SOUTHWEST ROUNDUP : Texas Tech Intercepts Five Passes, Beats TCU

Texas Tech intercepted five passes and probably stole Texas Christian’s bowl hopes in the process Saturday in the Red Raiders’ 40-28 Southwest Conference victory over the Horned Frogs at Ft. Worth.

Texas Tech, which is 3-7 overall and 2-5 in the SWC, ended a three-game losing streak. The Horned Frogs lost their third consecutive game, fell to 5-4 and 3-3 and probably lost out at their chance of a berth in the Independence Bowl.

TCU took a 7-0 lead on a 19-yard touchdown run by Curtis Modkins, but Texas Tech cornerback Ronald Ferguson stunned the Frogs by intercepting a pass by Matt Vogler at the Raider 25 and returning it 75 yards for a touchdown to make it 7-7.

Tracy Saul intercepted two of Vogler’s passes and Brian Dubiski and Sammy Walker one each in the second half, and the Raiders converted them into 17 points.

Last Saturday in a 56-35 loss to Houston, Vogler passed for an NCAA record 690 yards.

Baylor 34, Arkansas 3--The Bears (5-3-1, 4-1-1) stayed in the race for the SWC championship by handing the the Razorbacks (2-7, 0-6) their sixth consecutive defeat in a game at Waco, Tex.

Steve Needham, starting in place of the injured J.J. Joe, completed 11 of 13 passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns to give the Razorbacks their worst conference record since 1942.

Rice 30, Southern Methodist 28--Rice (5-5, 3-4) held off a late charge by SMU (1-8, 0-6) in an SWC game at Houston, giving the Owls a chance for their first winning season in 27 years.

Rice has won five games for the first time since finishing 5-6 in 1980. The Owls could earn their first winning season since a 6-4 finish in 1963 with a victory over Baylor next week.

Trevor Cobb, who gained 167 yards in 29 carries, scored on touchdown runs of six and 44 yards for Rice.

SMU quarterback Mike Romo, who missed last week’s game against Texas A&M; with a sprained ankle, completed 40 of 62 passes for 452 yards and four touchdowns.