COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) - Christine Michael rushed for 105 yards and Texas A&M’s defense showed obvious improvement from last season in the Aggies’ 48-7 season-opening victory Saturday night over lower-division Stephen F. Austin.

A&M senior quarterback Jerrod Johnson, who set eight school records in 2009, completed 23 of 35 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns. The Aggies finished with 539 yards - 236 coming on 60 running plays.

The A&M defense, one of the nation’s worst last year, held Stephen F. Austin to 266 yards and 13 first downs. The Aggies have switched to a 3-4 alignment this season under new coordinator Tim DeRuyter, who replaced the retired Joe Kines in the offseason.

Jeremy Moses, Stephen F. Austin's all-time leading passer, went 19-of-37 for 171 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The Lumberjacks led the FCS in passing yards (343 per game) in 2009.