Tag: Independence Bowl

Watch: 1997 highlights of Notre Dame’s win over Hawaii

Do you recall this game?

The 1997 season started horribly for Notre Dame and first-year coach [autotag]Bob Davie[/autotag]. A 2-5 start meant the Irish had to win out for bowl consideration. They came into their regular-season finale at Hawaii having won their previous four, but getting their much-needed fifth straight win proved to be easier said than done. But [autotag]Scott Cengia[/autotag]’s chip-shot field with seconds to play put the Irish over the top, 23-22, and the highlights were on that night’s “SportsCenter” for all to see:

When asked to comment on the comeback victory, Davie said the following:

“I’m really proud of the way our team came back. I thought that if there was a way, our players would pull it out because the attitude on that sideline was steady.”

If the attitude was steady at the Independence Bowl a month later, it wasn’t enough as LSU crushed the Irish in a virtual home game, 27-9. Still, the regular-season finale served as an example of resilience and overcoming adversity. The ending to the season itself might not have been great, but to even get to that point was impressive by itself.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Best bets for every bowl game, Pt. 1 (pre-Christmas Day bowls)

Part 1 of our picks for all 43 bowl games.

Bowl season is officially upon us, and there is something for everybody. In fact, some might say there are too many bowls — or so many that most end up being just exhibitions.

I’m not going to sit here and disagree. But if you can’t find something to enjoy from any of these games, college football just might not be your thing.

An alternative way to get invested is through a little betting action. And because most people don’t have time to research 43 different games, I did it for you.

Starting with every bowl before Christmas, these are my best bets for each game. Check back later for the remaining bowls.

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Bowl Game Reaction: Boca Raton, Celebration, New Mexico, Independence

Quick reactions to the college football games: Boca Raton, Celebration, New Mexico, Independence Bowls

Bowl Game Reaction to the Boca Raton, Celebration, New Mexico, and Independence Bowls

Bowl Game Reaction: Boca Raton, Celebration, New Mexico, Independence

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CFN Predictions | 2021-2022 Bowl Schedule

Bowl Game Reactions  
– Boca Raton: WKU 59, App St 38
– Celebration, New Mexico, Independence to come

Boca Raton Bowl Reaction: WKU 59, Appalachian State 38

– Now THAT’S a bowl game. It started early, started fast, and it kept on rolling until Appalachian State punched itself out in the second half. 1,246 yards of total offense, 97 points, big play after big play. This was why we all do bowl season.

– Bailey Zappe was incredible. He threw for 422 yards and six scores with no picks, but he had a whole lot of help. Zappe was the signature star coming in from Houston Baptist – and he set the single season passing record and broke Joe Burrow’s touchdown pass record – but battery mate Jerreth Sterns had a whole lot to do with it, too. The star WR caught 13 passes for 184 yards and three scores.

– Appalachian State could never get control. For good and for mostly bad, it kept scoring too quickly. It needed to slow things down to a stop, but it got caught up in a firefight and couldn’t keep up. The running game did what it was supposed to do – 251 yards – but the team only had the ball for just over 31 minutes. The time of possession battle needed to be lopsided.

– No, WKU’s defense didn’t do a whole lot – it couldn’t tackle, it gave up over 600 yards, and it struggled – but the four turnovers made a difference. The pace of the game made Appalachian State press, and the mistakes followed.

COMING: Celebration Bowl, New Mexico Bowl, Independence Bowl

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CFN Predictions | 2021-2022 Bowl Schedule

Independence Bowl Prospect Preview: UAB Blazers vs. BYU Cougars

Independence Bowl Prospect Preview: UAB Blazers vs. BYU Cougars #WinAsOne #BYUFootball

The Independence Bowl features two very impressive teams with the UAB Blazers (8-4) of the C-USA and the #12 ranked BYU Cougars (10-2) who fittingly are non-conference affiliated and categorize as independents. Despite being an underdog by almost a full touchdown, it is hard to envision UAB not wanting this victory more.

A win for the Blazers, who once had their football program removed, over a top ranked opponent in a bowl game feels like such a big deal for the young program, but that is not what we are here to evaluate. Let’s dive into some top prospects for each team and try and see what the Browns could be looking for!

BYU vs UAB: Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Prediction, Game Preview

BYU vs UAB: Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl prediction, game preview, how to watch, lines, and why each team might or might not win.

BYU vs UAB: Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl prediction, game preview, how to watch, lines, Saturday, December 18

Date: Saturday, December 18
Game Time: 3:30 pm ET
Venue: Independence Stadium, Shreveport, LA
How To Watch: ABC, Live stream on ESPN+
Records: BYU (10-2), UAB (8-4))

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BYU vs UAB Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Preview

– Can BYU close strong with yet another impressive bowl win? Last season the Cougars ripped apart UCF 49-23 in the Boca Raton Bowl, and instead of needing to rebuild without quarterback Zach Wilson at quarterback and other lost parts, they were even better.

– The 2021 Cougars went 5-0 against the Pac-12 – including a win over Pac-12 champion Utah – throttled Virginia, and took down eventual Mountain West champion Utah State.

– The offense was efficient, the team dominated the turnover battle, and other than a two-game midseason stretch with losses to Boise State and to Big 12 champion Baylor – no shame there – the wins kept on piling up.

– UAB came into the season loaded with experience and talent, and it showed with the best defense in Conference USA, mostly dominating against the run.

– The Blazer offense was a bit inconsistent. There’s a good downfield passing attack, and the ground game was good against the mediocre teams, but overall there were too many key mistakes, lots of penalties, and it was a solid year even though the expectations were for a Conference USA championship.

Why BYU, UAB Will Win
Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Top Players To Know

NEXT: Why BYU Will Win, Why UAB Will Win, Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Prediction

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3

Bowl cancellation leaves Army in the dark

The Independence Bowl was canceled on Sunday, leaving Army in the dark and cold while they hope to somehow find another game.

The list of canceled bowl games grew on Sunday as the Independence Bowl was forced to cancel after they could not find an opponent for Army.

The opponent was supposed to come from the Pac-12 Conference but with so many programs from there opting out of bowl season, finding an opponent for Army couldn’t be done.

Army accepted their invitation to the Independence Bowl way back on October 26, after they improved to 6-1 with a win over Mercer.

However, with other bowls having contracts with various conferences, Army now appears to be left out of the bowl season despite finishing the year 9-2.

Just a brutal end to the season for a group of guys who obviously wanted a chance to win their tenth game of the year together.

Army released a statement Sunday saying they’d continue to try and get a bowl game of some kind figured out:

And a brutal turn of events for this poor guy who was so excited just days ago:

 

Miami Hurricanes roasted by college football fans after dreadful Independence Bowl loss

What an embarrassing loss for Miami.

First of all, congratulate yourself if you didn’t see a minute of Thursday’s Independence Bowl/exhibition game between Louisiana Tech and the Miami Hurricanes. Because is was this one up there with the all-time stinkers.

Second of all, I’m sorry if you’re a Miami Hurricanes fan because this once storied football program might have hit rock bottom again with their awful performance in a 14-0 loss, which ends their season at 6-7.

That final score actually makes this game seem more exciting than it was, which is hard to believe. Louisiana Tech scored a touchdown with two minutes left to make it a two-score game. Before that we saw 16 drives end with a punt, 3 drives end with an interception, and 3 other drives end with fumbles.

Miami had three QBs – Jarren Williams (94 yards passing), N’Kosi Perry (52 yards), and Tate Martell (7 yards) – throw at least one pass and none of them were effective.

Miami’s leading rusher had just 31 yards on 12 carries.

This program used to win national titles. Now they get mocked after brutal performances in a Bowl (exhibition) game:

Bob Diaco Blanks Miami in Independence Bowl

It’s an incredibly small sample size but I feel safe in saying Diaco owns “The U”.

Do enough Notre Dame fans remember the great Bob Diaco?

He was the defensive coordinator on the 2012 squad who took the head job at Connecticut after the 2013 season where he lasted three seasons before being fired.

He ran Nebraska’s defense in 2017 and Oklahoma’s last year before getting the Louisiana Tech D-C job this season.

As you can tell life hasn’t been easy for Diaco since departing Notre Dame but he did have a brush with glory Thursday afternoon as his Louisiana Tech squad shutout the Miami Hurricanes in the Independence Bowl, 14-0.

It’s an incredibly small sample size but I feel safe in saying Diaco owns “The U”.

In two games against Miami this decade his team has allowed three total points as you may recall the 41-3 destruction Notre Dame had of the Hurricanes in 2012.

With the loss Miami finishes 6-7 on the year while Louisiana Tech wraps up 10-3.

Since Miami roughed up Notre Dame late in 2017 the Canes have gone from No. 2 in the nation to 13-16 over their last 29 games.

It may be 29 years since Notre Dame and Miami played annually but I have a hard time believing any Fighting Irish fans feel too bad for Miami after this latest embarrassment.

Independence Bowl: Miami vs. Louisiana Tech odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s Independence Bowl between the Miami Hurricanes and Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, with betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

The Miami Hurricanes (6-6) and Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (9-3) lock horns in the Walk-On’s Independence Bowl Thursday. Kickoff at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, La. is set for 4 p.m. ET. We analyze the Miami-Louisiana Tech odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Miami vs. Louisiana Tech: Three things you need to know

1. The Hurricanes were once one of the most feared teams in all of college football, but seeing them in a bowl game lately is good news for the opponent. ‘The U’ has won just one of its past nine bowl game appearances, a 31-14 win over West Virginia in the Russell Athletic Bowl Dec. 28, 2016. Miami lost its only previous Independence Bowl appearance to South Carolina by a 24-21 count on Dec. 27, 2014.

2. Louisiana Tech, coming on hour west down Interstate 20 from Ruston, has won five straight bowl appearances. The Bulldogs have appeared in the Independence Bowl four times, but not since Dec. 28, 2008, when they topped Northern Illinois 17-10. They’re 2-1-1 all-time in Shreveport.

3. Louisiana Tech is 6-1 against the spread in the past seven bowl games, and 4-1 ATS in the past five neutral-site affairs. Miami is 2-9 ATS in the past 11 on a neutral site, and 1-7 ATS in the past eight bowl appearances.

College football season is almost over! Place your bets on this game, or others, at BetMGM now. Place your bets and win, win, win!

Miami vs. Louisiana Tech: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 2:15 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Louisiana Tech 24, Miami 20

Moneyline (ML)

Miami (-213) is moderately favored in this one, and it’ll draw the eye of the public. However, LOUISIANA TECH (+175) is a tremendous bargain playing just an hour from campus. The Bulldogs will be excited to be in this game with something to prove against a Power 5 team. The Hurricanes aren’t tickled about being in Shreveport for the holidays, a game they feel is beneath their standards. It will show in their play on the field, as it usually does come bowl season.

Against the Spread (ATS)

LOUISIANA TECH (+5.5, -106) is a good play if you just can’t get on board with a straight-up win by the Bulldogs. La. Tech has a strong offense, ranking 30th in total yards per game (445.2) and 31st in passing yards (277.3), while ranking 28th in points scored per game (34.0). The defense is so-so, but that’s fine because so is Miami’s offense. The Hurricanes were 88th in total yards, and 120th in rushing offense while ranking just 73rd in points scored. The key here will be if Miami’s defense shows up. It was 13th in the nation in total yards allowed, but this is also a team which lost to Florida International and Duke down the stretch.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 49.5 (-106) is worth a small-unit bet, but I wouldn’t go crazy. The Under is 15-7 in La. Tech’s past 22 overall, and 5-2 in the past seven bowls. The Under is 7-2 in the past nine neutral-site battles, too. For Miami, the Under is 5-1 in the past six bowls, and 9-3 in the past 12 vs. winning teams.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

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