EL PASO, Texas — Jay Hopson called Curtis Mikell’s 100-yard pick-6 the play of the game.
The first-year Southern Miss coach, a defensive back during his playing days, also classified Mikell’s two interceptions as “difference maker plays.”
He would be right.
The former Bassfield star, used on special teams and on offense sparingly during his freshman season in 2014, was pivotal in the Golden Eagles’ 34-7 victory at UTEP Saturday. Mikell’s first interception — also the first of his collegiate career — came three plays after the visitors took a 17-7 lead over the Miners. Southern Miss capitalized on the takeaway, scoring a touchdown five plays later to go up 24-7.