In late November, the independent Lafayette Leopards of Easton, Pennsylvania, were invited to play in the Sun Bowl against Texas Mines, the second-place team in the Border Conference, under the condition that their star halfback, David Showell, an African-American, did not play.
The Lafayette–Texas Mines contest that was not held is referred to as "The Greatest Game They Never Played", which was turned into a song.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Miners struck first quickly on a Harvey Gabrel touchdown dive.
The Mountaineers soon responded when James Walthall threw a 25-yard pass to Clarence Cox, who ran into the end zone to give West Virginia a 7–6 lead at halftime.
They struck back in the second half with two James Devonshire touchdown runs before the third quarter ended to make the lead 21–6.