TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - The Indiana State football team got its 2010 season started off with a bang as they crushed the Pumas of St. Joseph's College 57-7 Saturday night at Memorial Stadium in front of 5,158 fans.

After struggling early the past few seasons, the Sycamores got things started quickly with a 22-yard touchdown run by senior running back Darrius Gates.

The Pumas offense attempted to respond on its first possession as they lined up for a field goal, however after a false start penalty the Pumas were forced to punt.

With 6:21 remaining in the first quarter senior wide receiver Bryant Kent found the end zone on a 22 yard run of his own. Freshman kicker Cory Little missed ensuing PAT giving the Sycamores a 13-0 lead.

The Sycamores extended their lead with 41 seconds remaining in the opening quarter when Little connected on a 24 yard field goal to put the Sycamores up 16-0.

Junior defensive lineman Rod Hardy even found the end zone for the Sycamores with 7:48 remaining in the first half when he rushed for three yards for the score and put the Sycamores up 23-0.

18 seconds later the Pumas offense came to life when St. Joseph's receiver Mack Ogletree connected with Scott Chapman for a 61-yard touchdown pass to cut the Sycamore lead to 23-7.

The Puma offense began to gain momentum and move the ball toward the end of the first half, however, it came to a screeching halt with 34 seconds remaining in the first half.

The Pumas attempted to punt from deep in their own territory. The Punt was blocked and rolled into the end zone where it was recovered for a touchdown by junior wide receiver Justin Hilton to extend the Sycamore lead to 30-7.

The Sycamore offense then took over an put on a show of their own as they scored four more unanswered rushing touchdowns to give the Sycamores the win by a final score of 57-7.

This marked the first game the Sycamores scored more than 50 points in a game since the 1999 season.

The Sycamores finished the game with 514 yards of total offense and 371 rushing yards. Junior quarterback Ronnie Fouch ended the night 10-21 for 143 yards in his Sycamore debut.

The Pumas were able to earn 242 total yards with 138 coming in the air.

The Sycamores also set a new school record with seven rushing touchdowns.

Gates ran for a total of 165 yards and three touchdowns while freshman running back Shakir Bell rushed for 133 and a touchdown, the first Sycamore duo to both be over 100 yards in the same game since 2004.

Sophomore running back George Cheeseborough also added a touchdown for the Sycamores.

On the defensive side, freshman defensive back Larry King racked up eight tackles and a sack for the Sycamores while sophomore linebacker Aaron Archie added seven tackles.

The Sycamores will next be in action Saturday, Sept. 11 on the road at Cincinnati with a 12:05 p.m. kickoff.