Sterling, Kan. - Sterling College won their second game of the season on Saturday afternoon over the Bobcats from Peru State College (Neb.). In the game at Smisor Stadium, the Warriors used a late fourth quarter touchdown to take the victory 17-10.

Peru State won the toss at the start of the game, electing to defer to the second half, so the Warriors started the game with the ball. On their first drive, the Warriors started at their own 20 yard line. The Warriors used 16 straight plays to get to the Peru State 20 before a bad snap put the Warriors back to the Peru State 42 yard line. On third down, the Warriors were unable to convert the third and very long and had to punt. The drive took 10:25 of the first quarter, eating away most of the first quarter clock. Peru State was unable to do much on their first possession and the first quarter ended in a 0-0 tie.

In the second quarter, a 30 yard Jo Jo Cureil punt return put the Warriors in stellar field position on the Peru State ten yard line. On the ensuing drive, three straight incomplete passes forced Doug Dunn onto the field for a successful field goal attempt. The field goal gave the Warriors a three point lead with 11:44 seconds remaining in the first half. Peru State answered on the next possession, driving from their 25 yard line for a touchdown. The touchdown was scored by Lance Steffen on a pass from Curtis Thompson, giving the Bobcats a 7-3 lead with 8:03 left to play in the half. Both teams could not muster a solid drive the rest of the half and the teams went into halftime with the Bobcats leading the Warriors 7-3.

Since they deferred in the first half, Peru State got the ball to open up the third quarter. On their first drive, the Bobcats used momentum off of a 20 yard passing gain from Thompson to Edelman to drive into field goal range. Bobcat's kicker Levi Cockle extended Peru State's lead to 10-3 with a made field goal. Warrior quarterback Keoki Burbank took over on the Warriors' next possession, gaining 21 yards on quarterback option. Burbank and the Warriors continued to drive and running back Rashard Colquitt finished the drive with a one yard touchdown run. The touchdown brought the Warriors even with Peru State 10-10. The rest of the quarter was a defensive struggle with both defenses refusing to give ground. At the end of the third quarter, the score was tied 10-10.

The defenses continued to dominate the game until the Warriors got the ball with 6:47 remaining in regulation. On the drive, Joey Garcia completed a pass to Curiel for 19 yards. Running back Jesse Bundrage then had a 10 yard carry to put the Warriors in the red zone. Curiel then put the Warriors ahead on a third down, 15 yard touchdown reception with the pass coming from Burbank. The seven point lead was all the Sterling defense needed, as they shut out the Bobcats the rest of the quarter. The final score was Sterling 17, Peru State 10.

Offensively, the Warriors were only able to muster 202 yards, but fought all four quarters. The Warrior offense was 2 for 3 on fourth down conversions, helping the Warriors to control 36:18 of the possession. Individually, Colquitt led the Warriors in rushing with 72 rushing yards, Curiel led the Warriors in receiving yards with 44, and Burbank had 45 yards passing.

Defensively, the Warriors only gave up 249 yards and made big stands in the second half to control the Bobcats. The Warriors were big on third down, only allowing the Bobcats to convert four times on 13 tries. Brock Frank led the Warrior defense with 8 tackles and one forced fumble. Tate Arnold also played well with 5 tackles and one interception.

By beating Peru State, Sterling improves to 2-0 on the season and is 1-0 in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC).

Next week, the Warriors travel to Ottawa University for a KCAC match-up. Game time is at 6:00 pm. The game will be aired on The Sterling College Sports Network which can be accessed on the Sterling College website, www.sterling.edu/athletics. Click on the Game Day Broadcasts tab on the left and you will find a link to The Sterling College Sports Network. Coverage begins approximately 20 minutes before kick-off.