Pick-12: Texas Tech player returns INTs for TDs on consecutive passes

LUBBOCK, Texas -- Texas Tech linebacker Austin Romaine returned two interceptions for touchdowns on consecutive passes thrown by Sam Houston in the opening minute of the second quarter Saturday.

The No. 11 Red Raiders led only 7-0 before fellow linebacker Brock Gowlas leaped to deflect a pass thrown by Brett Holloway. Romaine, who had also jumped, then grabbed the ball out of the air and ran 15 yards for a touchdown with 14:54 left in the first half.

On the first play after the ensuing kickoff, Bearcats starting quarterback Landyn Locke was back in the game, and his pass on first down was picked off by Romaine. That 31-yard return made it 21-0, only seven seconds after his first pick-6.

Texas Tech became the first Big 12 team with interception returns for touchdowns on consecutive defensive drives since Nebraska did it vs. Idaho in September 2010, per ESPN Research. The Red Raiders last had two INT returns for TDs in a game since the 2000 season.

Romaine, a senior transfer from Kansas State, became the fifth player in Big 12 history to have multiple interceptions returned for touchdowns in a single game and the first to do so since Bobby Walker did it for KSU in 2002.

Romaine had 184 tackles (110 solo) the past three seasons with the Wildcats. His only interception for K-State came in a game against Texas Tech last season.