COLLEGE FOOTBALL SPOTLIGHT : SAY GOODNIGHT

The lights went out for the last time on Southwest Conference football Sunday night when No. 9 Texas lost to No. 13 Virginia Tech, 28-10, in the Sugar Bowl at New Orleans.

Despite Texas’ loss, the league finished strongly in the final chapter of its 81-year history.

That was clear by Texas Tech’s 55-41 victory over Air Force in the Copper Bowl and Texas A&M;’s 22-20 victory over Michigan in the Alamo Bowl.

“It’s always a sad moment when you see an 81-year history end,” Texas Tech Athletic Director Bob Bockrath said Monday. “But at the same time, I’m very excited going to a league that has won at least two of its four games in bowl competition.”