HASTINGS, NE - The Peru State football team defeated the Hastings Broncos with a thrilling overtime win in their season opener Saturday.
 
The Bobcats had 418 passing yards and 86 rushing yards against the Broncos. The team only allowed 233 total offensive yards during the matchup.
 
The first quarter was scoreless for both teams.
 
The Broncos scored the first touchdown of the game. The Bobcats' offense pushed to even the score. With the help of a 41-yard pass to Jordan Kempf, 8-yard pass to Stacian Livingston and 9-yard pass to Gio Contreras the Bobcats got to the Hastings 2-yard line. Colin Shields had a two-yard rush to score the Bobcats' first touchdown, but the extra point was missed to keep it 7-6 going into the half.
 
In the third quarter, the Bobcats struggled to score as the Broncos led 14-6 going into the fourth quarter.
 
A 39-yard pass from Colin Shields to Jordan Kempf scored the first touchdown for the Bobcats in the fourth quarter. The Broncos followed the Bobcats' touchdown with a TD of their own to build lead at 21-13.
 
With 6:22 on the clock, the Bobcats started their drive to tie the game. The team made its way down the field and Daylan Jones scored after a 30-yard pass from Colin Shields. In the extra point attempt, a pass was good from Colin Shields to Kaleb Herbel to tie the game 21-21 with 1:32 on the clock.
 
The Broncos failed to score in the rest of regulation and the game went into overtime. In OT, Hastings began on offense and struggled to make it down the field. Zahir Washington had a big sack for the Bobcats on third down. Ashley Thompson had a interception to end the drive.
 
Colin Shields started the Bobcats' drive with a 24-yard pass to Jordan Kempf landing the Bobcats a yard away from the win. Ricky Fulton pushed his way through the Broncos' defense for the game-winning touchdown.
 
Colin Shields had 30 completions for 390 yards resulting in two touchdowns with his longest pass being 41 yards. He also had 39 rushing yards in the matchup. Stacian Livingston had a total of 38 rushing yards, with the longest being 14 for the Bobcats.
 
The Bobcats had 418 receiving yards during the game with Jordan Kempf having 227 yards, the longest being 41 yards. Daylan Jones had a total 93 yards with the longest being 30 yards and Kaleb Herbel being close behind with 37 total receiving yards.
 
Duke McClinton led the Bobcats in tackles with nine solo.  Mason Benjamin was not far behind with eight total and seven being solo.
 
The Bobcats will be home next Saturday, September 7, for Community Night as they take on the Central Methodist Eagles.