PERU, Neb. — Peru State dug itself out of a 12-0 first-quarter deficit to beat William Penn 20-12 on Saturday to pick its sixth win of the season.

William Penn stared the game by scoring on a four-play, 81-yard drive for a quick 6-0 lead. The Statesmen ended the first quarter with a three-play, 33-yard drive to go ahead 12-0 but Peru State’s Fred Whitted blocked the point-after attempt to keep the score at 12-0.

In the second quarter, Peru’s offense came alive as Nate Moore found the end zone on a 3-yard run to pull the Bobcats within five points, 12-7. Peru State then capitalized on another long drive as Curtis Thompson hooked up with Cody Wallinger for a 6-yard TD pass that ended a 10-play, 80-scoring drive that gave the Bobcats their first lead at 13-12.

Peru State held a 13-12 lead at the half, and maintained that lead until the fourth when Thompson hit Mike Brown on a 7-yard connection with 7:04 remaining in the game to extend Peru State’s lead to 20-12.

AdvertisingThe Bobcats finished the game with 22 first downs and 321 total yards in 72 plays. On the ground, the Bobcats rushed 50 times for 117 yards and Thompson was 14 for 22 passing for 204 yards and two touchdowns. Peru fumbled four times, losing the ball twice, but forced the Statesmen into three turnovers. The Bobcats owned the time of possession 35:48-17:54.

Moore was the leading rusher for the Bobcats with 50 yards on 20 carried with one touchdown while John Noojin added 38 yards on 17 attempts. Marshal Freeman was the leading receiver with 60 yards on three catches as Mike Brown had four catches for 59 yards and a touchdown.

On the defensive side, Ryan Newell and Preston Bruss led the Bobcats with double-digit tackles. Newell finished with 16, including one tackle for a loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Bruss added 15 tackles while Derek Derr pitched in with nine tackles. Max Virus picked off the Statesmen (5-5) for his seventh interception of the season. He is currently ranked first in the NAIA for total interceptions.

The Bobcats (6-3) return to action next Saturday as they travel south to take on Benedictine College.