Jackets Blow Lid Off Of Peru Homecoming

Peru, NE - Despite not scoring in the second half, the Graceland football team ran its record to 3-2 Saturday following a 28-20 win over the Peru State Bobcats.

The Jackets scored all 28 of their points in the first half en route to the win but it was the defense that allowed only one Bobcat score in the second half, cementing the victory.

"That was a total team effort," remarked head coach Jeff Douglas after the win. "Our offense played a great first half and our defense held tight in the second half."

The Jackets came out swinging early in the first quarter controlling time of possession with a dominate ground game. Marcus Griffin tallied the first the first score of the game on a five yard TD run capping a five-play 50 yard drive.

The Bobcats would counter less than three minutes later with a touchdown of their own but would miss the point-after attempt allowing the Jackets to maintain a 7-6 lead.

Graceland would score on its next three possessions in the half, as running back Andrew Gayles scored on a fourth and one and later found paydirt from 12 yards out.

The biggest play of the afternoon may have come just prior to the final Jacket score as Graceland earned a first down following an illegal substitution play against the Bobcats. The Jackets took advantage of the Bobcat miscue on the next play as Matt Fink hooked up with Raysean Brown on a 49-yard touchdown strike.

The score gave the Jackets a 28-13 lead heading into the locker room at the intermission.

In the second half, both teams defenses dominated the contest. Graceland didn't score in the half and Peru mustered up only a third quarter touchdown. The fourth quarter was controlled by the two defenses and a late Dorian Smith interception salted away the 28-20 win.

"Any win is a great win but to get our first road conference win in three years is very gratifying," added Coach Douglas. "Peru State is a great option football team. We knew coming in we would have to play good assignment football to stop the option and we did.

"We've got a chance now to really put ourselves in the hunt moving forward," added Douglas. "Evangel will be a challenge next week and we've got to have a great week of practice to prepare for them."

The Jackets were led on offense once again by the running back tandem of Marcus Griffin and Andrew Gayles. Griffin finished the game with 133 yards on the ground and a touchdown and Gayles added 66 yards on twelve carries and two touchdowns.

Matt Fink was 6-15 through the air including the 49 yard TD strike to Raysean Brown. Brown led GU in receiving snaring two passes for 88 yards and the touchdown.

Defensively Billy Wendt once again paced Graceland. Wendt led the team with 14 tackles including 1.5 for a loss.

Johnny Carrasco added 11 tackles and safety Dorian Smith added ten to go along with his fourth pick of the season.

The Jackets now stand at 3-2 overall and 2-1 in HAAC play. Graceland hosts Evangel next Saturday in Lamoni beginning at 2pm.

Stay tuned to GUjackets.com for continuing coverage of the Graceland football team and all of Jacket athletics.