis Reed (Hickman) had 11 total tackles – six of them were solo. Also Reed recorded a 0.5 sack for a loss of three.
 
Mike Mitchell (Brooklyn, N.Y.) had six total tackles with three of them being solos and was able to record one sack for a loss of eight. Devin Adams (Pines Pembroke, Fla.) record six total tackles. Adams had 2.5 sacks and four tackles for losses.
 
Carlos Thomas (Golf Port, Mis.) registered five tackles – two of them were solos. Armunz Mathews (Quincy, Fla.) – record one assisted tackle but had the lone Bobcat interception. Mathews know has three straight games with a pick.
 
Upcoming Game
 
The 'Cats will be on the road next weekend as they take on Evangel Valor. The kickoff is schedule to be at 6 p.m. in Springfield, Mo.