DECORAH — After racing out to 36-point lead at halftime, the Central College football team won its American Rivers Conference opener at Luther College 63-26.
           
The Dutch (3-0, 1-0 conference) made it 16 wins in a row against the Norse (0-3, 0-1 conference) in a series that will at least temporarily discontinue as Luther moves out of the conference next season.
           
Running back Jase Grunder (junior, Tampico, Ill., Prophetstown HS) had a trio of first half rushing touchdowns, compiling 112 yards on 18 attempts.
           
The Dutch had 546 yards of total offense, including 264 yards passing by starting quarterback Hunter Hoffman (senior, Pecatonica, Ill.). He completed 18 of 22 passes and found wide receivers Keegan Glover (senior, Benton, Ill.) and Kyle Norton (senior, Vancouver, Wash., Evergreen HS) for first half touchdown passes.
           
Central added rushing touchdowns from running back Eli Rouse (sophomore, Madrid, Ballard HS) and freshman quarterback Colin Kerndt (Pella). Kerndt also connected with tight end Elam Parises (freshman, Parker, Colo., Mountain View HS) for a 32-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter.       
           
The Dutch got their first defensive touchdown of the season when freshman cornerback Nate Fischer (freshman, Anamosa) took an interception 50 yards to the house in the third quarter.
           
Fischer's was one of three Central interceptions as defensive backs Andrew Cotty (senior, Geneseo, Ill.) and Cole K. Johnson (junior, Grinnell) also made their first career interceptions.
           
Central's defense also had 7.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks. Freshman defensive end Tyler Groen (Frankfort, Ill., Lincoln-Way East HS) led the way with 3.0 TFL's, costing the Norse 14 yards.
           
Central is back home next Saturday against the University of Dubuque at 1 p.m. as part of Central's homecoming week festivities.