Louisiana Tech routs Northwestern State 80-6

RUSTON, La. -- — Blake Baker accounted for three of Louisiana Tech's 10 touchdowns as the Bulldogs opened their season with an 80-6 rout over Northwestern State on Saturday night. Louisiana Tech set a program best in points scored, surpassing the 76 it put up against Rice on Nov. 29, 2014. The Bulldogs led Northwestern State 63-3 at halftime. Baker tossed a 75-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Mickens on the Bulldogs' first play from scrimmage. Baker added a 27-yard touchdown pass to Jay Wilkerson on their next possession. Baker's 9-yard TD pass to Eli Finley made it 42-3 midway through the second quarter. Mickens led the Bulldogs with three catches for 133 yards. He was one of six receivers with a scoring catch. Trey Kukuk and Joshua Brantley combined for 5-of-5 passing for 61 yards and three touchdowns. Dylone Brooks and Talyn Shettron also had touchdown runs for the Bulldogs. Louisiana Tech had 528 yards of offense and held Northwestern State to 129. Northwestern took 11 plays and scored on Payne Williams III’s 33-yard field goal to cap the opening series for a 3-0 lead. Williams added a 37-yard field goal inside the final minute of the game. ------ Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here, visit the Top 25 here and see AP’s full college football coverage here