It was all Texas Tech could do to beat Central Arkansas 42-35 in the 2014 season opener, and now the Red Raiders open the 2015 season Saturday against an FCS team with better credentials.
Sam Houston State has FCS championship aspirations with nearly all its starters back from an 11-5 team that made the FCS semifinals three of the last four years.
Tech cornerback J.J. Gaines said the Red Raiders know better than to take Sam Houston State lightly after UCA — a team that was 7-5 in 2013 and finished 6-6 last year — stayed with seven points of the Red Raiders.