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Oles nipped in season opener by Luther College

Le Ann Finger
September 7, 2003

The St. Olaf football team opened the 2003 season on the road, falling to Luther College 23-10 in Decorah, Iowa.

The game began as Luther jumped out to an early start with two touchdowns in the first quarter. The Oles finally lit up the scoreboard with a Dan O'Malley 37 yard field goal early in the second quarter. The Oles would answer again after an 80 yard drive, when Aaron Stinar scored from the 1 yard line with 3:50 left in the first half. Kicker Dan O'Malley converted on the extra-point play, to pull the Oles within four points at halftime.

The teams exchanged "3 downs and out" possessions back and forth as the second half commenced. Then with 2:04 left in the third quarter, Luther QB Nate Rolland connected with Brad Paulsrud on an 83 yd pass to add six points to the Luther score. The extra point attempt failed. Luther scored on a Kyle Wickwire 23 yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to take a 23-10 lead that would eventually be the final score.

The Oles finished the game with 277 total yards. Quarterback Brian Senske (Sr., Apple Valley, Minn.) led the Oles with 205 passing yards, 16 completions and connected with receiver Kyle Fritzke four times for 80 yards. Defensive back Bill Germscheid (Sr., Apple Valley, Minn.) paced the Ole defense with 14 tackles (six solo) and one sack. Matt Willis (Sr., Des Moines, Iowa) had 10 tackles (seven solo).

The Oles home opener will be Saturday, September 13, against cross-town rival Carleton College in the first ever "Cereal Bowl" sponsored by Northfield cereal manufacturer Malt-O-Meal. Kickoff is at Manitou Field at 1:00 p.m.

Contact Le Ann Finger at 507-786-3834 or finger@stolaf.edu.