When thinking about St. Olaf Athletics, it is impossible to ignore the football rivalry with Carleton College that evolved into an annual “Cereal Bowl” showdown. The annual Carleton versus St. Olaf football game was named the Cereal Bowl in 2003, as Malt-O-Meal sponsored the event and donated cereal to all attendees and donated pre-season breakfast meals to both teams, according to a 2003 St. Olaf News article. 

The Cereal Bowl winner is rewarded with the 2003 Cereal Bowl traveling trophy from Malt-O-Meal, along with the famous “Goat Trophy” that, according to an article in The Olaf Messenger, formerly known as The Manitou Messenger, from 2004, was made by a St. Olaf carpenter in 1931. The trophies are currently with the Carleton Knights after their 35-28 win in the September 2025 Cereal Bowl. According to Knights Athletics News, St. Olaf still leads the overall series, 57-47-1, going all the way back to the first Carleton and St. Olaf game in 1919. 

This iconic rivalry is a century-old tradition, and the Cereal Bowl encapsulates the spirit of Northfield — its two colleges and cereal factory, whose iconic sugary cereal smell is always drifting across St. Olaf’s campus. When looking at the history of St. Olaf football, it is impossible to ignore the significance of the Cereal Bowl, as well as all the trophies and traditions that come with it.