HUNTSVILLE ? Senior quarterback Rhett Bomar completed 14 of 22 passes for 198 yards and four touchdowns playing only the first half as Sam Houston State opened its 2008 football season with a 58-14 non-conference victory over East Central University of Oklahoma.

Bomar led a Bearkat offense that scored every possession it touched the ball in the first half, putting up seven touchdowns and a field goal. Sam Houston State (1-0) built a 52-0 lead. The 52 points were the most ever by a Bearkat football team in the first half of a game.

East Central (0-1), a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference, scored 14 points in the second half. Quarterback Marcus Johnson completed 31 of 53 attempts for 296 yards.

Running back James Aston carried eight times on the ground for 115 yards and two touchdowns including a 49 yard scamper. Aston also caught three passes for 41 yards and a tally.

Catron Houston led Bearkat receivers with five catches for 72 yards and two scores.

Bomar led scoring drives of 53, 82, 61, 6, 43, 61, 44, and 48 yards. His touchdown passes include a 7-yards to Houston at 12:28 in the first quarter, 11 yards to Jason Madkins with 4:08 left in the period, 21 yards to Aston with 12:45 to go in the second quarter and 24 yards to Houston with 9:44 remaining in the half.

The Bearkat defense forced four turnovers, two on fumbles and two on interceptions.

Luke McCall and D. J. Emerson accounted for the interceptions. Nolen Bucek and Jeff Sparks recovered the fumbles.

Will Henry led the Bearkat defense with eight stops. Frank Simon, Justin Rock and Brandon Bruce each totaled seven tackles.

Taylor Wilkins kicked seven extra points and blasted a 45-yard field goal, a career long for the junior specialist.

Sam Houston State will play Prairie View A&M Sept. 13 in Huntsville in their next action.