The Southerners, an NCAA College Division independent, finished 7–1–1 while being invited to their third bowl game in four years.
[2] Mississippi Southern built a 13–0 halftime lead on a J.C. Arvan "Statue of Liberty" touchdown play from 51 yards out along with a 53-yard touchdown pass from Bobby Hughes to Jerry Taylor.
However, Ron Mills intercepted an Eagle pass and returned it 75 yards for a touchdown to make it 13–6.
Mills added a two-yard plunge to tie the game at 13.
Quarterback Bubba Hillman rushed for 19 yards and the touchdown that proved to be the winning points for West Texas State.