(Hastings, NE) – In the kickoff game of the 2024 Hastings College football season, the Broncos saw their 21-13 lead evaporate late, before falling 27-21 in overtime to Peru State.
After a scoreless first quarter that had five consecutive punts, the Broncos put together a drive that took them down to the Bobcat one-yard line after an eight-yard gain on first-and-goal put them right on the doorstep. On the next three plays, Hastings ran it twice and threw it once, but the Bobcat defense stood tall, forcing a turnover on downs.
After a quick three-and-out, Hastings got great field position and was able to break through to capture a 7-0 lead, as sophomore running back Josh Ray, who had a game high 138 yards on 30 carries and three touchdowns, ran in for a 20-yard touchdown.
Peru State scored a touchdown right before halftime, as a 41-yard pass play helped lead to a two-yard touchdown run. They missed the extra point, however, so Hastings held a 7-6 lead going into the break.
Hastings had a promising drive to start the second half, highlighted by runs from Ray and a 19-yard completion from senior quarterback Carson Kudlacek to senior receiver Ethan Wilborn. Facing a fourth-and-four, Kudlecek kept the ball, but only gained a yard.
Similar to Hastings, Peru State moved the ball well on their first possession of the half, but senior defensive back Marcus Dustin intercepted a pass that would ultimately lead to a one-yard touchdown run from Ray to give the Broncos a 14-6 lead.
The Bobcats next possession carried over into the fourth quarter, and after converting a fourth-and-two to open the period, they struck on a 39-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 14-13.
Hastings next possession was a 17-play, 69-yard drive that would take almost eight minutes of game action. Ray would score his third and final touchdown of the game to take a 21-13 lead with 6:22 left.
Needing to generate offense quickly, the Bobcats went to the air game on each play of their next possession. While they only converted 3-7 passes, all three were for substantial yardage, including the 30-yard touchdown reception. They converted the two-point conversion to tie the game at 21.
On the ensuing kickoff, a squib kick was mishandled by Hastings and was recovered by Peru State at the Hastings 31-yard line. A turnover on downs gave it back to the Broncos, but the Bobcats intercepted a pass on third down, returning it to the Peru State 44.
Peru State marched the ball down to the Hastings 19, but they missed a 36-yard field goal in the final minute of regulation, leading to overtime.
Hastings got a first down to open overtime, but a holding penalty set the offense back, eventually leading to a fourth-and-28. The Bobcats nearly ended the game with a pick-six, but Kudlacek’s hustle forced the Bobcat offense to win it.
A 24-yard strike on first down set up a first-and-goal at the one yard line and the Bobcats would run it in on the next play to win it 27-21 in overtime.
Hastings will be back at home next Saturday, September 7th as they’ll host Northwestern at 1 pm on Lloyd Wilson Field.
