Once again, the Cowboys were champions of the Southland Conference and were thus invited to their third Independence bowl in four years.
This was the final year of the agreement between the Bowl and the Southland Conference.
Winston Walker gave the Golden Eagles a 3–0 lead on his 36-yard field goal.
The Cowboys responded in the next two quarters with a Buford Jordan touchdown run and a Stephan Starring touchdown run to give them a 14–10 lead going into the final quarter.
Mike Woodard gave Southern Miss the go-ahead lead on his one-yard touchdown plunge as the Golden Eagles held on to win.