Box Score TYLER, Texas - The Belhaven University Blazers started off the Hal Mumme era Saturday afternoon with a 44-6 victory over Texas College, riding a 29-point first quarter to pull away from the Steers early.

Greg Livingston and Conner Preston started off the scoring for Belhaven, taking the opening drive down for a quick touchdown just 80 seconds into the game. Livingston caught his first of three touchdown grabs from Preston on a 4-yard play and then Kasey Akins grabbed the 2-point conversion to put Belhaven ahead 8-0.

Livingston would go on to finish with 10 catches for 96 yards to go along with his three receiving touchdowns.

Four minutes later, Belhaven added another touchdown pass, this time with Preston finding Darien Thomas, who layed out for a diving 36-yard touchdown grab, to put Belhaven ahead by 15.

After the two quick scores by the Blazers offense, Belhaven's special teams and defense got into the scoring action keeping the offense off the field for the remainder of the quarter, while expanding the lead to 29-0. First, Livingston returned a Steers punt back 39 yards for a touchdown and then Justin Munoz scooped up a fumble deep in Texas College territory and returned it five yards for the score.

"The score was nice, our defense I thought rose to the occasion," said Mumme. "On offense we were okay but we aren't where we want to be yet."

Livingston and Preston put together their second touchdown connection of the day early in the second quarter with a 19-yard play, which extended the Green and Gold's lead to 36-0, where it stayed for the remainder of the half.

Preston finished 32-of-49 for 297 yards and four touchdowns.

The scoring slowed down in the second half with just 14 combined points between the two schools. However, the duo of Prestona nd Livingston connected one final time with six minutes left in the third quarter as Livingston reeled in a 2-yard touchdown pass. Akins then caught a Preston pass for his second 2-point conversion of the game to go up 44-0.

"I think the heat got to everybody. Early on we had a lot of energy but you could tell at halftime coming out that we were slugish. Offensively we've got to catch the ball a lot better. We had some alignment issues and had too many penalties."

Texas College was able to get on the scoreboard late in the third quarter, scoring a touchdown but failing to convert a 2-point conversion attempt.

Belhaven will return to action next Saturday with it's home opener against Mississippi College. The Blazers and Choctaws are slated for a 7 p.m. start at Newell Field.