NORTHFIELD, Minn. - St. Olaf running back J.J. Strnad rushed for a 66-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage, but Luther outlasted the visiting Oles 34-16 on Saturday at Carlson Stadium.

Strnad rushed for 80 yards on five carries in the loss for St. Olaf (1-1), which led 7-0 and 10-7 in its final non-conference test. 

The Norse (1-1) had answers for the quick St. Olaf start. Luther countered the Strnad touchdown with a touchdown on its first play from scrimmage as well, a 65-yard run by Christian Moore to make it 7-7 just 42 seconds into the game. Moore rushed for 173 yards on 17 carries. 

Luther controlled the ball, holding a 459-153 advantage in rushing yards and a 37:22-22:38 mark in time of possession. The Norse completed only one pass, a short throw of four yards.

St. Olaf quarterback Nate Penz was 14-of-35 for 137 yards and a touchdown. Penz connected with Nate Bauer with 1:19 left in regulation. 

Brice Peterson led the St. Olaf defense with four solo and 11 assisted tackles. Seamus Walsh had 2.5 tackles for a loss, including a sack. 

St. Olaf opens MIAC play next week with a home game against No. 19 Bethel University, which lost a 24-14 decision against Wartburg College on Saturday.