It was clear from the outset of the Independence Bowl that it was going to be a matter of which team made more mistakes. Both Coastal Carolina and Louisiana Tech made ample mistakes to keep both teams within arm’s reach of each other until the end. However, it was Louisiana Tech that would be anointed the Independence Bowl winner by a final score of 23-14.
Bulldogs Better, But Not By Much
Blunder Bonanza
Fittingly enough, Sonny Cumbie’s team was the nation’s leader in penalties coming into the game. They more than held up their reputation in this one. But we mentioned in the introduction how both teams made countless mistakes. But how ugly was it? Let us list out the error explosion:
- In the third quarter, it produced the strangest punt touchback anyone has ever seen.
- We came close to a record for penalties as the teams combined for 25 penalties for 228 yards (the most penalties in a bowl game is 29).
- There was a stretch of four consecutive drives that included three fumbles and a blocked field goal.
- The teams were a combined 6 of 28 on 3rd down conversions.
- At one point, 12:30 mark of the 4th quarter, the Bulldogs completed their longest pass of the day, but ended up fumbling, and Coastal recovered.
- The ensuing Coastal possession had a pass completed about 20 yards before a defensive back separated the ball from the receiver, and his fellow secondary member picked it off.
- The Chants and Bulldogs combined for seven turnovers.
In addition to all of the errors committed, there was a very unexpected aerial display in the game. Both teams were aiming to control the ground game to be crowned the Independence Bowl winner. Coastal Carolina quarterback Tad Hudson had a career day through the air. He would finish going 25-for-49 for 311 yards and two touchdowns. His previous career high for passing yards was 174. The Chants were outgaining the Bulldogs almost two-to-one for much of the game, but couldn’t finish drives off with points.
Still Delivered Late-Game Drama
With the door open, the Bulldogs finally took advantage. Louisiana Tech would connect for a 52-yard touchdown pass with 11:45 left in the game. It was the longest touchdown pass for Louisiana Tech all season. The Bulldogs, after finding the end zone for the first time of the day, were denied the two-point conversion for the Chants to maintain a 14-12 slim lead. Some stalled out Chanticleer offense paved the way for the Bulldogs to take the lead with eight minutes left in the game.
But Coastal still had multiple chances to take the lead. That included recovering a fumble with just over four minutes in the game at midfield. But the Chants wasted the opportunity with a quick three-and-out. However, Coastal was able to get Louisiana Tech to go three-and-out as well and got the ball back one last time with 2:13 remaining from their own 20-yard line (thanks to another penalty pushing them back). However, no late-game fireworks were in store. When the game was still within one score, Hudson would go 1-for-12 passing with an interception. The Chants had -8 yards of offense until garbage time, when they were down two scores with less than a minute remaining. Coastal would finish the game scoring zero points in the second half.
Bulldogs Claim Title Of Independence Bowl Winner
Louisiana Tech quarterback Trey Kukuk was the catalyst for the Bulldogs’ offense, finishing with a combined 218 yards (104 on the ground). The Bulldogs eventually got the ground game going, finishing with 181 as a team. Louisiana Tech secured its first bowl victory since winning the Independence Bowl in 2019. It was the first concrete example of Combie building the Bulldogs back into a winner in his four years as head coach.
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