(Peru, Neb.)—On Saturday, August 27, the Peru State football team, was defeated by Missouri Valley College in a defensive battle 16-6, in Head Coach Phil Ockinga's debut. The Bobcats start the season 0-1 as the Vikings start their campaign 1-0.
 
Below is a breakdown of how the first game of the season went:
 
Early in the first quarter after the Peru State offense went three-and-out the Bobcat defense returned the favor with a three-and-out of their own. The Bobcats offense then sputtered again after a few plays and had to punt once again.
 
The next Vikings drive was a methodical one as an eight-yard quarterback scramble for a touchdown would cap off a ten play 74-yard drive as Missouri Valley would take a 7-0 lead. The Bobcats offense went three-and-out for the second time in three drives to start the game.
 
Missouri Valley looked like they were driving once again but a big sack by Marcel Wood (Augusta, Ga.) put the Vikings in a second and long situation at the end of the first quarter. The Bobcats then forced the Vikings to punt.
 
The offense was still stagnant as they went backwards in another three-and-out situation. The Vikings were not able to gain too much momentum as their six-play drive only mustered nine yards.
 
Peru State's offense finally woke up as quarterback Will Mueller (Springdale, Ark.) threw a strike to Lander Imbimbo (New Haven, U.K.) for a 67-yard pass down to the Vikings 12-yard line. Unfortunately, the Bobcats would turn the ball over on downs as the score would remain 7-0.
 
Missouri Valley College would then march down the field, but the Bobcat defense bowed up as they forced a goal line stand. The Vikings missed a 20-yard field goal that would have given them a double-digit lead right before the half.
 
In the beginning of the second half the Vikings broke open the score with a 51-yard touchdown run that included a highlight reel hurdle. The PAT was missed as Missouri Valley College extended its lead 13-0.
 
Peru State's offense remained anemic as they had another three-and-out to start the second half. The Bobcats defense stepped up on the next drive as Clayton Thrasher (Mandeville, La.) forced and recovered a fumble on the Vikings 20-yard line.
 
Then on second and goal Mueller threw a strike to Jarrius Anderson (Cordova, Tenn.) to put the Bobcats on the board. The PAT attempt would be missed as the score would be 13-6 Vikings.
 
The Bobcats defense forced a Vikings punt as the offense went back to work. Mueller was on fire with his receivers in the next drive getting all the down to the Missouri Valley College 21-yard line. The offense would turn the ball over on downs as the scored remained 13-6.

Peru State's defense then forced a three-and-out late in the third quarter. The Bobcats offense looked like they had a promising drive going but then Mueller threw a pick in Viking territory.
 
The fourth quarter started with the Vikings driving but the Bobcat defense again stopped the drive and forced a punt. After a good punt by the Vikings to pin the Bobcats back deep. Mueller threw his second interception of the game.
 
The Vikings did not find paydirt but were able to tack on three points from a 31-yard field goal to make it a double-digit lead 16-6. Peru State then had a promising drive getting to the Vikings 28-yard line, but Mueller's rough night continued as he threw his third interception of the game.
 
The Bobcat defense forced another three-and-out, but the clock was ticking as the fourth quarter began to wind down. Peru State mustered one first down but then a costly sack on third and one led to a difficult fourth down as the pass would fall incomplete and that would all about do it for the Bobcats.
 
Mueller was 17-of-38 on the day for 228 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions, leading the way in rushing was Stacian Livingston (St. Louis, Mo.) with 13 carries for 52 yards, leading the way in receiving was Imbimbo with two receptions for 84 yards.
 
On the defensive side of the ball Kile Bentley (Cairo) led the way in tackles with eight all of them were solo. Thrasher had the lone turnover with the fumble recovery and Wood had the lone sack.
 
Peru State will have their home opener against No. 18 Central Methodist in the Oak Bowl next Saturday, September 3, kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m.