No. 16 Baker Opens 2025 Season Under the Lights at Peru State
BALDWIN CITY – After earning its second straight conference title and postseason appearance, No. 16 Baker football will kick off its 2025 season with a matchup at Peru State on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. in Peru, Neb.
Last year, the Wildcats won nine games (9-2), earned a share of the Heart South title and reached the NAIA FCS all for the second straight year. BU went 5-1 in conference play and forced a three-way tie for the league championship after defeating MidAmerica Nazarene, 20-14 on the road in the second-to-last game of the regular season.
As the NAIA's all-time winningest program with a total of 655 wins, the Wildcats won eight or more games for the 11th time since 2012 and claimed their second straight Heart championship to bring their program total to 21 conference titles.
Baker returns five all-conference players from last year's roster, including the 2024 Heart South Defensive Player of the Year in Zac Kramer and kicker Seth Simpson, who was a finalist for the Fred Mitchell Award. Offensive lineman Aidan Palmer joined Kramer and Simpson on the All-Heart South First Team, while quarterback Truman Juelsgaard and defensive back Cameron Porter earned honorable-mention honors. Juelsgaard was the 2023 Heart Co-Offensive Player of the Year.
Peru State comes into Saturday's matchup with a game already under its belt after facing Oklahoma Panhandle State last week in the Oak Bowl. The Bobcats fell, 10-9 in a defensive battle with four field goals, including three from PSC, and just one touchdown in the game. PSC totaled 274 yards of offense with 147 of that coming on the ground.
The Bobcats went 7-3 last season and won three of their four home games of 2024. After the loss last week, they have now won six of their last 9 matchups in the Oak Bowl.
Kickoff for Saturday's game is set for 6 p.m. from the Oak Bowl in Peru, Neb. A live stream of the game can be found on The Urban Edge Network and live stats are available here.
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