DECORAH, Iowa - Luther scored 21 unanswered second half points on the way to a 44-20 non-conference football win over St. Olaf at Carlson Stadium, which featured the debut of its blue turf on Saturday afternoon.
Troy Peterson had a game-high 14 receptions for 150 yards to lead the Ole offense.
Tommy Fleetham had 10 tackles and
Max Karpinske an interception to go with four tackles to pace the St. Olaf defense.
St. Olaf rallied from down 10-0, and cut the Luther lead to 17-14 with a
Jorgen Salveson touchdown reception with 8:56 to play in the third quarter. The Norse then ran off three straight scoring drives of 62, 69 and 32 yards to extend the lead to 37-14 early in the fourth quarter.
Ricardo Johnson III had the Oles' final TD run, a three-yard score, with 5:47 left.
Khayleb Willis scored the first St. Olaf touchdown on a six yard play early in the second quarter. Johnson III was 21-of-40 passing for 295 yards and the TD strike to Salveson.
The Norse were led by Nick Lavens and quarterback Ian Kuykendall. Lavens rushed for 92 yards and a touchdown, while Kuykendall threw for two scores and ran for another and 89 yards in the victory.
St. Olaf will open MIAC play at home next week against Saint John's University at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
