Courtesy of St. Olaf Athletics
DECORAH, Iowa - Leon Clark rushed for 131 yards and two scores while Dan Dobson completed 20-of-24 passes with two touchdowns as the St. Olaf football team defeated Luther College 28-21 on Saturday in the season opener for each team.
Dobson's 27-yard touchdown strike to Antonio Jennings with 2:27 left in regulation -- the duo's second scoring hookup of the day -- all but sealed the win for the Oles.
Dobson found Jennings, who finished the day with four receptions for 45 yards, for a five-yard score top open the fourth quarter to make it 21-7.
Clark rushed 24 times for his 131 yards. His two scores -- from two and three yards out -- helped the Oles overcome a 7-3 deficit to lead 15-7 at the half.
Luther put together two long scoring drives in the fourth quarter to make it interesting. The Norse went 75 yards on 13 plays for the first score and 13 plays for 60 yards to get within seven with 15 seconds left in the game. Each drive was capped by touchdown throws from Chris Reynolds.
Reynolds went 27-for-34 for 197 yards and the two TD tosses.
The St. Olaf defense was paced by Matt Olson, who was in on 16 tackles. Luther's Kyle McGivney had six solo and 19 assisted takedowns in the loss.
St. Olaf (1-0, 0-0 MIAC) hosts Simpson College next Saturday at Manitou Field.