The Luther football team traveled to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire for the 2021 season opener for both teams. The game was the first for the Blugolds since 2019 after missing the entire 2020 schedule due to COVID-19. Luther was able to play one game last spring, but lost the entire fall schedule.

Eau Claire jumped out to a quick 21-0 lead in the first quarter en route to a 45-14 victory. Blugold running back Austin Belot led a rushing attack that accumulated 493 yards. He carried the football 17 times and scored on touchdown runs of 80, 84 and 54. His single game total of 364 yards was a new school record.

Michael Lorento and Andre Atkins connected on both of Luther's touchdowns. The first was a 35-yard strike early in the second quarter, the the second was a 16-yarder late in the fourth frame. Atkins finished the game with six catches for 97 yards. Lorento was 9 of 23 for 107 yards.

The Norse tallied 127 yards on the ground led by Vershon Brooks with 91 and Parker Kizer with 54.

Luther returns to action one week from today when it will host St. Olaf College in Carlson Stadium at 2:00 p.m. The Oles lost their season opener to Central College in Northfield by a final of 46-27.