Independence Bowl Preview: Louisiana Tech vs. No. 19 Army
The Independence Bowl features Louisiana Tech (5-7) going up against No. 19 Army (11-2) on December 28 at 9:15 p.m. EST. According to BetMGM, Army is favored by 16.5 points in this matchup.
A key aspect to watch in this game is the contrasting styles of defense and offense. The Bulldogs allow 181.8 passing yards per game, ranking 22nd among college football teams, while Army ranks lower at 134th, allowing just 81.8 passing yards. In terms of scoring defense, Army stands strong, coming in at seventh with only 16.2 points permitted per game. Conversely, Louisiana Tech sits at 113th in scoring offense, managing 22.2 points per game.
Reflecting on their most recent games, Army suffered a defeat to Navy, losing 31-13. In that contest, quarterback Bryson Daily completed 7 of 16 passes for 65 yards, resulting in one touchdown but also three interceptions. Daily also showcased his running capability, totaling 52 yards on 19 carries. On the other hand, Louisiana Tech achieved a dominant victory over Kennesaw State, winning 33-0. Quarterback Evan Bullock had an impressive performance, completing 23 of 30 passes for 233 yards without throwing a touchdown or interception. Running back Omiri Wiggins was pivotal, rushing for 129 yards on 17 carries and finding the end zone three times.
Key players to monitor during this bowl game include Army’s Bryson Daily, who has amassed 942 passing yards this season with a completion rate of 55.9%. He has thrown nine touchdowns and four interceptions and has been a standout on the ground, rushing for 1,526 yards—ranking eighth in the country—with 29 rushing touchdowns, the second highest. Receiver Casey Reynolds has also made an impact, gathering 444 yards and three touchdowns from 19 receptions.
For Louisiana Tech, Evan Bullock leads the team with 1,933 passing yards and a completion percentage of 67.3%, throwing 14 touchdowns against just two interceptions. Wiggins contributes significantly to their offense as well, accumulating 484 rushing yards on 102 carries, scoring four touchdowns, and adding 20 receptions for 126 yards. Additionally, receiver Tru Edwards has been a reliable target with 77 catches for 883 yards and six touchdowns to his name.
As far as statistics go, Army has demonstrated the ability to outscore opponents by an average of 15.2 points per game this season, while Louisiana Tech has managed to outscore their adversaries by a mere 1.7 points per game. Moreover, Army boasts the 10th-best turnover margin in college football at plus 11, having forced 19 turnovers while only committing eight. On the defensive front, Louisiana Tech has shown strength against the pass, allowing just 181.8 passing yards per game, which ranks them 22nd in the nation. In terms of offense, they are positioned at 66th overall, recording 228.1 passing yards per game.
