Cade Ross and Gerald Monroe Shine in Graceland’s 43-35 Homecoming Victory
LAMONI, Iowa – Quarterback Cade Ross and wide receiver Gerald Monroe delivered standout performances to lead Graceland University to a thrilling 43-35 homecoming victory over Peru State on Saturday afternoon. Ross threw for 379 yards and six touchdowns, four of which went to Monroe, as the Yellowjackets overcame windy conditions and a resilient Bobcats team.
Ross's ability to manage the offense, adjusting plays at the line of scrimmage, and Monroe's timely receptions were pivotal in securing the win, especially during a decisive fourth quarter where Graceland scored three touchdowns.
"Really proud of the grit and determination we showed today," said Graceland head coach Patrick Ross. "We had to deal with lots of adversity, along with the 30-mile-an-hour winds. After a slow start, the offense really turned it on and scored three critical fourth-quarter touchdowns. QB Cade (Ross) was outstanding with ball placement, but more importantly, he checked plays at the line of scrimmage to put our offense in a position to score. The defense stepped up late and got that stop at the end, which helped seal the victory."
Game Highlights
Graceland opened the scoring with a safety early in the first quarter, trimming Peru State's lead to 7-2 after the Bobcats capitalized on a quick 40-yard touchdown pass from Colin Shields to Daylan Jones. Peru State extended its lead with a field goal, but Graceland's offense found its stride in the second quarter.
Ross connected with Monroe on a 35-yard touchdown pass, capping a seven-play, 87-yard drive. Though Graceland failed on the two-point conversion, the score narrowed the gap to 10-8. Later, Ross found Monroe again—this time on a one-yard touchdown pass—giving Graceland a 15-10 lead.
Peru State responded with a 44-yard touchdown run from Jordan Kempf and a late first-half touchdown pass, sending the Bobcats into halftime with a 24-15 lead.
Fourth Quarter Surge
The fourth quarter was where Graceland's offensive stars truly shined. Ross completed a 16-yard touchdown pass to Monroe early in the quarter, cutting Peru State's lead to 24-22. After a Peru State field goal made it 29-27, Ross orchestrated a 90-yard drive, connecting with Monroe for a 19-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 36-27.
Peru State fought back, with a 33-yard touchdown pass from Shields and a two-point conversion, bringing the score to 36-35. But with just over five minutes remaining, Ross made a crucial third-down conversion, avoiding a sack and finding Alex Gibbs for a 28-yard completion, keeping the clock running and extending the drive. Ross capped it off with a 24-yard touchdown pass, securing Graceland's 43-35 victory.
Graceland's defense held strong in the final moments, intercepting a pass from Shields on Peru State's last drive, sealing the win and sending the homecoming crowd home satisfied.
Looking Ahead
With the victory, Graceland improves to 4-2 (2-0 in conference play), while Peru State falls to 3-2 (1-1). The Yellowjackets will now enjoy a bye week before traveling to Dubuque, Iowa, to face Clarke University on October 19. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.