The Week

Texas A&M all but eliminated SWC defending champion Baylor with a 19-10 victory that stirs interest in the Aggies' Nov. 28 clash with Texas. With a record Kyle Field crowd of 53,693 urging him on, Lester Hayes, a 6'2", 205-pound junior defensive back, grabbed a Baylor fumble in midair in the third quarter and sloshed 77 yards to the touchdown that broke a 7-7 tie. It was a hit by Tank Marshall and Ed Simonini that caused Baylor Quarterback Charlie Parker to give up the ball. "I watched to see if there'd be a pitchout," Hayes said. "Suddenly there it was, right in my hands." Added Hayes, a former state 220 champ, "I knew they'd never catch me."

Texas Tech snapped a four-game losing streak, downing SMU 37-20, while Arkansas, featuring Ike Forte's first pass completion off the option, his 142 yards rushing and two TDs, walloped Utah State 31-0.

1. Texas A&M (7-0)
2. Texas (6-1)
3. Arkansas (5-2)