HANOVER, Ind. (CentreAthletics.com) – The 22nd-ranked Centre football team tallied the most total yards (769) and rushing yards (536) for a single game since at least 1962 in a dominating 63-7 performance on the road over host Hanover in the 2015 season opener on Saturday afternoon.

The Colonels' 769 total yards, 536 rushing yards and 63 points also represent new Southern Athletic Association records. Centre's 769 total yards tops the previous mark of 618 total yards set by Hendrix against Westminster (Mo.) on September 6, 2014. The Colonels' 536 rushing yards best their own SAA record of 491 yards against Hendrix on November 2, 2013, while their 63 points breaks Birmingham-Southern's record of 61 points set on September 15, 2012 against Ave Maria.

The Colonels' 63 points were their most since defeating Sewanee 64-13 on October 2, 2010. It also marks just the fourth time that Centre has tallied 60-or-more points in a contest since the 1962 season, when the Colonels joined the Collegiate Athletic Conference. In addition, Centre topped Fisk by a score of 65-0 on October 29, 1983 and Southwestern (Tenn.) 61-0 on November 12, 1983.

Seven different Centre players combined for nine touchdowns on Saturday, paced by Amoh Kumengisa and Colin Burnam, who each reached the end zone twice for the Colonels.

Centre did not waste any time getting on the board, as Heath Haden found Rubyn Branch for a 27-yard touchdown pass to cap a six-play, 65-yard opening drive for the Colonels. Centre used just 1:22 to find the end zone for the first time this season.

On the ensuing drive, Hanover would work its way down to the Centre two yard line, before the Colonels forced the Panthers to lose a combined 17 yards over the next three plays, anchored by a Ben Bostick sack for a ten-yard loss on third down.

Hanover's Ben Wheeler then attempted a 36-yard field goal that was blocked by Centre's Cody Estep, allowing the Colonels to regain possession.

Centre would march down the field before Nolan Coulter gave the Colonels a two-touchdown lead with a one-yard rush to complete a 12-play, 80-yard drive for Centre.

After forcing a Hanover three-and-out, the Colonels would take a 14-0 advantage into the second quarter in the midst of driving deep into Panther territory.

Kumengisa scored his first touchdown of the day just three plays and 22 seconds into the second quarter to put Centre on top by three touchdowns.

Hanover answered with a 12-play, 65-yard drive that resulted in a 20-yard touchdown pass from Chase Lightfoot to Dontre Woodruff to get the Panthers on the board. After the extra point attempt was good, Hanover had cut the lead to 21-7 with 10:35 showing on the second quarter clock.

However, this would prove to be the only score on the day for the Panthers, as Centre responded with 42 unanswered points en route to the win.

On the next Colonel drive, Haden found Noah Dziedzic on a 28-yard touchdown strike to extend the Centre lead back to three touchdowns with 8:43 to play in the first half.

Kumengisa would reach the end zone for the second occasion on the day, this time from 10 yards out with 37 seconds to play to give the Colonels a 35-7 advantage at the half after Alex Ward's extra point attempt went through the uprights.

The Colonels forced a Hanover three-and-out on the Panthers' opening drive of the second half, before Haden found Blake Martin for an 80-yard touchdown down the right sideline to gain a 42-7 lead. That would be Haden and the Colonels' final pass attempt of the day, as he finished the day 14-of-17 for 233 yards with three touchdowns and an interception.

On the next two drives, Burnam scored back-to-back rushing touchdowns for Centre on runs of four and 43 yards, respectively, to give the Colonels a 56-7 advantage.

Freshman Trevor Carnell added a 79-yard touchdown run in his collegiate debut with 6:26 remaining in the contest to cap the Colonels' 63-7 victory.

Coulter paced the Centre ground game which featured three 100-yard rushers and five players with at least 72 yards. Coulter tallied 16 carries for 127 yards and a touchdown, followed by Carnell with seven rushes for 122 yards. Sawyer Johnson ran for a career-high 108 yards on 13 carries, Kumengisa rushed 15 times for 99 yards and Burnam gained 71 yards on six carries.

Jake Johnson caught three passes for 31 yards to pace the Colonel receiving core.

Sam Spees and Taylor Peoples led Centre with six tackles apiece. Bostick, Vinny Morris, Andrew Hay, and Lucas O'Reilly each registered a sack on the day, while Morris also recovered a fumble for the Colonel defense. Tommy Kaczocha, Rhoman James and Cody Estep each added interceptions for Centre.

Lightfoot completed 32-of-48 passes for a touchdown with three interceptions, while Woodruff caught 10 passes for 76 yards and a score.

The Colonel defense held the Hanover offense to just 17 yards rushing on the day. Centre did not attempt a punt on the day and was seven of 10 on third-down conversions.

The Colonels return to action next Saturday, September 12 hosting Defiance in Centre's home opener. The game is slated to begin at 7 p.m. at Farris Stadium. Saturday's contest marks Alumni Night at Centre, and the 1995 Colonel football team will be recognized during halftime of the game. 2015 is the 20th anniversary of the 1995 squad's Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference championship season.