NAIA-CFB Game Preview: Clarke (IA) Pride (1-4) vs. Peru State Bobcats (3-2)

Venue & Logistics

• Stadium: Oak Bowl, Peru, Nebraska (home of Peru State).
• Kickoff Time: 2:00 PM CDT.
• Capacity: ~4,000.
• Surface: Natural grass.
• Event: Peru State Homecoming Game.

Weather Forecast (Peru, NE)

• Conditions: Partly sunny, mild fall afternoon.
• Temperature at kickoff: ~21°C (70°F).
• Winds: 10–15 km/h from the northwest.
• Chance of rain: 15%.
• Impact: Ideal football weather — no disruptions expected.

Injury Report

• Clarke Pride (1–4):
  • QB1 healthy, averaging ~270 passing yards/game.
  • RB1 questionable with a hamstring strain.
  • Defense missing one starting linebacker (out for season).
• Peru State Bobcats (3–2):
• QB1 healthy, averaging ~200 passing yards/game.
• RB1 probable after minor ankle tweak.
• WR1 healthy, coming off a 100‑yard performance vs. Central Methodist.
• Defense missing one rotational defensive back.

Key Player Matchups

• Clarke QB vs. Peru State Secondary:
  Clarke averages 271.7 passing yards/game. Peru State’s secondary has been opportunistic, forcing turnovers in 3 of 5 games.
• Peru State RB vs. Clarke Run Defense:
  Clarke has struggled against the run, allowing 608 rushing yards in just 3 games (2025 stats). Peru State averages 175 rushing yards/game.
• Clarke WR1 vs. Peru State CB1:
  Clarke’s WR1 (averaging 85 yards/game) will be shadowed by Peru’s top corner.
• QB Mobility:
  Peru State’s QB has added 3 rushing TDs this season, giving them a dual‑threat edge.

Recent Team Form

• Clarke (1–4):
  • L vs. Mount Marty (37–22).
  • L at Missouri Valley (28–24).
  • L vs. MidAmerica Nazarene (51–26).
  • L at Graceland.
  • W vs. Culver‑Stockton (only win).
  • Trend: Offense can move the ball (394.7 YPG), but defense is giving up nearly 39 PPG.
• Peru State (3–2):
• L vs. Oklahoma Panhandle State (10–9).
• W vs. #16 Baker (31–17).
• W vs. Missouri Valley (16–8).
• W at Central Methodist (64–43).
• L at #3 Benedictine.
• Trend: Offense averaging 30+ PPG in wins, defense opportunistic but inconsistent.

Series History

• All‑Time Head‑to‑Head: Peru State leads the series.
• Recent Meetings:
  • 2024: Peru State defeated Clarke.
  • 2023: Peru State won by double digits.
• Trend: Peru State has won the last several meetings, often by two scores.

Betting Trends

• Peru State Bobcats:
  • 3–2 ATS this season.
  • 3 of last 5 games have gone over due to offensive explosiveness.
• Clarke Pride:
• 1–4 ATS this season.
• 4 of last 5 games have gone over due to defensive struggles.

Historical Betting Results

• 2024: Peru State –10, won 38–20 → Cover, Over.
• 2023: Peru State –7, won 31–14 → Cover, Under.
• 2022: Peru State –6, won 28–17 → Cover, Under.

Game Odds

Clarke Pride                       54

Peru State Bobcats          – 14

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, October 3, 2025