After the Owls scored their most-ever points at North Campus Athletic Complex in a 67-28 defeat to then-No. 19 Baker University last Saturday, William Woods University (1-6) will look to add more history on what's already a historic weekend for the school, when it faces Peru State College (4-2) at 1 p.m. Saturday on WWU's first-ever Homecoming weekend.

In the Owls' high-scoring Week 8 loss to Baker in Fulton, they not only scored their most points at home but also had their most-ever touchdowns (four), rushing yards (71) and most extended play (a 52-yard pass completion from Gabe Serri to Jalen Becerra) at home.

Against the Wildcats last week, William Woods notched 313 yards of total offense, 242 yards through the air and 71 yards through the ground. WWU punted five times, its least amount at home, and tied for its fewest in any game. Baker had 538 yards of offense, 326 yards rushing and 212 yards passing. BU punted one time.

Serri scored 24 points last Saturday, four passing touchdowns. His four touchdowns and 24 points were the most by an Owl at home and were WWU's second-most home or away.

For a second straight game, the Serri to Becerra connection accounted for a good chunk of Woods' offense, and they combined for even more yards against Baker (140) than they did against then-No. 17 MidAmerica Nazarene University (122). Versus the Wildcats, Serri completed 20-of-39 passes for 242 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions, and Becerra had six receptions for 140 yards and two touchdowns.

Through seven games, William Woods is scoring 15.9 points per game. The Owls are averaging 233.3 yards of offense per game, 204 yards passing and 29.3 yards rushing. Opponents are scoring 57.6 points per game and averaging 524.3 yards of offense per game, 320.6 yards rushing and 203.7 yards passing.

The Owls are ranked fifth in the NAIA in tackles (539), ninth in punts (No. - yards) (56-1,596) and interception return average (23.4), 11th in penalty first downs (18), 13th in kick returns (No. - yards (38-651), 18th in interception returns (No. - yards) (7-164), 27th in passing touchdowns (14) and punt return average (12), 31st in completion-attempt-interception rate (116-254-7) and 33rd in defensive touchdowns (one).

Serri leads WWU in passing. He is 104-of-229 through the air for 1,269 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has thrown seven interceptions. Serri is averaging 181.3 passing yards per game and is completing 45.4 percent of his passes. Chris Hunter is WWU's leader in rushing. He has 123 yards on 56 carries and averages 17.6 rushing yards per game. Hunter has no rushing touchdowns. He averages 2.2 yards per carry. Troy Oliver leads the Owls in receptions with 43 for 563 yards. He is averaging 6.1 receptions per game and 80.4 receiving yards per game. Carter Holloway is WWU's leader in tackles with 67 and has one forced fumble. He is averaging 9.6 tackles per game. Sovereign Morton is second on the team in tackles with 43. He leads the team with 2.5 sacks and has four tackles for loss and a fumble recovery.

Saturday's football game is the first matchup of a tripleheader Homecoming/Hall of Fame weekend for Owls athletics. Following that contest are two more games at North Campus Athletic Complex, with WWU women's and men's soccer facing the University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis - women's at 6 p.m. and men's at 8 p.m. Before that day full of sports games is the 2024 WWU Athletics Hall of Fame dinner and auction at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Anderson Arena. William Woods Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024 includes three individuals - Jodie Peacock (women's golf), Alex Cann (baseball) and Anna Houston (women's track and field) - and two teams - 2016-17 women's tennis and 2013-14 men's 4x400-meter relay.

Speaking of Homecoming, Peru State is coming off a 28-21 win over William Penn University in its Homecoming game last Saturday in Peru, Neb. The Statesmen led 14-7 at halftime, but the Bobcats outscored WPU 21-7, including 14-0 in the fourth quarter to seal their come-from-behind win. Before that matchup, PSC lost 43-35 at Graceland University Oct. 5 in Lamoni, Iowa, won 34-9 over Clarke University Sep. 28 in Dubuque, Iowa, had its home game versus Missouri Baptist University Sep. 21 canceled due to weather, lost 53-6 at MidAmerica Nazarene University Sep. 14 in Olathe, Kan., won 35-3 over Central Methodist University Sep. 7 in Peru, Neb. and won 27-21 in double overtime at Hastings College Aug. 31 in Hastings, Neb. 

In the win over William Penn last Saturday, Peru State had 357 yards of offense, 188 yards through the air and 169 yards rushing. William Penn finished the game with 336 yards of offense, 276 yards passing and 60 yards rushing. Peru State quarterback Colin Shields was 19-of-29 through the air for 188 yards and one touchdown. The Bobcats' Stacian Livingston rushed for 128 yards and no touchdowns, Grant Gutschow had 18 carries for 61 yards and two touchdowns, Kaleb Herbel had six receptions for 53 yards and no touchdowns and Jakari Starling had seven tackles, including 0.5 tackles for loss.

This season, Peru State is scoring 27.5 points per game. The Bobcats are averaging 377.7 yards of offense, 218.3 yards passing and 159.3 yards rushing. Opponents are scoring 25 points per game against Peru State. They are averaging 339 yards of offense, 223 yards passing and 116 yards rushing. 

Shields leads Peru State in passing. He is 101-of-199 for 1,237 yards and nine touchdowns. He has thrown six interceptions and has completed 50.8 percent of his passes.

Livingston leads the Bobcats in rushing, averaging 70.3 yards per game on 83 carries. He has 422 yards rushing this season and has scored two touchdowns. Livingston is averaging 5.1 yards per carry. Ricky Fulton has PSU's second-most rushing yards, with 190 yards on 31 carries. He has scored two rushing touchdowns and owns the Bobcats' longest rush this season, 66 yards against CMU on Sep. 7.

Herbel is Peru State's leader in receptions with 25. Jordan Kempf has a team-high 402 receiving yards and 67 receiving yards per game, and Daylan Jones has a team-high four touchdown receptions. 

Duke McClinton is PSU's leader in tackles with 33. He is averaging 5.5 tackles per game. McClinton has 2.5 tackles for loss and an interception. Ja-Quez Oliver is second on the team in tackles with 27. He has two pass breakups and one tackle for loss. Zahir Washington leads Peru State in sacks with two. He has five tackles for loss and one fumble recovery.