It was billed as the NAIA's Football Game of the Week and the game definitely lived up to its billing. 

In the end, after several big scoring swings for each team, the tenth-ranked Benedictine College (BC) Ravens defeated the 23rd-ranked Bobcats 45-41 as the 'Cats failed to convert on the last play of the game.

The Ravens improved to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) while Peru State fell to 3-1 and 1-1 in the HAAC.

The statistics were as close as the score, with Peru State holding a slight edge in several categories. The Bobcats had one more first down as they had 29, compared to the Ravens' 28. 

Total yardage was in favor of Peru State 574 to 535, but the big difference was how the team's gained their yardage. The Bobcats were more balanced as they gained 365 yards rushing and 209 yards through the air. Benedictine had 473 yards passing and only 62 yards rushing.

The turnovers were even as both teams had two. This was the first time this season that Peru State finished with more penalties as the Bobcats were flagged six times for 44 yards while Benedictine committed five penalties for 37 yards.

Peru State punted three times averaged 37.3 yards while the Ravens punted four times averaging 35.8 yards per punt.

The Bobcats will be hosting the Avila University Eagles next Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Thomas Memorial Field at Jug Brown Stadium on the Falls City High School campus. 

The Eagles were defeated by Baker University yesterday 63-17 and fell to 2-2 overall and 0-2 in the HAAC.