Texas Tech 44, Northwestern State 6: Seth Doege passed for 199 yards and the Red Raiders’ defense held the visiting Demons to 84 total yards.

Doege, who had 28 touchdown passes in 2011, had only one scoring strike in the opener for a more balanced Red Raiders’ offense. Tech had 500 total yards – 179 on the ground.

Texas Tech’s defense, which allowed almost 40 points a game a year ago, held Northwestern State to 13 yards rushing.

The Red Raiders scored three touchdowns in the first half on drives that included 16, 10 and 12 plays, respectively.

Eric Stephens scored on a 4-yard run with 2:50 left in the first quarter to cap a 79-yard drive and from 2 yards with 11:16 remaining in the second quarter to end a 75-yard march.

Doege connected with Kenny Williams for a 2-yard touchdown with 6:16 left in the second quarter as Tech settled for a 21-3 halftime lead. Williams also led the ground attack with 74 yards.

Tech backup Michael Brewer threw a pair of touchdowns to Marcus Kennard in the fourth quarter.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Northwestern State kicker John Shaughnessy connected on two field goals, but missed from 38 yards in the first quarter to end his school-record run of 12 consecutive made. … Texas Tech is 59-26-3 in season openers. … The Red Raiders were picked ninth in the Big 12 preseason poll. … Tech beat Northwestern State 75-7 in their only other meeting in 2007.