Luther’s Cory Wirth missed a 21-yard field goal as time expired, giving the Central College football team a 23-21 win Saturday in a game heard live on 92.1 KRLS.

It was a back-and-forth affair, with the teams trading scores on the blue turf at Carlson Stadium in Decorah.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Dutch broke the ice with a school-record tying 13th field goal of the season by freshman Jon Alberts, only to see the Norse drive for a touchdown and take a 7-3 lead into halftime.

The Dutch got an 11-yard touchdown run by quarterback Blaine Hawkins to start the third quarter, then added a Hawkins 30-yard toss to P.J. Norem, but trailed 21-17 midway through the fourth quarter.

Alberts had a field goal blocked, his first miss of the year, then Central stopped the Norse and drove the field for a 3-yard touchdown pass from Hawkins to Donny Groezinger, with Alberts having his extra point blocked.

That gave Luther a chance to drive for a game winning field goal. They converted on four fourth down conversions on the drive, including a near interception that was tipped for an improbable reception. With the clock under three seconds, Cory Wirth was brought in for the 21-yard chip shot, which he missed wide right for the Central win.

On a tough day for the Central offense, Hawkins led the way with 16 carries for 87 yards rushing, and he was 15-of-30 passing for 230 yards. Tyler Olson had 20 tackles.

The Dutch improve to 6-3 on the season and sit alone in second place in the Iowa Conference at 5-2. They’ll close the year next Saturday at home against Dubuque.