Louisiana Tech wins big in Independence Bowl comeback; downs Coastal Carolina 23-14

Photo credit: Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA (December 30, 2025)  The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs pulled off an amazing comeback to beat the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 23–14 in the 2025 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Bulldogs trailed by 11 points at halftime, but they shut out the Chanticleers in the second half to win the game.

Coastal Carolina looked strong early. Their quarterback threw two touchdown passes in the first half, and Coastal led 14–3 at the break. Louisiana Tech only managed one field goal before halftime.lldogs came out ready in the second half. Their defense stopped Coastal Carolina again and again. A long punt return gave Tech good field position, and they kicked another field goal to make the score 14–6.

Late in the fourth quarter, Louisiana Tech really took control. Quarterback Trey Kukuk (shown above), who was selected at the game's offensive MVP, hit Marlion Jackson with a 52-yard touchdown pass, making the score 14–12. The two-point try didn’t work, but the momentum had changed.

After another defensive stop, Tech drove the ball again. Kukuk ran for a long gain, and Andrew Burnette scored a short touchdown to give the Bulldogs the lead 20–14. Then, kicker Kaegan Kent hit a 35-yard field goal late to make it 23–14.

Louisiana Tech’s defense helped seal the win by stopping Coastal Carolina on their last chances. The Bulldogs also got an interception late in the game to end the final threat.

With the win, the Bulldogs finish 8–5 on the season and earn a bowl championship. It was their ninth bowl victory ever and their biggest comeback in a bowl game. The victory also gave Louisiana Tech its first winning season since 2019.