DULUTH, Minn. (WLCSports.com) – Wisconsin Lutheran College kicked off its 2026 season in dominant fashion, securing a 37-14 non-conference victory over St. Scholastica on Saturday at Walt Hunting Stadium. The win marked the Warriors' first season-opening triumph since 2015 and represented the third-highest point total in a season opener in program history.

The Warriors (1-0) controlled the tempo throughout, outgaining the Saints (0-1) 376-182 in total offensive yards. WLC's defense was equally impressive, stifling CSS's ground game to a net total of -4 rushing yards.

Wisconsin Lutheran jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter when a high snap on a Saints punt resulted in a safety, giving the Warriors a 2-0 edge.

In the second quarter, WLC broke the game open with three unanswered touchdowns. Sophomore Roman Morales (Fort Worth, Texas) connected with sophomore Jakota Hase (Charlotte, N.C.) for a 34-yard touchdown pass to cap an 11-play, 80-yard drive. Later in the period, Morales found senior Keith Johnson (Amarillo, Texas) for a 42-yard score, finishing a 95-yard march. Just before halftime, junior Liam Heiges (Appleton, Wis.) plunged into the end zone from one yard out to give Wisconsin Lutheran a 23-0 lead at the break.

The Warriors extended the lead to 30-0 in the third quarter on a one-yard touchdown run by Morales. St. Scholastica finally answered late in the third when Eddie Dossantos hit Brayden Dent for a 42-yard touchdown. The Saints added another score in the fourth quarter on a 59-yard strike from Dossantos to Dent, cutting the deficit to 30-14.

However, WLC sealed the victory late in the fourth quarter. After a fumble recovery by graduate Davion Towns (Pensacola, Fla.) at the CSS five-yard line, Heiges scored his second one-yard touchdown of the day to finalize the 37-14 score.

Wisconsin Lutheran was led offensively by Heiges, who anchored the ground attack with a career-high 181 rushing yards and two scores on 29 carries. Morales completed 10 of 23 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns in his first collegiate start. Johnson was the primary target in the air, hauling in five receptions for a career-high 85 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, senior Chris Korb (Kirkland, Ill.) and junior Patrick Manning-Davis Jr. (Dallas, Texas) led the way with five tackles each, with Korb adding an interception and a sack.

For CSS, Dossantos threw for 170 yards and two touchdowns but was intercepted twice. Blake Fox led the way on the ground with 29 yards on four carries. Dent had a standout performance with three catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns. Isaac Johnson led all defenders with 13 total tackles.

The Warriors will return to Milwaukee for their home opener next Saturday, September 12 against Ripon (0-1). Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Raabe Stadium. The contest, which is also Youth Football Night, marks the fifth all-time meeting between the Warriors and Red Hawks and the first since 2013.