Second-half Comeback Attempt Falls Short for Bobcats in Wildcat Country
BALDWIN CITY, KS - The Peru State football team fell to the Baker Wildcats 36-17 on Saturday night. The Bobcats are now 0-2 while the Wildcats improve to 1-0 on the year.
Below is a breakdown of how the game went…
It was a slow going first quarter for both teams as they traded punts for most of the first quarter. Late in the first the Wildcats would get on the board first with a 24-yard rushing touchdown in a short two play drive to make the score 7-0 Baker.
Early in the second quarter Baker was again methodically marching down the field, then a holding penalty put the Wildcats behind the sticks at 2-and-20 to go from the Peru State 29-yard line.
Baker found a receiver for a 17-yard strike and then marched down to the goal line as its running back would plunge in for a two-yard score making it 14-0 Wildcats. On Baker's next offensive possession, it would only take them one play to find pay dirt as its running back scored a 55-yard rushing touchdown scampering into the end zone to make the score 21-0.
Peru State late in the second quarter finally had a drive going but an interception stalled the Bobcats drive. Baker's offense went three-and-out on its next possession but downed the punt on Peru's on four-yard line.
Peru State being so backed up in its own end would spell trouble as Baker ended up getting a safety to make the score 23-0 Wildcats.
Baker was able to tack on a field goal towards the end of the first half to make the score 26-0.
The Wildcats marched down the field to open up the first drive of the second half ending in a score as Baker was now up 33-0.
Peru State would finally get on the board in the middle of the third quarter after Colin Shields (Wichita, Kan.) found Torrey Patterson (Georgia) for a 41-yard connection as the Bobcats trailed the Wildcats 33-7.
Late in the third quarter the Bobcats were able to recover a muffed punt by the Wildcats as Isaiah Murrell was able to recover the fumble. Mack Boekhout (Elkhorn) was able to put a 32-yard field goal through the uprights as the Bobcats trailed 33-10.
Early in the fourth quarter the Bobcats were able to recover another muffed punt this time Kile Bentley (Cairo) putting Peru State in Baker territory.
Shields was able to find Lander Imbimbo (New Haven U.K.) on a four-yard fade route for a touchdown. Peru State trailed Baker 33-17.
Baker was able to tack on another 44-yard field goal to make the score 36-17. That would be the final score of the game.
Shields was 19-of-41 for 248 yards two touchdowns and two interceptions. Stacy Livingston (St. Louis, Mo.) had nine carries for 51 yards with a long of 20. Patterson and Imbimbo each caught a touchdown pass.
Bentley led the team in tackles with 12.
Peru State returns to the Oak Bowl this Saturday, September 9, for the Inaugural Thunder in the Oaks event as they host MidAmerica Nazarene kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m.