Oles roll at PLU, 46-7

Mike Ludwig
September 12, 2009

PUYUALLUP, Wash. - John Haberman threw four touchdown passes and Leon Clark rushed for 166 yards and a touchdown to lead St. Olaf to a 46-7 win over host Pacific Lutheran University on Saturday afternoon.

Haberman had three touchdown tosses, including two to Carson Jones, in the first half as St. Olaf led 24-0 at the break. The Oles outgained PLU 239-47 in the frame.

The St. Olaf defense was solid in the win limiting PLU to minus-79 yards rushing, helped by a few bad snaps, and 104 yards overall.

St. Olaf rushed for 298 yards and had 463 yards of total offense while dominating time of possession, 40:58 - 19:02.

PLU looked like it was going to take an early lead after returning the opening kick to the St. Olaf 30-yard line. After surrendering a first down on the ensuing play, the Ole defense stopped the host Lutes on the next four plays.

The offense then marched 79 yards on nine plays, capped by a 7-yard score from Haberman to Jared Mueller. After a stop from their defense, the Oles scored on their next possession as well on a 20-yard connection from Haberman to Carson Jones.

Jones was on the receiving end of another score, from 29 yards out, with 54 seconds left in the half to make it 24-0.

St. Olaf made it 30-0 on a Leon Clark four-yard TD run on the opening drive of the second half. PLU then connected for its only score of the day, a 62-yard reception by Greg Ford.

The Oles other two scores from Kevin Foss, who caught a four-yard pass from Haberman for a touchdown in the third quarter and rushed to the end zone from six yards in the fourth.

Haberman finished the day 17-of-27 for 147 yards and an interception in two-plus quarter.

News/Notes
- St. Olaf has now won 17 of its last 18 non-conference games, dating to 2001.

- The 46 points allowed by PLU was the most ever in a season opener.

- Jerry Olszewski, in his second season as the Oles' head coach, is now 8-4. The team's 46 points are the most under Olzsewski.

- Carson Jones, who moved from defensive back to receiver this year, has five touchdown receptions through two games. Ryan St. John had a team-high three touchdown catches in 2008.

- St. Olaf quarterback John Haberman's seven touchdowns in two games are two shy his total from 2008.

- St. Olaf has now started at least 2-0 for each of the last five seasons. St. Olaf is 39-13 since 2004.

- St. Olaf opens MIAC play at the University of St. Thomas next Saturday at 1 p.m.

Contact media relations specialist Mike Ludwig at (507) 786-3834 or ludwigm@stolaf.edu.