DULUTH, Minn. - The Martin Luther College football team was unable to overcome a poor start in a 56-21 loss at St. Scholastica on Saturday.

The Saints scored on their opening possession, and then took advantage of a pair of MLC fumbles in their own territory to build a 21-0 lead after one quarter.

MLC continued to struggle in the second quarter as CSS tacked on three more scores to take a 42-0 halftime lead.

The Knights found their footing in the second half thanks to Ian Paulsen touchdown passes to Michael Radue and Joshua Arndt, as well as a 31-yard Elliott Butler touchdown run, but the deficit was too great to overcome.

Paulsen finished the day 8-15 passing for 146 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Butler led the team with 87 yards rushing on 10 carries.

Tristan Pankow led the defensive effort with 10 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack. Joseph Herrewig and Jared Witkowiak each intercepted a pass for the Knights.

MLC fell to 4-3 on the season and 3-3 in UMAC play in defeat. CSS improved to 6-1 overall and 6-0 in conference play with the win.

The Knights will return to action on Saturday, October 21, when they host Northwestern (Minn.) in a game scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m.