Photo by Emily de Santos/ The Daily Toreador

Texas Tech wide receiver D.J. Polite-Bray jumps up to catch a pass from quarterback Davis Webb on Saturday at Jones AT&T Stadium. The Red Raiders defeated Central Arkansas 42-35.

Posted: Monday, September 1, 2014 5:55 pm

Red Raiders start slow, win season opener By Everett Corder Sports Editor Daily Toreador - Dept. of Student Media, Texas Tech University |

60,778 fans set a season opener record Saturday at Jones AT&T Stadium watching the heavily favored Red Raiders take on Central Arkansas.

Texas Tech won the game 42-35, but coach Kliff Kingsbury said he was embarrassed by the sloppiness of the team. The Bears, he said, wanted the win more.

(Im) just disappointed because I know how good they can be and we come out and play like that, Kingsbury said. Ive got to give Central Arkansas all the credit in the world. They played hard. They had a plan. They expected to win the game.

Central Arkansas and Tech both went three-and-out on their opening offensive drives, but the Bears were able to get on the board after their second drive with a 28-yard field goal.

Trying to catch the Red Raiders by surprise, Central Arkansas attempted an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff, but Tech recovered and drove down the short field to score the games first touchdown.

Tech junior DeAndre Washington ran the ball from the one-yard line for the score and eventually racked up 104 rushing yards on 20 carries in the game.

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Red Raiders start slow, win season opener