Texas Tech Football’s season opener was played Saturday night at Jones AT&T Stadium against the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks. The game was reminiscent of season openers from the Mike Leach-era: Big scoring for Tech, and almost no scoring by the opponent.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, his offense and the rest of the Red Raiders were firing on all cylinders in their 69-17 win.

Mahomes accounted for five of the Red Raiders six first-half touchdowns, including two rushing touchdowns. In just over two quarters of playing time, Mahomes went 30/43 passing for 483 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed 10 times for 57 yards and two touchdowns.

Texas Tech’s first score of the season came on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes to Cameron Batson at the 12:22 mark of the first quarter. Six minutes later, Keke Coutee found the end zone on a six-yard rush. Then, with 1:10 left in the first quarter, Mahomes scored his first rushing touchdown of the game from three yards out.

At the end of the first quarter, Texas Tech was leading 21-0. They would extend the lead to 45-3 at halftime. Texas Tech's defense forced three, three-and-outs and five punts overall in the first half.

In the second quarter, Mahomes added to Tech’s scoring with a seven-yard rushing touchdown. He also connected with Dylan Cantrell and Jonathan Giles on touchdown passes.

Mahomes led the Red Raiders on one drive in the third quarter. It was a 10-play, 80-yard drive that culminated with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Devin Lauderdale.

At that point, with the Red Raiders leading 52-3, both teams started putting in second and third string players.

Mahomes’ backup, Nic Shimonek, saw significant playing time in the second half for Texas Tech. Shimonek went 18/28 passing for 150 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Seventeen different Red Raiders caught passes in the win.

Next Saturday, Texas Tech is on the road at Arizona State for a 9 p.m. kickoff. Countdown to Kickoff with Rob Breaux starts at 6 p.m. on SportsRadio 1340 The Fan. You can listen on the radio at 1340 AM or streaming online.

Photos from Texas Tech vs. Stephen F. Austin

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