Houston tops Louisiana in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl
A game that began with a B-52 flyover from nearby Barksdale Air Force Base, an explosion of fireworks and the coldest temperatures on record, was followed by a late touchdown by Houston to win the 46th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl on Friday.
The smattering of fans who braved the 25-degree temperatures on a sunny afternoon in Independence Stadium saw the Sun Belt’s Ragin’ Cajuns (6-7) fall to the Cougars (8-5) of the American Athletic Conference, 23-16.
Houston got a 12-yard TD pass from Clayton Tune, the game's MVP, to Nathanial Dell with 20 seconds remaining to put a positive capper on the Cougars’ season.
“I’ve never been through a season like this, but I’m very proud of my team for the resiliency they showed,” Houston coach Dana Holgorsen said. “Obviously coming off a 12-win season with Tune and Tank (Dell) coming back, expectations were high. But college football is tough, so it was great to get this win today.”
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The Cougars capitalized on a pair of Ragin’ Cajun turnovers, including one on UL’s final possession of the game, to get the win.
“It was a tough way to lose it,” Louisiana coach Michael Desormeaux said. “Our team wanted it really badly. We went out there – and we were down a couple of guys – but this group said it didn’t matter. This senior class was special.”
The Cajuns and Cougars were meeting for the 10th time but were first-time selectees for the I-Bowl. They began battling early in the week when a fracas broke out at the team welcome party, and a team event was canceled the following day. Only four representatives from each team attended Wednesday’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes breakfast at the Shreveport Convention Center.
“We couldn’t do much about the weather, but it was an excellent game,” I-Bowl chairman Rob Rubel said. “With all of the challenges we had this week, I thought our staff did an excellent job.”
The Ragin’ Cajuns put together an impressive first half controlling both lines of scrimmage from the outside. UL put together a 15-play, 75-yard drive to open the game capped by a 4-yard TD pass from Jasper Williams to Johnny Lumpkin.
The Cajuns would also get a pair of 42-yard field goals from Kenneth Almendares to go in front 13-0 midway through the second quarter.
Louisiana’s defense kept Houston’s offense to just two chunk plays in the half and they both came on the same drive shortly before the break. Cougar quarterback Clayton Tune hit KeSean Carter for a 30-yard gain and followed it one play later with a 33-yard TD throw to Carter to get his team within 13-6.
After a quick, 83-yard drive to close the half, Almendares hit again from 22 yards out for a 16-6 Louisiana lead at the break.
Jimmy Watson covers Shreveport-Bossier area sports. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Independence Bowl: Houston rallies, scores late to top Louisiana
