Independence Bowl : Texas El Paso-Southern Mississippi Is Game of Offense

The defensive coordinators from Texas El Paso and Southern Mississippi--opponents in tonight’s Independence Bowl--have been presented with a difficult task.

With defenses that have hardly befit the teams’ successes this season, the coaches must find a way to slow down, if not stop, potent offenses.

Texas El Paso (10-2) has scored 49 of 50 times inside the 25-yard line and has averaged 35.5 points per game. Quarterback Pat Hegarty has thrown for 2,529 yards and 17 touchdowns and leads an offense that has averaged 413.3 yards per game.

The defense, meanwhile, has allowed an average of 420.5 yards and 19.8 points per game.

“We won’t do anything we haven’t done before,” said Mike Church, El Paso defensive coordinator. “We’re just going to do a lot more of it.”

Southern Mississippi (9-2) is led by quarterback Brett Favre, whose offense has averaged 187.3 yards rushing and 209 yards passing. Favre has thrown for 2,271 yards and 16 touchdowns.

The Golden Eagles allowed an average of 166 yards rushing and 243.3 yards passing.

“The key is we have to vary our approach,” said Ellis Johnson, Southern Mississippi defensive coordinator. “I don’t think we’re good enough to do just one thing. We’ve got to do a lot of different things and not let them know when we’re going to do them.”

But Coach Curley Hallman of Southern Mississippi is not concerned.

“Our defensive guys have always risen to the occasion when faced with a good offense and we hope this is one of those occasions. I don’t know how many points it’s going to take to win. I hope our kicking game is good and our defense turns the ball over to us several times.”

Texas El Paso will be without leading rusher John Harvey, one of two Miners who did not make the trip. Harvey, the school’s all-time leading rusher, gained 751 yards and scored 10 touchdowns this season, despite ankle and knee injuries.

El Paso sports information director Eddie Mullens said Harvey is not playing because of an ankle injury. An El Paso television station, however, reported this week that Harvey failed an National Collegiate Athletic Assn. drug test. Brad Hovious, the athletic director, refused to comment on the report.

El Paso players also have had to deal this week with the uncertainty surrounding the coaching situation. Miner Coach Bob Stull is leaving to take over at Missouri.

“Hopefully, the players are just interested in playing and aren’t worrying about the coaching change,” Stull said.