Fayette, Mo. - In a high scoring affair on Family Weekend, the Central Methodist football program fell in a shoot-out to Peru State College by a final score of 64-43 Saturday afternoon at Davis Field.
The Eagles now stand at 1-3 while the Bobcats improve to 3-1.
The 43 points are the most generated by Central since Oct. 30, 2021, when the Eagles scored 41 points against Missouri Valley College.
PSC struck first with a one-yard run that found the endzone of the 6:38 mark of the first quarter. Central got a pick up from their defense two possessions later, as a strip sack fumble by Brian Davis and a recovery by Derrick Kelley Jr. set the Eagles' offense up at the Peru State 25 yard line.
Five plays later, Jordan Gile found Elijah Jahr from 11 yards out for Central's first touchdown of the game. Peru State would score on their opening drive of the second quarter to regain a 13-7 lead. A missed extra point kept the deficit at just six.
Peru State looked poised to stretch their lead to double digits following a fumble by the Eagles inside their own 25. The Bobcats drove to the Eagle 11-yard line, before Malachi Livingston recorded an interception at the one and returned it back to the 27.
Central pulled out the bag of tricks on the first play of the ensuing drive, as a reversal put the ball in the hands of Max Thomas. Thomas found Zyon Slade over the middle for a 73 yard touchdown. The extra point gave CMU a 14-13 lead at the 11:25 mark of the second quarter.
The back-and-forth affair continued, as Peru State scored two drives later on a 42 yard touchdown through the air. Trailing 19-14, the Eagles' Andrew Laws blocked the extra point attempt, which was then scooped up and returned by Dont'e Lewis for two points at the other end of the field.
Gile found Dakota Troost on Central's next possession for a 38 yard touchdown. Following the extra point conversion, Central took a 23-19 lead over the Bobcats with just over a minute remaining until halftime.
The scoring continued as three plays into their possession, Peru dropped a 60 yard touchdown pass to take the lead right back at 26-23.
The final scoring sequence of the half happened with 20 seconds remaining. A quick pass from Gile to Dawan Lomax for 21 yards, put the Eagles in Peru State territory.
On the next play, Gile connected with Slade for a 44 yard touchdown, putting Central back out in front 29-26. In a mirrored play from earlier in the game, Central's extra point attempt was blocked and returned by the Bobcats for two points.
At the conclusion of a wild first half, CMU held a slight 29-28 lead at the break.
The Eagles received the second half kickoff, and drove 75 yards in eight plays. On a third-and-10 from midfield, Gile recorded his fourth touchdown pass of the game when he found Ja'Shon Williams for the score. With the touchdown, Central took a 36-28 lead in the early stages of the third.
Peru's passing game, once again, answered right back on the following drive with a 41 yard score. With the extra point, Central held just a 36-35 lead.
Following a three-and-out by the Eagles, Peru State scored on their next drive to take a 43-36 lead at the 8:15 mark of the third.
CMU was unable to answer on their next drive, but got another pick up from the defense. An interception by Kamarrion Ferguson was returned to Peru's side of the field, setting the offense up with excellent field position.
On the first play of the drive, Gile found Troost once again for a 47-yard touchdown pass and reception, tying the game at 43-43.
The fourth quarter was the turning point, as Peru State scored 21 unaswered points. The Bobcats utilized back-to-back interceptions early and scored three touchdowns in less than five minutes to take the air out of the game.
Central's offense was unable to generate any additional points, as Peru would go on to win, 64-43.
Despite the loss, CMU had one of its best offensive outings, racking up 485 total yards and six total touchdowns.
Gile completed 14 passes for 279 total yards and five touchdowns.
Slade led the receiving core with three catches for 131 total yards and two touchdowns. Troost matched Slade with two touchdowns on three receptions for 95 yards.
Williams and Lomax each hauled in a team-high four catches, including 83 yards for Williams. Lomax finished with 40 receiving yards and also carried the ball 21 times for 93 yards rushing.
The trio of Ferguson, Malakhi Edwards, and Livingston all recorded interceptions in the game.
Treyvion Hourel Jr. led the defense with 13 tackles and a fumble recovery, while Brian Davis and Antonio Delgado each forced fumbles.
Central heads back out on the road to take on William Woods University Saturday, Sept 27 at 7:30 p.m. in Fulton, Mo.
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