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. 

Army shines in Independence Bowl victory over Louisiana Tech

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA (December 28, 2024) The Army Black Knights capped off an incredible season with a dominant 27-6 win over Louisiana Tech in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl on Saturday night. Led by head coach Jeff Monken, the Black Knights (12-2) showed why they are ranked No. 19 in the nation, earning their 12th win of the season, a program record.

Quarterback Bryson Daily (No. 13, above left) made history once again, scoring three touchdowns in the game. Daily’s 32 touchdowns this season set a new record for quarterbacks in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). He also became only the second Army quarterback to rush for over 1,000 yards and pass for over 1,000 yards in the same season. He was also named the Offensive Player of the Game, by a vote of the credentialed media in attendance at Independence Stadium.

The Black Knights’ offense was unstoppable early, putting together three long scoring drives in the first half. Two of those touchdowns came from Daily, while running back Hayden Reed added another. The offense chewed up the clock, holding the ball for over 22 minutes in the first half. Reed had a career-best game, rushing for 114 yards on 20 carries.

Army’s defense was just as impressive, keeping Louisiana Tech out of the end zone. This was the third time this season the Black Knights didn’t allow a touchdown. Linebacker Kalib Fortner earned Defensive Player of the Game honors for his efforts.

The victory highlighted a season of milestones for Army. Along with their program-best 12 wins, the team also received the Joe Moore Award for the best offensive line in college football. 

Army and Louisiana Tech to face off in Independence Bowl

At the 2023 Independence Bowl, Texas Tech defeated
California by the score of 34-14.

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA (December 23, 2024) The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl will feature Army and Louisiana Tech in a Saturday night, December 28 showdown at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. C T, with action being broadcast on ESPN and on the American Forces Network.

This game marks Army’s first return to the Independence Bowl since 1996, while Louisiana Tech has the home-field advantage, with Shreveport only a short 69-mile drive from its campus. Army leads the all-time series between these two teams 2-0, with their last matchup in 2013 ending in a 35-16 victory for the Black Knights.

Army (11-2) is aiming to secure one of its best seasons ever. With 12 wins on the line, the Black Knights are motivated to end on a high note. However, they’ll be missing running back Kanye Udoh, who transferred to Arizona State after their recent loss to Navy. The team will need to find someone to step up alongside senior quarterback Bryson Daily.

Head coach Jeff Monken has done a remarkable job leading Army, posting a solid 81-57 record during his tenure. While his name often comes up for other coaching jobs, he remains a strong presence at West Point.

Louisiana Tech (5-7) is making the most of an unexpected chance to play in the Independence Bowl. The Bulldogs weren’t bowl-eligible this year but got the call after Marshall pulled out of the game. For head coach Sonny Cumbie, now in his third season, this game provides valuable extra time to develop his program.

The Bulldogs are coming off a dominant 33-0 win over Kennesaw State and hope to carry that momentum into Saturday. While Louisiana Tech’s rebuilding process has been slow, the team is showing signs of progress after two straight three-win seasons.

Army’s disciplined, run-heavy offense will clash with Louisiana Tech’s eager underdogs. For both teams, this game is about more than just winning. For Army, it’s a chance to make history. For Louisiana Tech, it’s an opportunity to take another step forward.

Louisiana Tech overcomes Miami (Fla) 14-0 for Independence Bowl Title

Photo by
Darla Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Phtotgraphy
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA (December 26, 2019) In a game that saw a record 18 punts, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs shut out the Miami Hurricanes by the score of 14-0 to win the 44th Walk-On's Independence Bowl. The Bulldogs scored midway through the second quarter and late in the fourth. 

The first score came at 9:34 in the second quarter, when quarterback J'Mar Smith (Meridian HS, Meridian, Mississippi) connected with running back Israel Tucker (Archbishop Rummel HS, Metairie, Louisiana) on a 26-yard pass play for the only aerial touchdown of the game. Smith, who threw for 17 touchdowns during the regular season, carried the ball the final eight yards of a 55-yard, five play drive for the second Tech TD. The 6-1, 218-pound red shirt senior completed his final season with four rushing touchdowns. Kicker Bailey Hale (Iowa Park HS, Iowa Park, Texas), shown below, added the two extra points, to push his total to 53 for the season. Red shirt junior running back Justin Henderson (Lake Wales HS, Lake Wales, Florida), shown above, who carried the ball 22 times for 95 yards, was awarded the Offensive Player of the Game.

Photo by
Darla Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Phtotgraphy
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

Defensively, the Bulldogs were paced by inside linebacker Conner Taylor (Davis HS, Kaysville, Utah) and outside linebacker Ezekiel Barnett (Benton HS, Benton, Louisiana). Taylor tallied nine tackles, six of them solo, along with 1.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles for a loss, sharing the stats with defensive end Milton Williams. Barnett added six total tackles (four solo) and one sack and one tackle for a loss. Defensive back Aaron Roberson (Huntington, HS, Shreveport, Louisiana) added five tackles (four solo), two pass breakups, and one game-sealing interception. Taylor, for his performance, was named the Defensive Player of the Game.

For the Hurricanes, quarterback Jarren Williams (Central Gwinnett HS, Lawrenceville, Georgia) was 9-of-20 for 94 yards while freshman Sam Brooks, Jr. (Miami Northwestern HS, Miami Gardens, Florida) posted 12 tackles.

Miami to face Louisiana Tech in 2019 Independence Bowl

SHREVEPORT. LOUISIANA (December 25, 2019) On Thursday, December 26, 2019, the 44th annual Walk-On's Independence Bowl will kick off at 3 p.m. CST at Independence Stadium in Shreveport with the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs will face the Miami Hurricanes (6-6, 4-4 ACC).

Louisiana Tech (9-3, 6-2 C-USA) makes its fifth appearance in Independence Bowl history, tying Ole Miss for the most appearances in Independence Bowl history. The Bulldogs have a 2-1-1 record in their previous four appearances. La Tech’s last trip came in 2008 vs. Northern Illinois (17-10 La Tech). 

They are making their sixth-consecutive bowl appearance under head coach Skip Holtz. Tech enters the 2019 bowl season as one of only two FBS programs with five consecutive bowl wins (Wisconsin). The Bulldogs are playing in their 12th bowl game in program history, with a record of 7-3-1 in their first 11 bowls. 

The Bulldogs played in the lone tie game in Independence Bowl history, tying Maryland 34-34 in the 1990 Independence Bowl. Miami is making its second-ever appearance in the Independence Bowl, with its last trip being in 2014 versus South Carolina, with South Carolina winning 24-21. 

The 2019 Walk-On’s Independence Bowl is Miami’s seventh-consecutive bowl appearance and 43rd bowl appearance in school history (20-22 record). Their last bowl win came in the 2016 Russell Athletic Bowl over West Virginia, 31-14. 

Miami head coach Manny Diaz was the Louisiana Tech defensive coordinator in 2014 under La Tech head coach Skip Holtz. Miami defensive coordinator Blake Baker took over as the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator following Diaz’s departure to Mississippi State. Baker served as La Tech’s DC from 2015-2018. 

This is the fifth-ever matchup between Louisiana Tech and Miami (Miami is 4-0). Their last game against each other came in 2004, and they previously played in Independence Stadium in a regular season tilt in 2003, with Miami winning 48-9. 

The ACC sports a 6-5-1 record in 12 Independence Bowl appearances and have won each of the last four Independence Bowl’s dating back to Virginia Tech in 2015. 

C-USA holds a record of 0-1 in the I-Bowl. Southern Miss fell to FSU 42-13 in 2017.

2019 Independence Bowl: Louisiana Tech pre-game press conferennce

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA (December 24, 2019) Pre-game press conference with Louisiana Tech head coach Skip Holtz, quarterback J'Mar Smith and safety Darryl Lewis for the Walk-On's Independence Bowl. Click here for the video.

Houston falls to 0-2 on the season; loses to Louisiana Tech 56-49

 

Louisiana Tech's Kevin Saia (57) loses his helmet
while trying to open a hole against the Houston
Cougars defense. Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La
Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2012,
All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2012 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 9, 2012) "I told our team no side of football, offense, defense or special teams, should leave here feeling good or satisfied about what just happened,"

That was the message Houston head coach Tony Levine told his team and later relayed to the media late Saturday night after the Cougars lost their second straight game of the season, 56-49 to the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.

The Cougars got better on the field since their opening season loss to Texas State but they are still miles away from where they need to be this season.

Quarterback David Piland's performance against the Bulldogs was much improved, comlpeting 53 of 77 passes for 580 yards and four touchdowns,

He even had four carries with a fourth quarter scamper of 33 yards, however many big gains were nullified by penalties.

Houston committed 15 penalties for 138 yards and that very fact was addressed by Levine in the post-game press conference.

"Penalty wise those mistakes are largely technique. On holding call, if our guy gets a hand outside the framework of a defender's body that error leads to a penalty. On some false starts, there were some things going on the field, some communication errors and other factors. We had a number of face-mask penalties where our guys would be playing hard, but again that is mostly a technique related issue. Twenty-six penalties combined on both sides is a sloppy football game, and that will not be tolerated by us."

　

Offensively, Charles Sims got the ball more than he did against Texas State.

That was one of the issues involved in the resignation of offensive coordinator Mike Nesbitt and was stressed to his replacement, Travis Bush.

Sims had 21 carries for 65 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught 11 passes for 53 yards.

It was evident on the field that Sims needed to get the ball more and when asked after the game about that very fact, he replied, "I felt pretty good and going earlier. We need to get rid of the little things."

　
Houston will now have one week to prepare before they head to Los Angeles for their first road game of the season against UCLA.

The Cougars will be facing a Bruins team which is 2-0 in 2012, including a 36-30 upset win over No. 17 Nebraska on Saturday night.

UCLA stunned the Cornhuskers with 653 yards of total offense.

Houston will have to take their game to the level against UCLA if they want to avoid going 0-3 for the first time since 2001.