Timeless Gifts, Beautifully Wrapped
Table of Contents About Radiance Technologies................................................................ 3 Welcome from the Chairwoman............................................................ 4 Game Matchup and Preview............................................................... 8-9 Independence Stadium..........................................................................10 History of the Independence Bowl.............................................. 14-15 Omar N. Bradley Spirit of Independence Award..................... 18-20 Independence Bowl Foundation Leadership........................... 22-23 Coastal Carolina Season in Review.............................................. 30-32 Scouting the Chanticleers......................................................................34 Coastal Carolina Alphabetical Roster.................................................36 Coastal Carolina Depth Chart...............................................................38 Coastal Carolina Season Stats & Leaders..........................................40 Meet the Chanticleers....................................................................... 42-44 Interim Head Coach Jeremiah Johnson............................................46 Coastal Carolina Coaching Staff...........................................................47 Coastal Carolina University............................................................. 48-49 Coastal Carolina Band & Spirit..............................................................50 Coastal Carolina Numerical Roster......................................................52 Louisiana Tech Numerical Roster.........................................................53 Louisiana Tech Season in Review.................................................. 56-58 Scouting the Bulldogs.............................................................................60 Louisiana Tech Alphabetical Roster....................................................62 Louisiana Tech Depth Chart..................................................................64 Louisiana Tech Season Stats & Leaders.............................................66 Meet the Bulldogs.............................................................................. 68-70 Head Coach Sonny Cumbie...................................................................72
Louisiana Tech Coaching Staff..............................................................73 Louisiana Tech University................................................................ 74-75 Louisiana Tech Band & Spirit ................................................................76 Independence Bowl Committee Chairs............................................80 Independence Bowl Foundation & Members.......................... 82-85 Corporate Partners............................................................................. 86-88 Carl Mikovich Sportsperson of the Year............................................91 National Championship-Winning Coaches.....................................92 College and Pro Football Hall of Famers...........................................95 ESPN Broadcast Team..............................................................................96 Year-By-Year Results..................................................................... 100-101 Players of the Game............................................................................... 102 Coaching & Conference Records...................................................... 104 Individual Records................................................................................. 106 Team Records.................................................................................. 108-109 Bowl Participant Award Winners...................................................... 110 Whataburger Scholar Program.......................................................... 114 Willis Knighton Scholarship Recipients.......................................... 120 Show Your Independence Art Contest.................................. 122-123 Coca-Cola Bowl Season........................................................................ 124 Coca-Cola Bowl Season Radio........................................................... 125 In-Game Promotions............................................................................. 126 Inside the I-Bowl..................................................................................... 129 Extra Yard for Teachers Giving............................................................ 132 Upcoming Independence Bowl Events.......................................... 134 Ad Index..................................................................................................... 136
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers The 2025 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl game program was created by Erik Evenson, Director of Communications – with assistance from the sports information staffs at Coastal Carolina and Louisiana Tech. Photos provided by Roger Braniff Sr., Steve Mauldin, Jeremy Hernandez, Brennen Zigler and the Independence Bowl archives. The game program is available digitally-only.
30 34 36 38 40 42 46 47 48 50 52
Season in Review Scouting the Chanticleers Alphabetical Roster Depth Chart Statistics & Leaders Meet the Chanticleers Interim Head Coach Jeremiah Johnson Coaching Staff Coastal Carolina University Band & Spirit Numerical Roster
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Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 53 56 60 62 64 66 68 72 73 74 76
Numerical Roster Season in Review Scouting the Bulldogs Alphabetical Roster Depth Chart Statistics & Leaders Meet the Bulldogs Head Coach Sonny Cumbie Coaching Staff Louisiana Tech University Band & Spirit
SHREVEPORT, LA
2025
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Welcome from the Chairwoman
SARAH GIGLIO 2025 Bowl Chairwoman
MAYOR TOM ARCENEAUX Shreveport Mayor
Dear 2025 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Fans, On behalf of our title sponsor, Radiance Technologies, the Independence Bowl Foundation executive committee, board of directors, staff, and the over 300 foundation members, I am honored to welcome you to Shreveport, Louisiana for the 49th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl. The Independence Bowl has a strong tradition and legacy as the 11th most-historic bowl game in college football. Our bowl began in 1976 and was named after the nation’s bicentennial. Throughout that history, we have hosted some of the top programs, coaches and outstanding players in the history of college football. From coaches like Nick Saban, Steve Spurrier and Frank Beamer to great players like Bruce Smith, Eli Manning and Von Miller, some of the all-time college football greats have stepped on the field in Shreveport. The Independence Bowl has hosted 28 College Football Hall of Famers, six Pro Football Hall of Famers, seven National Championship-winning head coaches and 74 NFL First Round draft picks. The Shreveport-Bossier City Community is proud of this tradition, and we are proud to show Louisiana Tech and Coastal Carolina what our community is all about. If you traveled in for the game, we are excited that you have chosen to visit Northwest Louisiana. We are proud to have the opportunity to host and hope your experience is beyond expectations. We have a great reputation for food, hospitality, entertainment, and most of all, exciting football. We hope that you enjoy everything our region has to offer, including all of our bowl week events and many local attractions. To our tremendous local fans, we thank you for your continued support of the Bowl. We could not do this every year without you. Thank you for attending the 2025 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl. We hope you have a great experience, and we welcome you to visit Shreveport again in the future. Enjoy the game! Sincerely,
Sarah Giglio Sarah Giglio Chairwoman, 2025 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl
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the PARISH OF CADDO IS A PROUD SPONSOR Of the PARISH OF CADDO IS A PROUD SPONSOR Of
ERICA R. BRYANT
Parish Administrator/CEO
STORMY GAGE-WATTS Caddo Commission President
The Parish of Caddo is excited to sponsor another historic matchup at Independence Stadium! We welcome you to Caddo Parish, and invite you stay for a while! Whether it’s our fabulous food, exciting community festivals, letting the “good times roll” at our Mardi Gras parades, or exploring our “Sportsman’s Paradise”, you’re sure to have an amazing time!
ENOUGH Flavor, STYLE and Soul FOR TWO CITIES.
From mouthwatering cuisine to thrilling experiences, riverfront gaming and entertainment, Shreveport-Bossier has a cultural blend you won’t find anywhere else.
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Matchup Breakdown
This is the 49th edition of college football’s 11th most-historic bowl game – the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl. Coastal Carolina is taking the field in Shreveport for the first time, while Louisiana Tech is extending their lead for most Independence Bowl appearances with their seventh trip. This is the first ever meeting between the Chanticleers and Bulldogs, but certainly not the last, as the two will be Sun Belt Conference foes in the future. Established in 1976, the Independence Bowl received its name because of the nation’s bicentennial celebration. Throughout the game’s first 48 years, some of the greatest players, coaches and teams have participated in the Independence Bowl – including 74 First Round NFL Draft picks, six Pro Football Hall of Famers and 28 College Football Hall of Famers – including 2025 inductees Nick Saban and Terrence Metcalf, seven National Championship-wining head coaches, and one Heisman Trophy winner – 2025's Fernando Mendoza. Today, a new generation of talent will be on display at Independence Stadium. Coastal Carolina (6-6, 5-3 Sun Belt) went 3-0 Weeks 8-11 to become bowl eligible for the sixth consecutive season – a stretch they averaged 43 points per game.
Individually, Coastal’s defense produced standout contributors who earned allconference honors. Defensive back Xamarion Gordon led the team with 71 tackles, three interceptions, and three fumble recoveries, anchoring a secondary that often swung momentum with takeaways. Defensive end Zeke Durham-Campbell was one of the Sun Belt’s most disruptive pass rushers, finishing with 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles on the year. Gordon was named Second Team All-Conference and Durham-Campbell earned Third Team All-Conference. Linebackers Dontae Lunan and Tray Brown provided many stops behind the line of scrimmage, with Brown leading the team with nine tackles for loss and Lunan collecting 6.5. Lunan ranked third on the team with 52 total tackles with Brown just behind at 46.
The Coastal Carolina offense went through numerous changes as they navigated through the 2025 campaign. After a rough stretch early in the season, The Chanticleers hit their stride in the second half, revealing an attack capable of both balance and explosiveness. At the center of their resurgence was quarterback Samari Collier, who started the season as a backup. Collier repeatedly provided clutch play — most notably against Georgia State Panthers, where he tallied 246 yards of total offense and four touchdowns, lifting the Chanticleers to a 40–27 win that sealed bowl eligibility. In a signature Thursday-night performance vs. Marshall Thundering Herd, Collier accounted for four total touchdowns, powering a 44–27 comeback win. After providing a mid-season surge, Collier went down with an injury against Georgia Southern on Nov. 15 and has not seen any action since.
Zeke Durham-Campbell
After starting the season with an “air-raid” style offense, Coastal switched to relying heavily on the ground game. Across the season, Coastal ran for over 2,250 yards as a team, showing that the run remains a steady foundation. Leading the charge was junior running back Ja’Vin Simpkins, who finished with 568 yards on the ground and two rushing touchdowns.
Turnovers were a meaningful part of the defense’s identity; the Chants created opportunities with 19 takeaways through the season, capable of tilting field position against opposing offenses. Coastal ranked fifth in the Sun Belt with 11 interceptions and third with 12 forced fumbles, recovering eight of those.
The aerial attack has also shown flashes of depth and versatility. In games like the win over South Alabama Jaguars, the Chanticleers distributed the ball widely: seven different players caught passes, including a touchdown from Collier to Malick Meiga and another to Robby Washington. This season, eight different receivers have caught touchdowns, with Karmello English leading the group with three. First-year offensive coordinator Drew Hollinghead hasn’t shied away from pulling out the trick play, as receiver Bryson Graves has completed four passes and connected with Jameson Tucker for a 75-yard touchdown pass against Georgia Southern.
Coastal’s special teams unit enters the Independence Bowl as an impactful piece of their identity, featuring a reliable kicking and punting game, with skilled returners to improve field position. Coastal received extreme consistency on field goals, connecting on 17 of their 21 attempts this season and went 31-31 on PATs, one of six Sun Belt teams to convert on every extra point. Kian Afrookhteh missed just two field goal attempts all year, making a total of 15 with his longest being 44. He was named All-Sun Belt honorable mention following the regular season. Philippe Laforge was the specialist in long-yardage situations, making two field goals and a long of 51. Laforge also handled kickoffs, tallying 36 touchbacks in 58 tries with an average of 63.8 yards per kickoff. Emile Sebafundi covered the punting duties, averaging 42.6 yards with six punts going for over 50 yards. He placed 13 punts inside the 20-yard line, pinning opponents deep in their own territory.
As the Chanticleers prepare for the bowl, their defense enters the game with a mission: reclaim the aggressiveness and consistency that fueled their best performances this season. Despite a challenging slate, Coastal produced plenty of highlights throughout the season. Interim head coach Jeremiah Johnson served as the defensive coordinator in his first season with the Chants, dubbing his group the “Soul Collectors”. The Chants look to live up to that name and grab their third bowl victory. The Chanticleers posted their first shutout since 2020 with a 13-0 blanking of Charleston Southern on Sept. 7, holding the Buccaneers to just 153 yards of total offense. Coastal’s most memorable defensive performance came on Oct. 30 against Marshall, where the Chants forced four turnovers – all in the third quarter – to rally for a 44-27 victory.
The Chanticleer return unit was highlighted by Malcolm Gillie, averaging just over 26 yards per kick return and a touchdown, scored on a 96-yard return against Georgia Southern. Gillie was named All-Sun Belt honorable mention for his kick returning duties. Bryson Graves handled the punt returns, with a total of 13 for 105 yards and a long of 29. For more information on the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, visit pages 28-52.
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Matchup Breakdown
Louisiana Tech (7-5, 5-3 CUSA) posted its first winning season since 2019. The Bulldogs went 5-1 at home and recorded their most road wins in the past five seasons. Tech had nine players earn All-Conference USA honors, led by Co-Defensive Player of the Year Jacob Fields. The Bulldogs also collected nine CUSA weekly awards and four national honors during the season.
up front. Oguns led the group with 29 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss, while Kansas State transfer Donovan Rieman excelled in his first season in Ruston, posting 28 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. In total, the Bulldogs’ defensive line combined for 18.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, with four players recording multiple tackles for loss. LA Tech’s linebacking corps proved to be one of the team’s strongest units despite an early season-ending injury to CUSA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Kolbe Fields. Fields appeared in five games and still finished with 39 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, two interceptions and one touchdown.
The Bulldogs' offense was led by a rushing attack that averaged 197 yards per game, helping them score 30 or more points in six games this season. Tech recorded four 300yard rushing games and one 400-yard rushing game while finishing with the nation's 22nd best rushing offense (196.6 yards per game).
Mehki Mason led the group with 68 tackles and paced both the team and the conference with 14.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Redshirt freshman Jadon Mayfield delivered a strong campaign as well, recording 57 tackles, nine tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Sifa Leota added 52 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. In total, the linebacker unit combined for 287 tackles, 40.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, four interceptions and two touchdowns.
The Bulldog offense featured two quarterbacks this season in Trey Kukuk and Blake Baker. Kukuk started the first two games before Baker took over for the next seven. Baker was lost for the season after suffering a torn ACL against Delaware, and with Kukuk banged up, Evan Bullock made the start against Washington State before an injury sidelined him for the remainder of the year. Kukuk returned to the starting role for the final two games and took full advantage, recording back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances to close the season and secure a winning record for the Bulldogs. In addition to Kukuk’s two 100yard rushing games, Baker added one against Sam Houston, something a Louisiana Tech quarterback had accomplished only once before this season.
Tech’s defensive backfield, featuring three safeties and two cornerbacks, was one of the team’s most dynamic units this season. All-American safety Jakari Foster, the Bulldogs’ secondary recorded 15 interceptions, four touchdowns and 41 pass breakups. Foster led the nation with seven interceptions, becoming the first FBS player to reach that mark in a season since 2022. The senior added 54 tackles and four pass breakups.
Louisiana Tech running backs Clay Thevenin, Andrew Burnette and Omiri Wiggins combined for 1,593 yards and 20 touchdowns on 309 attempts. The trio logged three 100-yard performances, with each player recording one.
The Bulldogs held four opponents under 150 passing yards and did not allow a passing touchdown in two games. Louisiana Tech special teams, led by assistant head coach Dan Sharp, proved to provide explosive plays in the return game and a punter who was able to consistently flip the field all season long.
Nine Louisiana Tech wide receivers caught a pass this season, combining for 100 receptions, 1,183 yards and six touchdowns. Marques Singleton Jr. led the group with 23 receptions, followed by Devin Gandy with 22 and Jalen Mickens with 20. The Bulldogs frequently used two-tight-end sets this season, relying on Eli Finley and Brayden Bockler. Finley played in all 12 games with 11 starts, while Bockler appeared in all 12 games with one start. Finley led the team in receptions (37) and receiving yards (440).
After making his collegiate debut in last year’s Independence Bowl, do-it-all kicker and punter John Hoyet Chance served as the team’s primary punter and kickoff specialist, while also handling several long field-goal attempts. The Shreveport native finished the regular season with 58 punts for 2,724 yards, averaging 46.97 yards per punt. He led the nation with 28 punts of 50 yards or more and ranked third nationally with 26 punts downed inside the 20. His season-long punt of 72 yards was tied for the longest in Conference USA, and he recorded at least one punt of 50 yards or more in all 12 games, including five games with punts of 60 yards or longer. He also recorded 53 touchbacks on 58 kickoff opportunities, totaling 3,786 yards.
Andrew Burnette
Defensively, the Bulldogs led the nation with seven defensive touchdowns and ranked third in the FBS with 20 interceptions. The Bulldogs have the No. 1 scoring defense in CUSA (21.3 points per game) and the No. 1 rushing defense in CUSA (142.1 yards per game).
In the return game, Tech totaled two kickoff returns for touchdowns, both by Devin Gandy, a First Team All-CUSA kick returner. Gandy led the conference in kickoff return yards (467), touchdowns (2) and average (31.1 yards per return), and was the only CUSA player to eclipse 400 kick return yards. Punt returner Dedrick Latulas also earned All-CUSA honors after returning 18 punts for 170 yards, averaging 9.44 yards per return.
Louisiana Tech relied on a deep defensive line rotation throughout the season, frequently substituting three fresh players every few snaps. Defensive end Emmanuel Oguns was the only lineman to start all 12 games. Jayden Madkins and Zion Nason each made 10 starts
For more information on the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, visit pages 53-76.
The 2025 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl figures to be another exciting matchup! From the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl staff and the entire Independence Bowl Foundation membership, thank you for choosing to spend time during the holiday season with us, and we hope you enjoy the game and your stay in Shreveport-Bossier City!
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Independence Stadium CLEAR BAG POLICY
Fans are encouraged not to bring any types of bags inside the stadium; however, the following outlines bags that are permitted: • Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12”; • One-gallon clear plastic bags (Ziploc bag or similar); • Small clutch bags, with or without a handle or strap, that do not exceed 4.5” x 6.5” (approximately the size of a hand). • An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at a gate designated for this purpose. • An approved logo no larger than 4.5” x 3.4” may be displayed on one side of a permissible clear bag. Prohibited bags include, but are not limited to: purses larger than a clutch bag; briefcases; backpacks, cinch bags, and fanny packs that are not clear and/or exceed the size restriction; luggage of any kind; computer bags/cases; camera bags/cases; binocular bags/cases or any bag larger than the permissible size. For the full policy, please visit IndependenceBowl.org/stadium-rules/.
FIRST AID
Independence Stadium will have Shreveport Fire/ EMS representatives present throughout the game. To request assistance, see the nearest gate agent or Shreveport Police officer.
PROHIBITED ITEMS
Items Prohibited From Independence Stadium:
• • • • • • • • • • • •
Firearms Knives Straight Blades Pocket Tools Mace Tazer/Stun Guns Ice Chests or Coolers Umbrellas Banners or Signs Video Cameras E-cigarettes Drones
• Bags that do not meet the criteria of the Clear Bag Policy • Telephoto lenses longer than 6 inches • Outside Food or Drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) • Smoking and vaping are NOT permitted inside the stadium
Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is prohibited throughout Independence Stadium.
LOST PATRONS
Lost patrons should contact the nearest police officer who will escort them to the Security Office, located in the southwest corner of the stadium.
LOST AND FOUND
Lost and Found is located in the southwest corner of the stadium at the Security Office. For further assistance, contact the nearest SPD Officer or usher.
GATES OPEN
On game day, the gates to Independence Stadium will open for fan entry two hours before the game at approximately 6:15 p.m. CST.
INDEPENDENCE STADIUM CLEAR BAG POLICY ATM’s will be available in the parking/tailgating CONCESSIONS areas outside of the stadium on the State Fair Concessions are located throughout the stadium, Grounds. ATM’s will also be located inside the both on the ground level and along the upper stadium. concourse. APPROVED ITEMS
PROHIBITED ITEMS ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND ILLEGAL DRUGS ANIMALS (except service animals) BALLS, FRISBEES, WHOLE FRUIT OR PROJECTILES BICYCLES, SKATEBOARDS OR SCOOTERS
APPROVED BAGS
RE-ENTRY POLICY
Fans will not be permitted to leave Independence Stadium and re-enter the stadium grounds.
TICKET WILL-CALL
Ticket will-call is located at the ticket window in the northeast corner of Independence Stadium at Gate 4. Picture ID is required.
GATES & ENTRANCES
SMOKING & VAPING
ATM’s
✘ ✘ ✘ ✘
RESTROOMS
Men’s and women’s facilities are located throughout the stadium, both on the ground level and along the upper concourse. For your security, attendants will be stationed in the restrooms.
PROHIBITED BAGS
Independence Stadium Clear Bag Policy
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Sections 100-102, 200-202: Gate 2 Sections 103-108, 203-205: Gate 3 Sections 109-115, 212-215: Gate 4 Sections 116-124, 216-224: Gate 1 Sections 125-130, 225-230: Gate 2 Sections 423-426: Club Gate Suite A-F: Club Gate North Suite: Gate 3 South Suite: Gate 2 North Tents & Chairman’s Club: Gates 3 or 4
NCAA PLAYER GUEST TICKET WILL CALL & GATES
Team will-call booths and the NCAA Player Pass Gates will open two (2) hours prior to kickoff unless otherwise stated by the participating institutions. Gates will be located at the locations listed below: Conference USA Will Call & NCAA Player Pass Gate: West Ticket Booth east of Gate #3 Big 12 Will Call & NCAA Player Pass Gate: East Ticket Booth west of Gate #4
SHREVEPORT, LA
Strategic Growth, Unstoppable Impact Radiance Technologies is driving defense innovation through rapid expansion and strategic acquisitions. By joining forces with Verus Research and Phased n Research, we have amplified our expertise and strengthened our national security solutions. Our recent collaboration with Louisiana Tech University further accelerates this momentum, promising a state-of-the-art microchip packaging facility that will bring secure semiconductor technology back to the U.S. Our momentum is unstoppable - we are shaping the future of defense technology and tackling the nation’s toughest challenges. Experience a new era of defense innovation.
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2025
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History of the Independence Bowl In honor of the United States’ 200th birthday and the strong military presence in the Shreveport-Bossier City area, the Sports Foundation’s board of directors felt the name “Independence Bowl” would be a fitting tribute to the men and women who have fought for the United States’ freedom and independence. The Independence Bowl has been a staple in the community for more than five decades, and continues to be the premier annual sporting event in North Louisiana 49 years later.
MCneese State (1976)
The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl – the nation’s 11tholdest bowl game – has a rich history that spans more than five decades. On Dec. 13, 1976, McNeese State defeated Tulsa in the inaugural game. The Southland Conference sent a team to Shreveport for the first five years of the Bowl’s existence, but in 1981, the Bowl’s leadership voted to be open on both sides, giving them the opportunity to scour the country for the best teams available in the NCAA Division I-A ranks.
That first year, the Independence Bowl struck gold as the Aggies of Texas A&M traveled to take on the Cowboys of Oklahoma State. This storied rivalry between the Southwest Conference and Big-Eight Conference drew national attention to the Shreveport-Bossier City area. The first Southeastern Conference team to make an appearance in the Independence Bowl was the University of Mississippi in 1983. The Air Force Falcons, battled the Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma State (1981) explosive Rebels in a torrential downpour to carry home a 9–3 victory. In 1990, Louisiana Tech tied Maryland 34-34 in the first Poulan/Weed Eater Independence Bowl and the only tie in I-Bowl history. A record-breaking crowd of 48,325 filled Independence Stadium. In 1995 the Poulan/Weed Eater Independence Bowl took another giant step in its continuing climb up the ladder of postseason games, signing a three-year agreement with the SEC for the fifth selection out of one of the nation’s premier football conferences. Later that year the bowl enjoyed a sellout crowd with in-state favorite LSU taking on the Nick Saban’s Michigan State squad. The Tigers and Spartans put on one of the most memorable sequences in Independence Bowl history, as each team returned a kickoff for a touchdown on backto-back plays. LSU’s Eddie Kennison notched an 92-yard return TD, while Sparty’s Eddie Kennison Derrick Mason(Lsu, set1995) the Independence Bowl record with a 100-yard return. LSU ultimately prevailed 45-26. The 1997 game was a regular season rematch between the Tigers of LSU and Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, played on a frigid night at Independence Stadium. LSU avenged a 24-6 loss a month earlier in Baton Rouge by besting the Irish 27–9 in front of an all-time record crowd of 50,459. Poulan/Weed Eater announced in April of 1997 that it would no longer be the game’s title sponsor. At that time Glen Krupica, Independence Bowl Executive Director, and a search committee, began the task of finding the second title sponsor of the Independence Bowl. In just under a year Sanford stepped up as the new title sponsor, signing on for three years.
BIRTH OF A BOWL (1976)
The Sports Foundation gained certification for the Independence Bowl from the NCAA on its first try. The Southland Conference champion served as the host team. The first game featuring McNeese State and Tulsa had a budget of $75,000 and paid each participating team $25,000, drawing 19,164 fans.
PURSUIT (1981)
The I-Bowl pursued and achieved openended status on both sides ending the affiliation with the Southland. Texas A&M from the Southwest Conference defeated Jimmy Johnson and Oklahoma State from the Big Eight, 33-16.
FIRST TITLE SPONSOR (1990)
Poulan/Weed Eater signed on as the game’s first title sponsor in 1990.
ESPN (1992)
The 1992 matchup between Wake Forest and Oregon marked the first Independence Bowl to be shown on ESPN. The 2025 game is the 33rd consecutive Independence Bowl on an ESPN network.
SEC TIE-IN (1995)
Notre Dame vs. LSU (1997)
Bob Stoop’s Oklahoma Sooners and David Cutcliffe’s Ole Miss Rebels met on New Year’s Eve in 1999 for the 24th Independence Bowl. Ole Miss made its fourth appearance in the game while the Sooners made their debut. Led by quarterback, now prominent head coach, Josh Heupel, Oklahoma got out to an early lead and appeared to be dominating the Rebels. Ole Miss fought back and won the battle 27-25 on a field goal in the final seconds. It was the last football game of 1999 and the first game of the new millennium in the eastern time zone, as it ended at 12:03 a.m.
Snow Bowl (2000)
HISTORIC MILESTONES
The 2000 matchup has become known as the “Snow Bowl.” R.C. Slocum’s Texas A&M Aggies and Jackie Sherrill’s Mississippi State Bulldogs met in the 25th anniversary game in a driving snowstorm that began during pregame warmups and continued throughout the entire game. Mississippi State won in overtime by a score of 43–41. The 2000 Independence Bowl garnered a 4.2 television rating, the second highest in I-Bowl history.
In 2002, Shreveport hosted one of college football’s most storied programs, as the Nebraska Cornhuskers came to town for a matchup with Eli Manning and the Ole Miss Rebels. It was a close one, as the Rebels came back from a 17-14 halftime deficit to beat the Huskers 27-23. It marked Ole Miss David Cutcliffe’s third I-Bowl win in as many appearances.
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The Poulan/Weed Eater Independence Bowl reached an agreement with the SEC to secure the fifth choice from the prestigious conference.
BIGGEST MATCHUP (1997)
The Bowl had its best-case scenario as local favorite LSU was selected to play Notre Dame, drawing the game’s largest crowd.
NEXT TITLE SPONSOR (1998)
Sanford became the Bowl’s second title sponsor, signing a three-year deal.
BIG 12 TIE-IN (1999)
I-Bowl officials reached a three-year agreement with the Big 12 to provide a team to the post-season game.
SEC RENEWAL (1999)
The partnership with the SEC was extended through 2001.
Eli Manning (Ole Miss, 2002)
History of the Independence Bowl HISTORIC MILESTONES MAINSTAY (2001)
In January 2001, MainStay signed on as the newest title sponsor – signing an agreement through 2003.
CONFERENCE AGREEMENTS (2005)
2005 marked the 30th anniversary of the Independence Bowl, and the matchup between Missouri and South Carolina provided the 41,332 in attendance with a showdown for the ages. South Carolina, making its debut in the Independence Bowl and led by legendary head coach Steve Spurrier, raced out to a 21-0 lead after one quarter of play before Missouri rallied for an eventual 38-31 victory. The Tigers, which had lost the 2003 game to Arkansas, evened their all-time record in the I-Bowl to 1-1. Quarterback Brad Smith was named the game’s Offensive MVP after setting an Independence Bowl record with 432 total yards and scoring four touchdowns.
Agreements with both the Big 12 and SEC were renewed through 2009.
ACC VS. MWC (2010)
In 2010, the I-Bowl announced a new match up of teams from the ACC and Mountain West. Those partnerships ran through 2011.
SEC VS. ACC (2012)
In 2012, the Bowl announced it resumed its partnership with the SEC. In 2013, the Foundation signed extensions with both conferences through 2019.
WALK-ON’S BISTREAUX & BAR (2017)
A.J. Green (UGA, 2009)
Steve Spurrier (2005)
The 2009 game will go down in I-Bowl history as one of the most memorable games for many reasons. The marquee matchup between the Texas A&M Aggies and Georgia Bulldogs helped AdvoCare put an exclamation point on its first year as the bowl’s title sponsor, and a sellout crowd enjoyed a beautiful day at Independence Stadium between two traditional college football programs. The Bulldogs ran away from the Aggies in the second half, expanding a 14-7 halftime lead into a 44-20 final margin in front of 49,653 fans. Georgia’s Brandon Boykin returned a kickoff 81 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter, and the Bulldogs rushed for 208 yards en route to the convincing victory. The game was the highest-rated bowl game ever to be played on ESPN2 at the time.
In 2014, Shreveport hosted its first ACC vs. SEC matchup, as Miami took on South Carolina. The Gamecocks held on for a 24-21 victory in Steve Spurrier’s final bowl game.
In 2017, the I-Bowl announced Baton Rouge-based Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar as the title sponsor in a three-year partnership – bringing together two Louisiana-based brands, with Walk-On’s set to expand across the Southeastern U.S., and ran through 2019.
2015 was the 40th anniversary of the I-Bowl and one of the most memorable. Legendary Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer concluded his decorated coaching career with a 55-52 win over Tulsa in the very same bowl he won his first bowl game in 23 years prior (1993). The teams obliterated the Bowl record book – combining for the most points (107), touchdowns (14), rushing touchdowns (9), yards (1,161), most points scored in a quarter (145), and they even combined for the most points all-time in a half (76) across all bowl games.
RADIANCE TECHNOLOGIES (2020)
Between 2018 and 2023, each game wrote its way into the record books in their own unique ways.
UNIQUE BOWL TIE-INS (2020)
Three years after Virginia Tech and Tulsa rewrote the record book, Duke did it again in a 56-27 victory over Temple in 2018. The victory was an I-Bowl record fourth for Duke head coach David Cutcliffe, who improved to 4-0 in his appearances with Ole Miss and Duke. Despite Temple’s 27-21 halftime lead, Duke stormed back with an I-Bowl record 35 second half points to set the record for most points in an I-Bowl (56). 6th-overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft Daniel Jones set I-Bowl records for passing yards (423), passing touchdowns (5) and total touchdowns (6), while wide receiver T.J. Rahming set the record for receiving yards (240) and broke Kevin Faulk’s record for all-purpose yards (286).
The Bowl announced a five-year partnership with prime contractor Radiance Technologies in 2020 and then agreed to a one-year extension in 2021 – extending the partnership through 2025. The partnership bridged together Radiance, who work extensively with the U.S. Military, with the Bowl that was named after the nation’s bicentennial.
The new agreements announced in 2020 bring a rotation of independents Army West Point and BYU to face off against a rotation of the Pac-12, American and CUSA.
RETURN OF THE BIG 12 (2023)
The Bowl announced in May 2023 the return of the Big 12 Conference as a primary tie-in for the bowl for the first time since 2009. With BYU moving to the Big 12, the conference became the primary tie-in for 2023 and 2025.
On the complete other end of the spectrum, Louisiana Tech wrote themselves into I-Bowl history in 2019, as they recorded the first shutout in the history of the bowl – defeating Miami 14-0. In 2021, BYU became the highest-ranked team in I-Bowl history – entering the game ranked No. 13 in the College Football Playoff Rankings. UAB, however, surprised the Cougars on a rainy Saturday, defeating BYU 31-28 in a back-and-forth battle. 2022 was the coldest game in Independence Bowl history, staying under 25 degrees the whole game. Louisiana became the final in-state FBS program to play in the Independence Bowl but fell to Houston, 23-16, on a touchdown with 20 seconds left in the game.
AMERICAN CONFERENCE TIE-IN (2024)
In 2023, California scored the quickest touchdown in I-Bowl history – scoring 15 seconds into the game on their first offensive play of the game. Texas Tech bounced back – scoring 27 unanswered points in the final three quarters to win their first I-Bowl in three tries.
With Army joining The American in 2024, the I-Bowl and American agreed to a primary tiein – replacing the primary tie-in with Army.
RADIANCE EXTENSION (2025)
In August 2025, Radiance announced an extension of their title sponsorship through at least 2027, with three one-year options to extend the sponsorship through 2030.
Daniel JOnes (Duke, 2018)
Army vs. Louisiana Tech (2024)
Last year, Army West Point returned to Shreveport for the first time since 1996 and earned their first I-Bowl victory, defeating Louisiana Tech, 27-6. Army quarterback Bryson Daily rushed for three touchdowns in the game – bringing him to 32 on the season and passing former Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds for the most rushing touchdowns in a season by a quarterback.
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Omar N. Bradley Spirit of Independence Award The Sports Foundation developed the patriotic theme, which is so prominent today in the annual postseason football classic’s activities. Foundation directors decided to recognize an outstanding American citizen or organization each year, with the Spirit of Independence Award. The first recipient was General Omar N. Bradley, the only living five-star general in the United States at that time. The portrait of the man reveals a combination of honesty, strength and determination in a face also able to yield to a subtle humor when the occasion merited. Bradley and his successors symbolize the “Spirit of Freedom and Independence,” which the award was established to recognize.
1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
AWARD RECIPIENTS
General Omar N. Bradley John Wayne Bob Hope Paul Harvey President Ronald Reagan Art Linkletter Danny Thomas U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, Demonstration Squadron Vietnam Veterans National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Brigadier General Charles E. Yeager Coach Eddie Robinson Harlem Globetrotters Boy Scouts of America Barksdale Air Force Base Shriner’s Hospital for Children Sandra Day O’Connor YMCA American Red Cross Veterans of Foreign Wars Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Firefighters of America World War II Veterans General Gabriel P. Disosway Heroes of New York City Congressional Medal of Honor Society Hal Sutton General Tommy Franks General Russel Honore General Harold Moore Shreveport-Bossier Community Renewal “Team Hoyt” National Football Foundation St. Jude Children’s Hospital General Charles C. “Hondo” Campbell Wounded Warrior Project Doolittle Raiders Tuskegee Airmen Berlin Airlift Veterans Veterans of the Battle of Chosin Reservoir Jacob Schick, USMC (ret.) Brigadier General Jeannie M. Leavitt Lt. Gen. James M. Kowalski, USAF (ret.) Lt. Gen. Joseph M. Cosumano, USA (ret.) Veterans of Operation SENIOR SURPRISE Women Airforce Service Pilots General Bryan P. Fenton General (Ret.) Charles A. Flynn
The following year, and until his death, General Bradley presented the Spirit of Independence Award to his fellow recipients. After his death, the General’s name was added to the award. Information about the 2025 recipient of the award, General (Ret.) Charles A. Flynn, is on page 20.
GENERAL OMAR N. BRADLEY A 1915 graduate of West Point, Bradley retired from the Army in 1953 with the rank of fivestar general. Bradley was a commandant of the infantry school (Fort Benning, Ga.) and the commander of the 82nd and 28th divisions. As commander of II Corps he played a major role in the victory at Tunisia in 1943. His forces also were involved in the capture of the island of Sicily in August, 1943. Following D-Day, Bradley commanded the 12th Army Group which played a significant role in the defeat of the Germans in Europe. His GENERAL OMAR N. BRADLEY forces liberated Paris on August 25, 1944. During his career, Bradley earned a reputation as being one of the best infantry commanders in World War II. Bradley’s post-war duties involved running the Veteran’s Administration (1945-47), and serving as Army Chief of Staff (1948-1953). Bradley, in his military assignment, replaced General Douglas MacArthur as the supreme allied commander in Korea. He also served as chairman of the board for the Bullova Watch Company. A classmate and friend of General Dwight Eisenhower, Bradley received his fifth general’s star in 1950. His 1915 class at West Point was named the “class the stars fell on,” as 36 percent of the 164 graduates in that year attained the rank of brigadier general or higher.
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Omar N. Bradley Spirit of Independence Award 2025 RECIPIENT: GENERAL (RET.) CHARLES A. FLYNN 2025 brings one of the Omar N. Bradley Spirit of Independence Award's most decorated recipients – General (Ret.) Charles A. Flynn. “I am honored to receive the Omar N. Bradley Spirit of Independence Award," said General (Ret.) Flynn. "General Bradley’s legacy reminds us that freedom and service are inseparable. This award reflects the dedication of the Soldiers, civilians, and families I’ve been privileged to serve alongside and throughout my career, and I accept it on their behalf with deep gratitude and immense pride.” General Flynn is a retired United States Army general who served in the U.S. Army from 1985 to 2024. His most recent post was as the commanding general of United States Army Pacific at Fort Shafter, Hawaii from 2021 to 2024. Throughout his illustrious career, he held a variety of command and leadership positions, and he has received numerous awards and honors. General Flynn’s awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal (one oak leaf cluster), Legion of Merit (two oak leaf clusters), Bronze Star (four oak leaf clusters), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (one oak leaf cluster), the Meritorious Service Medal (two oak leaf clusters), Combat Infantryman’s Badge (with star), Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Ranger Tab and Pathfinder Badge. To begin his career, Flynn was an Infantry officer and completed Ranger, Airborne and Pathfinder courses. Early in his career, he was the commander of A Company, 4th Battalion, 325th Infantry Regiment and A Company 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. Later, he commanded the 2nd Battalion, 504th Infantry Regiment and deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He then deployed to Iraq again as commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. General Flynn continued to advance through the ranks and served as the Executive Assistant for the Director of the Joint Staff and Executive Officer of the Commander for the Commander of International Security Assistance Force, United States Forces –Afghanistan. He then served as the Director of the Mission Command Center of Excellence and acting Commander of the United States Army Combined Arms Center. The 82nd Airborne Division was again his next stop, as he served as the Deputy Commander for Operations and Assistant Operations Officer for Readiness for United States Army Forces Command. General Flynn then served as the 25th Infantry Division Commander before becoming the Deputy Commanding General for the United States Army Pacific. On November 30, 2020, Flynn's nomination for promotion to general was submitted to the United States Senate and was confirmed on December 20, 2020. After serving as Deputy Chief of Staff for Army operations, plans and training at the Pentagon, General Flynn assumed command of the United States Army's largest Service Component Command, U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC), on June 4, 2021.
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Independence Bowl Foundation Leadership
SARAH GIGLIO 2025 Chairwoman
KEITH BURTON Vice-Chairman
GREG LOTT 1st Vice-Chairman
TIM WILHITE 2nd Vice-Chairman
Radiance Technologies independence Bowl Staff
MISSY SETTERS Executive Director
BROOKS ANDERSON Director of Ticket Sales & Operations
EMALEE BUTLER Business Manager
ERIK EVENSON Director of Communications
JENNIFER RIDER Director of Events and Operations
2025 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
2025 SELECTION COMMITTEE
SARAH GIGLIO 2025 Chairwoman
KEITH BURTON Vice-Chairman
GREG LOTT 1st Vice-Chairman
TIM WILHITE 2nd Vice-Chairman
JAYCE SIMPSON Treasurer
JOHN DAVID PERSON Secretary
CLAIRE REBOUCHE Immediate Past Chair
TYLER WILLIAMS Three-Year Term
VICTOR MAINIERO Three-Year Term
TAYLOR JAMISON Two-Year Term
LEE HOLMES Two-Year Term
DOUG BLAND One-Year Term
CINDY SMITH One-Year Term
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MATT SHANKLIN Director of Partnership Development
SCOUTING MEMBER: Eric Barkley Doug Bland Keith Burton Art Carmody IV Sarah Giglio Trey Giglio Pesky Hill Taylor Jamison Greg Lott Michael Melerine Claire Rebouche Darrell Rebouche Rob Rubel Bert Schmale Jayce Simpson Cindy Smith Tim Wilhite Tyler Williams ADVISORY MEMBER: Ken Antee Pam Beck Toni Goodin Mike McCarthy Bryan Roppolo
Independence Bowl Foundation Leadership PAST CHAIRMEN & CHAIRWOMEN
LEE BRYANT 1976
ED POWELL 1977
BILL BRANDON SKIPPY SHIRLEY MILTON CHAPMAN 1978 1979 1980, 1981
SMOKEY HYDE 1987
MIKE COLLIER 1988
JOHN FRAZIER 1989
BRANT GOYNE 1990
RICHARD CALDWELL SANDY CIMINO 1998 1999
KEN ANTEE 1997
KEN HANNA 1982
TRACY JACKSON 1983
CECIL LLOYD 1984, 1985
JIM THOMPSON 1986
ORVIS SIGLER 1991, 1992
MIKE McCARTHY 1993
BOB BROWN 1994
PESKY HILL 2000
LINDY BRODERICK 2001
RANDY JAMES 2002
DON JAGOT 2003
JACK LEE 2004
DAVID NICHOLS 2005
PAUL PRATT 2014
CARL MIKOVICH RICK HOLLAND 1995 1996
MARKEY PIERRE 2006
JOE DARWIN 2007
KEITH BERGERON 2008
TONI GOODIN 2009
JIM HAGAN 2010
FRED SEXTON JR. 2011
JACK ANDRES 2012
JOHN HUBBARD 2013
KYLE McINNIS 2015
ERIC BARKLEY 2016
DARIN SEAL 2017
TREY GIGLIO 2018
ART CARMODY IV 2019
FRANK AUER 2020, 2021
ROB RUBEL 2022
BRYAN ROPPOLO CLAIRE REBOUCHE 2023 2024
2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS THREE-YEAR TERM Javin Bowman Linda Effinger Robert Elder Alan Germany Emily Harms Lyndon Johnson Jonathan Little Jay Manno Robert Pou Stan Powell Tammy Rhodes Bert Schmale Hayden Slack Rob VanHoy Tim Wilhite Scott Wysong
TWO-YEAR TERM Doug Bland Keith Burton Tammy Daniels Sarah Giglio Laura Harper Dwayne Hull Dr. Donna Johnson Logan Lewis Phyllis Mason John McCorkle Dr. LaTonya Mister Marla Mitchell Jayce Simpson Cindy Smith Tyler Williams Crystal Wooldridge Marcus Wren
ONE-YEAR TERM
LIFE DIRECTORS
Dr. Michael Angelo Lawrence Calhoun Rodney Clements Jim Dean Curtis Elkins Derris Gardner Lee Holmes Mekkos Jones Greg Lott Victor Mainiero Michael Melerine Grant Nuckolls John David Person Jonathan Reynolds Phil Stewart
Jerry Anderson Ken Antee Frank Auer Eric Barkley Pam Beck Keith Bergeron Art Carmody IV Sandy Cimino Angie Costakis Joe Darwin David Dethloff Shane Dulany Jarred Franklin John Frazier Trey Giglio Vince Giglio
For more information on the Independence Bowl Foundation, go to pages 80-88.
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LIFE DIRECTORS Toni Goodin Pesky Hill Rick Holland Randy James Fred Kent Mike McCarthy Kyle McInnis Peggy Mitchell Tony Papa Markey Pierre Claire Rebouche Darrell Rebouche Bryan Roppolo Rob Rubel Darin Seal Linda Sell
EX-OFFICIO
Mayor Tom Arceneaux Robb Brazzell Mayor Tommy Chandler Jessica Hemingway Taylor Jamison Dr. Tim Magner Sara Nelms Shelly Ragle Jerry Skievaski
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Coastal Carolina Season in Review GAME 1
Quarterback Tad Hudson provided the game's only touchdown, capping a 16-play, 83-yard drive with a 4-yard keeper early in the fourth. Kicker Kian Afrookhteh hit field goals from 21 and 29 yards, giving the Chants all the points they would need.
Virginia 48, Coastal Carolina 7
Aug. 30 | Scott Stadium | Charlottesville, Va.
MJ Morris started and played the first three quarters, going 13-of-22 for 102 yards with three interceptions. He ran it four times and had an 11-yard long for a rush.
Coastal Carolina football dropped a 48-7 game to Virginia in the 2025 season opener at Scott Stadium.
Charleston Southern never crossed the 50-yard line in the second half. Quarterback Zolten Osborne finished 10-of-22 for 55 yards with one interception, while running back Ke'Marion Baldwin had 62 yards rushing.
UVA held a narrow 7-0 advantage after the first quarter of action before eventually scoring 21 points in the second to take a 28-0 lead into halftime. The Chanticleers closed out the game out gaining Virginia, 168-122, in the second half.
GAME 3
Quarterback MJ Morris finished 20-36 with 163 yards passing and one interception. Running back Dominic Knicely was the leading rusher with 27 yards on seven carries. Ja’Vin Simpkins accounted for the only Chanticleer score with an eight-yard touchdown rush in the third quarter.
East Carolina 38, Coastal Carolina 0
Sept. 13 | Brooks Stadium | Conway, S.C.
Coastal Carolina 13, Charleston Southern
Coastal Carolina could not overcome East Carolina's defense as the Pirates rolled to a 38-0 win at Brooks Stadium. Coastal Carolina (1-2) was shut out for the first time since Oct. 29, 2011 — a 42-0 loss at Stony Brook — and managed just 239 total yards. Quarterback Tad Hudson completed 19 of 39 passes for 172 yards but was intercepted twice and sacked five times.
Coastal Carolina leaned on its defense and a grinding rushing attack to blank Charleston Southern 13-0 before a Brooks Stadium-record crowd of 22,217.
The Chants were their own worst enemy at times as untimely penalties wiped out gains of 47 and 21 yards in the third quarter. Overall, Coastal was penalized seven times for 55 yards along with five turnovers which ECU converted into 14 points.
GAME 2
Sept. 7 | Brooks Stadium | Conway, S.C.
The Chanticleers (1-1) limited the Buccaneers (0-2) to just 153 total yards, forced an interception and posted their first shutout since 2020.
ECU QB Katin Houser threw for 293 yards and two touchdowns, while ECU piled up 497 yards of total offense. The Pirates (2-1) sealed the game with three fourth-quarter touchdowns after taking a 17-0 lead into the final period.
Running back Dominic Knicely set the tone with 92 yards on nine carries, including a 52-yard burst in the third quarter that flipped field position. Ja'Vin Simpkins added 58 yards on the ground, while Jalen John chipped in 51. In all, Coastal ran for 245 yards.
Running backs Parker Jenkins, Mike Wright Jr., and TJ Engleman Jr. each added rushing touchdowns as ECU controlled the line of scrimmage, finishing with 204 rushing yards.
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GAME 4
GAME 5
Sept. 20 | Hancock Whitney Stadium | Mobile, Ala.
Oct. 4 | S.B. Ballard Stadium | Norfolk, Va.
Coastal Carolina 38, South Alabama 20
Old Dominion 47, Coastal Carolina 7
Coastal Carolina opened Sun Belt play with a 3820 road win over South Alabama, powered by complimentary football in all three phases.
Coastal Carolina dropped a Sun Belt Conference matchup against Old Dominion, falling 47-7. With the loss, Coastal fell to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in Sun Belt play.
The Chanticleers (2-2) forced three turnovers, including a fourth-quarter strip sack by defensive end Noah Arinze that was Tray Brown recovered and returned 13 yards for a touchdown by linebacker Tray Brown to seal the win. Arinze notched two of Coastal's four sacks on the night.
On defense, Shane Bruce led the Chants with seven total tackles, while Zeke Campbell recorded six tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack. In the fourth, Ibrahim Diawara forced a fumble on a strip sack that was recovered by Xamarion Gordon.
Running back Ja'Vin Simpkins led the ground game with a team-high 84 rushing yards, including a 24-yard touchdown. Jevon Edwards chipped in with 51 yards on five carries, helping Coastal rack up 190 yards on the ground.
Coastal Carolina leaned on a powerful ground game to overpower ULM, 23–8, in blustery, rain-soaked conditions at Brooks Stadium. The Chanticleers (3–3, 2–1 Sun Belt) rushed for a season-high 277 yards on 51 carries.
Quarterback Tad Hudson protected the ball and accounted for three total touchdowns. He threw for two scores and added a seven-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter, finishing with 130 of Coastal's 294 total yards of offense.
QB Samari Collier led the charge with 86 rushing yards and a 39-yard touchdown run, while Ja'Vin Simpkins added 63 yards.
The Monarchs capitalized on a pair of first-half Chanticleer turnovers and jumped out to a 34-0 lead by halftime. With 12:20 remaining in the fourth quarter, Tad Hudson put Coastal on the board with a three-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Wright.
GAME 6
Coastal Carolina 23, ULM 8
Oct. 11 | Brooks Stadium | Conway, S.C.
Coastal's offense set the tone early behind the steady foot of Kian Afrookhteh, who connected on field goals of 38, 26, and 39 yards to give the Chants a 9–0 lead. Just before halftime, Collier capped a 73-yard drive by hitting Brooks Johnson for an 8-yard touchdown pass with 12 seconds left to extend the lead to 16–0.
Hudson's first touchdown pass was a 19-yard throw to wide receiver Malick Meiga. He connected with Robby Washington for a 17-yard score in the second quarter. Seven different Chanticleers caught passes, with Bryson Graves leading the team with five receptions for 35 yards.
The Chanticleer defense did its part, holding ULM to just one red-zone trip and forcing two interceptions — one each by Avyonne Jones and Xamarion Gordon. Tray Brown paced the unit with six tackles and two tackles for loss as Coastal limited ULM to 315 total yards and only one third-down conversion (1-for-13).
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Coastal Carolina Season in Review GAME 7
GAME 10
Oct. 18 | Kidd Brewer Stadium | Boone, N.C.
Nov. 15 | Allen E. Paulson Stadium | Statesboro, Ga.
Coastal Carolina 45, Appalachian State 37
Georgia Southern 45, Coastal Carolina 40
Despite trailing for most of the game, Coastal Carolina rallied from a 14-point second-half deficit to defeat App State, 45-37.
Coastal Carolina's offensive explosion came up short, falling to Georgia Southern 45–40 in a Sun Belt Conference shootout.
Dominic Knicely's 1-yard touchdown run with 3:19 remaining tied the game at 37. Kian Afrookhteh's extra point gave the Chanticleers their first lead of the night. Jevon Edwards then added insurance with an eight-yard touchdown run with 1:56 left, extending Coastal's lead to eight.
Jameson Tucker led all Coastal receivers with 107 yards on four catches, including a 75-yard touchdown thrown by wideout Bryson Graves on a double pass. The Chants reached into their bag of tricks again in the third quarter when wide receiver Robby Washington took a handoff and tossed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Karmello English.
App State's final drive ended with a strip sack by Zeke Campbell, recovered by Noah Arinze, sealing the win for the Chants.
Quarterbacks Tad Hudson and Samari Collier combined for 280 yards of total offense. Collier added 69 rushing yards, including a five-yard touchdown run.
With the victory, Coastal Carolina improves to 4-3 overall and 3-1 in Sun Belt Conference play.
Coastal's special teams shined in the second quarter. True freshman kicker Philippe Laforge drilled a 51-yard field goal —the longest by a Chanticleer since 2022. Later in the quarter, with Coastal trailing 35–20, Malcolm Gillie returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown, the program's first since 2020.
GAME 8
Coastal Carolina 44, Marshall 27
Xamarion Gordon led the Chanticleer defense with eight total tackles, recovered a fumble, and hauled in an interception. As a team, Coastal recorded nine tackles for loss and forced two turnovers.
Oct. 30 | Brooks Stadium | Conway, S.C. Samari Collier accounted for four total touchdowns and the Coastal Carolina defense had five takeaways as the Chanticleers stormed back from another double-digit deficit to knock off Marshall 44–27 at Brooks Stadium.
With the loss, Coastal falls to 6–4 overall and 5–2 in Sun Belt play.
GAME 11
The win was the Chanticleers' third straight and marked the second consecutive game they've erased a double-digit deficit. Coastal trailed 13–3 early in the second quarter before ripping off 27 straight points to seize control. The Chants improved to 5–3 overall and 4–1 in the Sun Belt East Division, while Marshall fell to 4–4 and 2–2 in league play.
South Carolina 51, Coastal Carolina 7
Nov. 22 | Williams-Brice Stadium | Columbia, S.C. Coastal Carolina fell to South Carolina 51-7 in a non-conference matchup at Williams-Brice Stadium. With the loss, the Chanticleers move to 6–5 overall while remaining 5–2 in Sun Belt play.
Marshall opened the second half with a touchdown pass to go ahead 27–17, but Coastal responded with 27 unanswered points, helped by the defense forcing turnovers on four-straight drives in the third quarter. Collier hit Malcolm Gillie for a 69-yard touchdown, found Bryson Graves from 17 yards out two drives later, and Kian Afrookhteh added field goals of 42 and 24 yards to give Coastal a 37–27 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Quarterback Tad Hudson completed 27 of 36 passes for 174 yards. Ja’Vin Simpkins finished as the leading rusher with 26 yards on eight carrier.
Collier's second rushing touchdown — a 1-yard keeper midway through the fourth — sealed the win as the Chanticleer defense shut the door.
Myles Woods collected nine tackles to lead the Chants with two pass break-ups. Coastal’s only score came in the fourth quarter, when Jameson Tucker blocked a punt and returned it 17 yards into the end zone.
GAME 9
GAME 12
Nov. 8 | Brooks Stadium | Conway, S.C.
Nov. 29 | Brooks Stadium | Conway, S.C.
Coastal Carolina 40, Georgia State 27
James Madison 59, Coastal Carolina
Samari Collier accounted for 246 yards of total offense and four touchdowns as Coastal Carolina powered past Georgia State, 40–27, at Brooks Stadium to earn its fourth straight victory and become bowl eligible.
Coastal Carolina fell in a 59–10 setback at Brooks Stadium. The Chanticleers close the regular season at 6–6 overall, 5–3 in Sun Belt Conference play. After falling behind 17–0 in the opening quarter, Kian Afrookhteh drilled a 34yard field goal to put the Chants on the board, then quarterback Tad Hudson led a confident five-play, 60-yard march capped by a 12-yard touchdown strike to Bryson Graves, trimming the deficit to 20–10 with 2:59 left in the half.
The Chanticleers (6–3, 5–1 Sun Belt) piled up 444 yards of offense — including 324 on the ground — and held the Panthers (1–8, 0–5) scoreless for nearly three full quarters after a 14–14 first-period shootout. Collier immediately struck with an 85-yard touchdown run — the second-longest TD run in school history — just 13 seconds into Coastal's first possession. The Panthers tied it on a 1-yard sneak from quarterback Cameran Brown before Collier found Robby Washington for a 16-yard touchdown and a 14–7 lead.
Coastal's defense delivered its own momentum-turning moment minutes earlier, when Myles Woods jumped a crossing route for an interception near midfield, energizing the home crowd. The stop — one of the Dukes' few mistakes in the first half — helped keep the Chanticleers within reach heading into halftime.
Kicker Kian Afrookhteh drilled three second-quarter field goals (30, 34 and 28 yards) to send the Chants into halftime up 23–14.
James Madison (11–1, 8–0 Sun Belt) ultimately leaned on its depth and tempo after the break. Quarterback Alonza Barnett III accounted for four total touchdowns, including a 39-yard strike to Braeden Wisloski and scoring throws to Lacota Dippre, Isaiah Alston, and Michael Scott. A 73-yard burst from Jobi Malary midway through the fourth quarter helped the Dukes pull away late.
Linebacker Tray Brown's forced fumble and recovery early in the third quarter set up Philippe Laforge's 47-yard field goal, and Collier later found Karmello English on a 3-yard touchdown pass to stretch the margin to 33–14. English added another score on a 31-yard reception midway through the fourth quarter to seal the win.
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Scouting the Chanticleers Quarterbacks
Defensive Line
The Chanticleers featured three quarterbacks this season, starting with redshirt junior MJ Morris. The NC State and Maryland transfer started the first two games completing 33 of 58 passes. Tad Hudson entered in the second half against Charleston Southern and started six games throughout the campaign. This season, Hudson has passed for four touchdowns and rushed for two. Samari Collier started a midseason resurgence for Coastal, starting games against Appalachian State, Marshall, Georgia State, and Georgia Southern, winning three of those four games. Collier flashed a dynamic style, passing for 489 yards and seven touchdowns while rushing for 429 yards and seven more touchdowns. Collier went down with an injury against Georgia Southern and has not played since.
Coastal’s defensive line was highlighted by defensive end Zeke DurhamCampbell, who earned Sun Belt Third Team All-Defense honors following the regular season. Durham Campbell led the team and ranked ninth in the Conference with 5.5 sacks while also forcing two fumbles. Defensive end Noah Arinze put together a solid season, highlighted by his performance against South Alabama, where he collected two sacks and one forced fumble. Arinze was named the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week following the game. Nose tackle Sawyer Goram-Welch plugged up the middle gaps, collecting 24 total tackles with three tackles for loss and a pair of sacks.
Linebackers
While dealing with numerous injuries, Coastal saw multiple linebackers step up and make significant impacts in 2025. Leading the group in his super senior season was Dontae Lunan, who collected 52 total tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss. Lunan forced a fumble and intercepted a pass against Marshall in the third quarter, sparking the comeback victory. In his fourth season in Conway, Tray Brown posted the best season of his career, racking up 46 total tackles and led the team with nine tackles for loss. Brown recovered a fumble and returned it 13 yards for a touchdown against South Alabama, sealing the victory.
Defensive Backs
Safety Xamarion Gordon put together a career season and highlighted Coastal’s defensive back unit, earning Second Team All-Sun Belt honors. Gordon led the conference with three fumbles recovered while ranking in the top-10 with three interceptions. The second-year Chant also led the team with 71 total tackles and 42 solo tackles. Senior cornerback Ja’Marion Wayne locked down receivers in the secondary, forcing two fumbles and collecting an interception with 58 total tackles on the year. Sophomore Myles Woods shared the teamlead with three interceptions and broke up five passes. Prior to the season, redshirt senior Dre Pinckney was named a captain for the team and racked up 34 total tackles and recovered a fumble against Marshall.
Tad Hudson
Running Backs
Coastal’s running back room featured many skilled backs, with the ball being shared between five different players. After getting injured early in the season last year, junior Ja’Vin Simpkins led the group in rushing yards with 568 on 115 carries while scoring two touchdowns. The freshman duo of Dominic Knicely and Jevon Edwards flashed incredible potential, with Knicely collecting 380 total rushing yards with three touchdowns and Edwards rushing for 332 and one score. Super senior Jalen John brought experience from Arizona and UMass, and provided depth for the Chanticleers with 167 total rushing yards. Breyahn Townsend saw limited carries, rushing for 28 yards on 11 attempts.
Wide Receivers
First-year offensive coordinator Drew Hollingshead’s “air-raid” scheme provided many opportunities for Coastal’s wide receivers with 17 different players catching a pass and six catching 15 or more. Eight different players collected a touchdown reception, with West Georgia-transfer Karmello English catching three, including two against Georgia State. Second-year Chanticleer Cameron Wright led the crew with 274 receiving yards on 24 catches, hauling in one touchdown against Old Dominion. In his third year with the Chants, junior Bryson Graves caught a teamleading 29 passes for 231 yards, catching touchdown passes against Marshall and James Madison. Graves also showed off his versatility, passing the ball four times for 144 yards and a touchdown. Miami-transfer Robby Washington caught two touchdowns and collected 231 yards on 24 catches.
Xamarion Gordon
Special Teams
Offensive Line
The Coastal special teams unit displayed extreme consistency this season, starting with the kickers. The Chants were one of six Sun Belt teams to make every PAT this season, and ranked third in the conference for field goals, making 17 on 21 attempts. Kian Afrookhteh knocked in 15 field goals with a long of 44 against South Alabama and earned an All-Sun Belt honorable mention nod. Philippe Laforge entered the game in long-yardage situations, hitting a 47-yard field goal against Georgia State and was good from 51 against Georgia Southern. Punter Emile Sebafundi averaged 42.63 yards per punt, with six going for over 50 yards. Kick returner Malcolm Gillie was named All-Sun Belt honorable mention with 17 returns for 443 yards, including a 96-yard touchdown return against Georgia Southern.
The Chanticleer offensive line saw the most returning players of any position group from last season but went through multiple changes throughout the season due to injuries. Leading the charge in the trenches were All-Sun Belt honorable mentions Joe Hanson and Thomas Johnson. Hanson spent time at tackle, while Johnson split time between the guard and center positions. Fourth-year Chant Nick Del Grande entered the season on the First-Team Preseason All-Sun Belt team and played 10 games at tackle. After missing all of 2024, center Zac Elam was named a captain for the 2025 season and played six games for the Chanticleers. Coastal’s offensive line allowed just 22 sacks, ranking in the top-half of the Sun Belt in that category.
34
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Coastal Carolina Alphabetical Roster No. Name
Pos.
YR.
HT.
WT.
Hometown
No. Name 58
Thomas Johnson
OL
R-Sr.
6-2
279
195
Laguna Niguel, Calif.
9
Avyonne Jones
S
R-Jr.
5-11
202
Southlake, Texas
232
Warrenton, Va.
70
Daniel Jones
OL
R-Fr.
6-6
282
Valdosta, Ga.
186
Oxnard, Calif.
23
Dominic Knicely
RB
Fr.
5-9
188
Vienna, Va.
270
St. Louis, Mo.
41
Philippe Laforge
PK
Fr.
6-1
204
Chattanooga, Tenn.
300
Augusta, Ga.
30
Dontae Lunan
LB
SSR
6-0
215
Miami Gardens, Fla.
223
Montgomery, Ala.
97
Jordan Mack
NT
Fr.
6-6
260
Waldorf, Md.
212
Summerville, S.C.
66
Kain McDonald
OL
Fr.
6-2
307
Tullahoma, Tenn.
238
Hartwell, Ga.
19
Se’Von McDowell
LB
So.
6-1
218
Dinwiddie, Va.
191
San Marcos, Calif.
23
Xavier McIntyre
S
So.
5-10
194
Cornelius, N.C.
243
Margate, Fla.
63
Brayson McIver
OL
R-Fr.
6-0
268
Charlotte, N.C.
232
Carrollton, Ga.
55
Gavin McLaughlin
OL
So.
6-4
287
Concord, N.C.
220
Clover, S.C.
3
Malick Meiga
WR
SSR
6-4
201
Montreal, Canada
178
Charlotte, N.C.
43
Nate Merchant
LS
R-Jr.
6-1
215
Easley, S.C.
243
Atlanta, Ga.
90
Tyler Moore
NT
So.
6-0
297
Locust Grove, Ga.
240
Bluffton, S.C.
8
Myles Mooyoung
CB
R-Sr.
5-11
195
Chicago, Ill.
168
Coppell, Texas
7
MJ Morris
QB
R-Jr.
6-1
210
Carrollton, Ga.
285
Hopewell Jct., N.Y.
20
Luke Murphy
LB
SSR
6-3
235
Massilon, Ohio
231
DeSoto, Texas
98
Travis Nesbitt
DE
R-Sr.
6-3
275
Columbia, S.C.
252
Post, Texas
92
Aamarii Notice
NT
R-Sr.
6-4
290
Toronto, Ont.
195
Clinton, S.C.
28
Joe Ober
RB
Fr.
6-0
217
Myrtle Beach, S.C.
170
West Columbia, S.C.
56
Obinna Onwuka
DE
R-Fr.
6-4
247
Upper Marlboro, Md.
323
Birmingham, Ala.
6
D’Mariun Perteet
RB
Jr.
5-10
210
Courtland, Miss.
296
Lancaster, Pa.
12
Dre Pinckney
S
R-Sr.
6-0
194
Boiling Springs, S.C.
245
Philadelphia, Pa.
44
Brown Reaves
TE
Fr.
6-4
229
Myrtle Beach, S.C.
315
Fort Worth, Texas
72
Dominic Rijos
OL
Fr.
6-2
327
Springfield, Mass.
192
Aiken, S.C.
22
Jacob Robinson
S
Sr.
6-2
204
Warrenton, Va.
273
Clearwater, Fla.
25
Brandon Rose
S
Fr.
5-11
183
Charlotte, N.C.
184
Phenix City, Ala.
58
Sam Ross
DE
R-So.
6-3
249
Philadelphia, Pa.
325
Columbia, S.C.
35
Kaden Sapp
LB
Fr.
6-2
203
Lancaster, S.C.
225
Avon Lake, Ohio
82
Nathan Schuessler
WR
R-So.
5-11
178
Myrtle Beach, S.C.
171
Jacksonville, N.C.
29
Emile Sebafundi
P
R-Sr.
6-0
205
Melbourne, Australia
202
Milwaukee, Wis.
5
Ja’Vin Simpkins
RB
Jr.
5-8
190
Miami, Fla.
201
Copperas Cove, Texas
61
Julius Tate
OL
R-Fr.
6-3
306
Greenville, S.C.
310
Longview, Texas
93
Eric Taylor
NT
SSR
6-4
323
Trussville, Ala.
203
Houston, Texas
44
Malaki Te’o
LB
R-Jr.
6-0
231
O’ahu, Hawai’i
171
Florence, S.C.
48
Haden Tessier
P
R-Jr.
5-10
189
Plano, Texas
209
Wichita, Kan.
5
Dante Thomas
S
SSR
6-0
187
Hammond, La.
228
Lakewood, Ohio
49
Shaikh Thompson
DE
R-Fr.
6-5
249
Hilton Head Isl., S.C.
291
Niceville, Fla.
25
Breyahn Townsend
RB
R-So.
5-10
186
Midlothian, Ill.
228
Springfield, Ill.
8
Jameson Tucker
WR
R-Sr.
6-1
185
Mauldin, S.C.
194
Dunnellon, Fla.
16
Jeffrey Ugochukwu
S
Sr.
6-1
205
Richmond, Texas
283
Cincinnati, Ohio
85
Ben Verges
TE
Fr.
6-4
240
Franklin, Wis.
180
Ashburn, Va.
73
Anthony Walton
OL
R-Sr.
6-4
306
Lamar, S.C.
187
Channelview, Texas
1
Robby Washington
WR
R-So.
5-11
178
Miami, Fla.
226
Huntersville, N.C.
2
Ja’Marion Wayne
CB
Sr.
6-2
208
St. Louis, Mo.
215
Hernando, Miss.
4
Lionell Whitaker
CB
Sr.
5-11
186
Miami, Fla.
223
Irmo, S.C.
81
Dwayne White
WR
Fr.
6-3
202
Prescott, Ark.
179
Moody, Ala.
84
Xakery Wiedner
WR
So.
5-10
177
Pace, Fla.
306
Clemmons, N.C.
54
La’Damion Williams
OL
Jr.
6-2
309
Centreville, Miss.
190
Reedsville, Pa.
21
Kareem Williams
S
Fr.
6-3
171
Asheville, N.C.
221
Portland, Ore.
14
Myles Woods
S
So.
5-10
171
Grayson, Ga.
236
Fort Mill, S.C.
17
Cameron Wright
WR
R-Sr.
6-4
207
Batesville, Miss.
308
Courtland, Va.
10
Fredd Adams
CB
Jr.
5-9
160
91
Kian Afrookhteh
PK
R-Jr.
5-8
39
Geajorm Akpaloo
LB
So.
6-2
15
Eli Aragon
WR
Jr.
6-0
42
Noah Arinze
DE
Sr.
6-6
77
Johnathan Ashley
OL
Jr.
6-4
46
Javen Augustus
DE
Jr.
6-4
37
Cameron Avery
LB
R-So.
6-0
18
Cane Berrong
TE
R-Sr.
6-4
9
Emmett Brown
QB
R-Jr.
6-0
55
Tray Brown
LB
R-Jr.
6-1
1
Shane Bruce
LB
SSR
6-1
40
Jayden Bryant
DE
So.
6-4
27
Ja’Varis Bufford
CB
R-Jr.
5-10
18
Zeke Campbell
DE
R-Jr.
6-5
46
Gavin Carrick
LS
Fr.
5-11
3
Zach Cody
CB
So.
6-0
75
Michael Cogoni
OL
So.
6-3
10
Samari Collier
QB
R-Sr.
6-2
33
Zach Courtney
TE
R-Jr.
6-6
45
Kadon Crawford
LB
R-Fr.
6-2
28
Rilan Cunningham
S
Fr.
5-10
65
Josh Daniels
OL
R-So.
6-4
62
Nick Del Grande
OL
R-Jr.
6-4
52
Ibrahim Diawara
DE
R-Jr.
6-3
51
Heston Edwards
OL
R-Sr.
6-5
20
Jevon Edwards
RB
Fr.
5-10
57
Zac Elam
OL
SSR
6-1
0
Karmello English
WR
Jr.
6-0
56
Tray Franklin
OL
R-Jr.
6-5
34
Wyatt Gedeon
LB
Jr.
6-1
13
Noah Gibson
CB
R-Jr.
6-2
2
Malcolm Gillie
WR
SSR
6-1
80
Trishstin Glass
WR
Fr.
6-5
99
Sawyer Goram-Welch NT
SSR
6-5
6
Xamarion Gordon
S
R-Sr.
6-1
4
Bryson Graves
WR
Jr.
5-11
31
Walt Gray
LB
Jr.
6-2
32
Nate Gregory
LB
Fr.
6-0
68
Joseph Hanson
OL
Jr.
6-5
87
Paul Hartman
TE
R-Fr.
6-5
17
Chris Henry
S
R-Fr.
6-0
15
Darrion Henry-Young DE
SSR
6-4
14
Colton Hinton
WR
Jr.
5-11
7
Larell Howling
CB
Jr.
5-11
12
Tad Hudson
QB
R-So.
6-3
86
Josh Humes
TE
Jr.
6-2
19
Jon Hunt
QB
R-Fr.
6-0
26
Chase Jackson
S
So.
6-2
74
Desmond Jackson
OL
R-Fr.
6-4
43
Jayden Jackson
S
R-Sr.
6-0
21
Jalen John
RB
SSR
5-11
11
Brooks Johnson
TE
R-Jr.
6-5
96
Javen Johnson
NT
R-Jr.
6-2
Tupelo, Miss.
36
Pos.
YR.
HT.
WT.
Hometown
Aynor, S.C.
Unofficial Coastal Carolina Depth Chart OFFENSE
LT -or-
55 70
Gavin McLaughlin Daniel Jones
6-4 6-6
301 282
So. R-Fr.
LG
58 51
Thomas Johnson Heston Edwards
6-2 6-5
279 315
C
57 66
Zac Elam Kain McDonald
6-1 6-2
RG -or-
73 61
Anthony Walton Julius Tate
RT
68 56
TE -or-or-or-
DEFENSE DE -or-
18 15
Zeke Campbell Darrion Henry-Young
6-5 6-4
243 283
R-Jr. SSR
R-Sr. R-Sr.
DT -or-
92 90
Aamarii Notice Tyler Moore
6-4 6-0
290 297
R-Sr. So.
282 307
SSR Fr.
DT -or-
99 97
Sawyer Goram-Welch Jordan Mack
6-5 6-6
310 260
SSR Fr.
6-4 6-3
312 306
R-Sr. R-Fr.
DE -or-
42 52
Noah Arinze Ibrahim Diawara
6-6 6-3
270 260
Sr. R-Jr.
Joseph Hanson Tray Franklin
6-5 6-5
291 315
Jr. R-Jr.
SAM -or-
30 20
Dontae Lunan Luke Murphy
6-0 6-3
215 235
SSR SSR
33 11 86 44
Zach Courtney Brooks Johnson Josh Humes Brown Reaves
6-6 6-5 6-2 6-4
253 235 215 229
R-Jr. R-Jr. Jr. Fr.
MIKE -or-
55 39
Tray Brown Geajorm Akpaloo
6-1 6-3
243 220
R-Jr. So.
WR
0 80
Karmello English Trishstin Glass
6-0 6-5
184 2-5
Jr. Fr.
WILL -or-
19 34
Se’Von McDowell Wyatt Gedeon
6-1 6-1
218 225
So. Jr.
WR -or-
4 3
Bryson Graves Malick Meiga
5-11 171 6-4 201
Jr. SSR
ROV -or-
17 12
Chris Henry Dre Pinckney
6-0 6-0
192 194
Fr. R-Sr.
D
WR -or-
2 8
Malcolm Gillie Jameson Tucker
6-1 6-1
SSR R-Sr.
9 22
Avyonne Jones Jacob Robinson
5-11 202 6-2 204
R-Jr. Sr.
FS
WR
1 14
Robby Washington Colton Hinton
5-11 178 R-So. 5-11 180 Jr.
14 5
Myles Woods Dante Thomas
5-10 180 6-0 187
So. SSR
QB
Tad Hudson MJ Morris Samari Collier
6-3 6-1 6-2
2 10
Ja’Marion Wayne Fredd Adams
6-2 5-9
208 165
Sr. Jr.
-or-
12 7 10
CB -orCB -or-
4 8
Lionell Whitaker Myles Mooyoung
5-11 186 5-11 195
Sr. R-Sr.
RB -or-or-
5 23 20
Ja’Vin Simpkins Dominic Knicely Jevon Edwards
5-8 190 5-9 188 5-10 197
202 185
226 R-So. 210 R-Jr. 232 R-Sr.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Jr. Fr. Fr.
Depth chart updated December 22, 2025
Daniel Jones
38
PK -or-
91 41
Kian Afrookhteh Philippe Laforge
5-8 6-1
195 204
R-Jr. Fr.
P -or-
29 91
Emile Sebafundi Kian Afrookhteh
6-0 5-8
205 195
R-Sr. R-Jr.
LS -or-
43 46
Nate Merchant Gavin Carrick
6-1 215 5-11 240
R-Jr. Fr.
KO -or-
41 91
Philippe Laforge Kian Afrookhteh
6-1 5-8
204 195
Fr. R-Jr.
H -or-
29 12
Emile Sebafundi Tad Hudson
6-0 6-3
205 R-Sr. 226 R-So.
PR -or-
4 1
Bryson Graves Robby Washington
5-11 171 Jr. 5-11 178 R-So.
KR -or-or-or-
2 23 5 1
Malcolm Gillie Dominic Knicely Ja’Vin Simpkins Robby Washington
6-1 5-9 5-8 5-11
202 SSR 188 Fr. 190 Jr. 178 R-So.
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Coastal Carolina Season Stats & Leaders RUSHING
GP
Att
Gain
Loss Net
Avg
TD
Long
Avg/G
PUNT RETURNS
No.
Yards
Avg
TD
Long
Ja'Vin Simpkins Samari Collier Dominic Knicely Jevon Edwards Jalen John Total Opponents
12 8 12 12 10 12 12
115 71 65 56 53 448 483
591 458 395 343 176 2255 2768
23 29 15 11 9 282 245
4.9 6.0 5.8 5.9 3.2 4.4 5.2
2 7 3 1 0 15 22
46 85 59 43 11 85 73
47.3 53.6 31.7 27.7 16.7 164.4 210.3
Bryson Graves Jameson Tucker Total Opponents
13 1 14 26
105 30 135 296
8.1 30.0 9.6 11.4
0 1 1 1
29 17 29 77
INTERCEPTIONS
No.
Yards
Avg
TD
Long
PASSING
GP
Yards
TD
Long
Avg/G
95.8 114-205-5 55.6 942 125.9 38-78-2 48.7 489 93.1 35-60-4 58.3 304 387.9 4-5-0 80.0 144 530.8 1-1-0 100.0 12 107.5 193-350-11 55.1 1893 140.3 249-395-11 63.0 2952
4 7 1 1 1 14 24
44 69 34 75 12 75 80
94.2 61.1 76.0 12.0 1.0 157.8 246.0
Xamarion Gordon Myles Woods Shane Bruce Dontae Lunan Ja'Marion Wayne Avyonne Jones Total Opponents
3 3 2 1 1 1 11 11
12 36 0 11 11 0 70 151
4.0 12.0 0.0 11.0 11.0 0.0 6.4 13.7
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
12 18 0 11 11 0 18 51
KICK RETURNS
No.
Yards
Avg
TD
Long
Malcolm Gillie Dominic Knicely Ja'Marion Wayne Jevon Edwards Total Opponents
17 3 1 1 22 19
443 32 26 18 519 464
26.1 10.7 26.0 18.0 23.6 24.4
1 0 0 0 1 1
96 16 26 18 96 100
FUMBLEs Recovered
No.
Yards
Avg
TD
Long
Tray Brown Xamarion Gordon Dre Pinckney Ja'Varis Bufford Noah Arinze Total Opponents
2 3 1 1 1 8 9
20 0 1 0 0 21 0
10.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 2.6 0.0
1 0 0 0 0 1 0
13 0 1 0 0 13 0
PUNTING
No.
Yards
Avg
Long
TB
FC
I20
50+
Blkd
Emile Sebafundi 64 Total 65 Opponents 46
2727 2727 1732
42.6 42.0 37.7
65 65 82
4 4 3
16 16 15
14 14 14
6 6 6
0 1 1
RATING Cmp-Att-Int
Tad Hudson 10 Samari Collier 8 MJ Morris 4 Bryson Graves 12 Robby Washington 12 Total 12 Opponents 12
568 429 380 332 167 1973 2523
Pct
RECEIVING
GP
No.
Yards
Avg
TD
Long
Avg/G
Cameron Wright Bryson Graves Robby Washington Jameson Tucker Karmello English Malick Meiga Malcolm Gillie Eli Aragon Total Opponents
12 12 12 12 12 10 12 10 12 12
24 29 24 10 19 17 7 10 193 249
274 231 231 197 178 168 158 109 1893 2952
11.4 8.0 9.6 19.7 9.4 9.9 22.6 10.9 9.8 11.9
1 2 2 2 3 1 2 0 14 24
44 24 39 75 42 21 69 40 75 80
22.8 19.3 19.3 16.4 14.8 16.8 13.2 10.9 157.8 246.0
FIELD GOALS
Made-Att Pct 1-19
20-29 30-39 40-49 50+
Lng
Blkd
Kian Afrookhteh Philippe Laforge
15-17 2-4
5-5 0-0
44 51
1 0
SCORING TD Kian Afrookhteh Samari Collier Jameson Tucker Karmello English Malcolm Gillie Dominic Knicely Total Opponents
7 3 3 3 3 32 50
88.2 0-0 50.0 0-0
6-7 0-0
4-5 1-2
0-0 1-2
FGs
|-------------PATs -------------| Kick Rush Rcv Pass DXP
Saf
Pts
15 17 19
30-30 31-31 46-46
-
75 42 18 18 18 18 274 407
-
2
2
-
TOTAL OFFENSE
GP
Plays
Rush
Pass
Total
Avg/G
Tad Hudson Samari Collier Ja'Vin Simpkins Dominic Knicely MJ Morris Total Opponents
10 8 12 12 4 12 12
247 149 115 65 71 798 878
40 429 568 380 31 1973 2523
942 489 0 0 304 1893 2952
982 918 568 380 355 3866 5475
98.2 114.8 47.3 31.7 83.8 322.2 456.3
KICKOFFS
No.
Yards
Avg
TB
OB
Retn
Net
YdLn
Philippe Laforge Total Opponents
59 59 77
3701 3701 4863
62.7 62.7 63.2
37 37 48
3 3 3
19 22
37.9 38.8
27 26
Ja'Vin Simpkins DEFENSIVE LEADERS
GP
Solo
Xamarion Gordon Ja'Marion Wayne Dontae Lunan Avyonne Jones Tray Brown Totals Opponents
12 11 12 12 12 12 12
42 40 37 36 32 531 458
Tackles Ast Total TFL-Yds 29 18 15 10 14 272 286
71 58 52 46 46 803 744
2.5-8 1.5-3 6.5-20 0-0 9.0-40 67-194 75-270
Sacks No-Yds
Pass Defense Int-Yds BU
Fumbles Qbh Rcv-Yds FF
Blkd Kick
Saf
0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2.5-13 18-77 23-159
3-12 1-11 1-11 1-0 0-0 11-70 11-151
0 0 1 1 1 22 28
0 1 0 0 0 2 2
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
40
5 6 1 1 1 35 43
3-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-20 8-21 9-0
0 2 1 0 0 13 15
Meet the Chanticleers
10
46
9
FREDD ADAMS
KIAN AFROOKHTEH
91
ELI ARAGON
NOAH ARINZE
JOHNATHAN ASHLEY
JAVEN AUGUSTUS
EMMETT BROWN
CORNERBACK
PLACEKICKER
WIDE RECEIVER
DEFENSIVE END
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
DEFENSIVE END
QUARTERBACK
18
46
3
10
33
55
15
27
42
77
TRAY BROWN
JA'VARIS BUFFORD
ZEKE CAMPBELL
GAVIN CARRICK
ZACH CODY
SAMARI COLLIER
ZACH COURTNEY
LINEBACKER
CORNERBACK
DEFENSIVE END
LONG SNAPPER
CORNERBACK
QUARTERBACK
TIGHT END
65
62
45
28
52
51
20
KADON CRAWFORD
RILAN CUNNINGHAM
JOSH DANIELS
NICK DEL GRANDE
IBRAHIM DIAWARA
HESTON EDWARDS
JEVON EDWARDS
LINEBACKER
SAFETY
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
DEFENSIVE END
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
RUNNING BACK
57
56
34
13
2
80
ZAC ELAM
KARMELLO ENGLISH
0
TRAY FRANKLIN
WYATT GEDEON
NOAH GIBSON
MALCOLM GILLIE
TRISHSTIN GLASS
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
WIDE RECEIVER
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
LINEBACKER
CORNERBACK
WIDE RECEIVER
WIDE RECEIVER
6
4
31
99 SAWYER GORAM-WELCH
XAMARION GORDON
BRYSON GRAVES
WALT GRAY
NOSE TACKLE
SAFETY
WIDE RECEIVER
LINEBACKER
32 Samari Collier
68
87
17
NATE GREGORY
JOSEPH HANSON
PAUL HARTMAN
CHRIS HENRY
LINEBACKER
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
TIGHT END
SAFETY
42
Meet the Chanticleers
12
86
DARRION HENRY-YOUNG
15
COLTON HINTON
14
LARELL HOWLING
7
TAD HUDSON
JOSH HUMES
JON HUNT
CHASE JACKSON
DEFENSIVE END
WIDE RECEIVER
CORNERBACK
QUARTERBACK
TIGHT END
QUARTERBACK
SAFETY
74
43
21
11
96
19
26
58
9
DESMOND JACKSON
JAYDEN JACKSON
JALEN JOHN
BROOKS JOHNSON
JAVEN JOHNSON
THOMAS JOHNSON
AVYONNE JONES
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
SAFETY
RUNNING BACK
TIGHT END
NOSE TACKLE
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
SAFETY
70
23
41
DANIEL JONES
DOMINIC KNICELY
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
RUNNING BACK
30
97
PHILIPPE LAFORGE
DONTAE LUNAN
JORDAN MACK
KAIN McDONALD
SE'VON McDOWELL
PLACEKICKER
LINEBACKER
NOSE TACKLE
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
CORNERBACK
23
63
XAVIER McINTYRE
BRAYSON McIVER
GAVIN McLAUGHLIN
55
MALICK MEIGA
SAFETY
CORNERBACK
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
WIDE RECEIVER
66
3
43
90
8
7
NATE MERCHANT
TYLER MOORE
MYLES MOOYOUNG
MJ MORRIS
LONG SNAPPER
NOSE TACKLE
CORNERBACK
QUARTERBACK
20
98
92
LUKE MURPHY
TRAVIS NESBITT
AAMARII NOTICE
LINEBACKER
DEFENSIVE END
NOSE TACKLE
Dontae Lunan
43
19
Meet the Chanticleers
28
12
44
72
22
JOE OBER
OBINNA ONWUKA
56
D'MAURIN PERTEET
6
DRE PINCKNEY
BROWN REAVES
DOMINIC RIJOS
JACOB ROBINSON
RUNNING BACK
DEFENSIVE END
RUNNING BACK
SAFETY
TIGHT END
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
SAFETY
25
58
35
82
29
5
61
BRANDON ROSE
SAM ROSS
KADEN SAPP
NATHAN SCHUESSLER
EMILE SEBAFUNDI
JA'VIN SIMPKINS
JULIUS TATE
SAFETY
DEFENSIVE END
LINEBACKER
WIDE RECEIVER
PUNTER
RUNNING BACK
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
93
44
48
5
49
25
8
ERIC TAYLOR
MALAKI TE'O
HADEN TESSIER
DANTE THOMAS
SHAIKH THOMPSON
BREYAHN TOWNSEND
JAMESON TUCKER
NOSE TACKLE
LINEBACKER
PUNTER
SAFETY
DEFENSIVE END
RUNNING BACK
WIDE RECEIVER
16
85
73
1
2
4
81
JEFFREY UGOCHUKWU
BEN VERGES
ANTHONY WALTON
ROBBY WASHINGTON
JA'MARION WAYNE
LIONELL WHITAKER
DWAYNE WHITE
SAFETY
TIGHT END
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
WIDE RECEIVER
CORNERBACK
CORNERBACK
WIDE RECEIVER
84
54
XAKERY WIEDNER
LA'DAMION WILLIAMS
KAREEM WILLIAMS
WIDE RECEIVER
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
SAFETY
14 Ja'Marion Wayne
44
21
17
MYLES WOODS
CAMERON WRIGHT
SAFETY
WIDE RECEIVER
Coastal Carolina Interim Head Coach JEREMIAH JOHNSON 1st Year at Coastal Carolina 1st Game as Coastal Carolina Interim Head Coach Alma Mater: Kansas (2000) Hometown: Lawrence, Kansas Record as College HC: 0-0
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Wyoming
Graduate Assistant (2002)
Loras
Wide Receivers/Secondary (2003-06)
Northern Iowa
Video Coordinator (2007-08) Defensive Backs/Linebackers (2009-12) Defensive Coordinator/DBs (2013-21)
Kent State
Defensive Coordinator (2022)
Northern Iowa
Defensive Coordinator (2023)
Louisiana Tech
Defensive Coordinator (2024)
Coastal Carolina
Defensive Coordinator/Interim HC (2025)
Veteran defensive coordinator Jeremiah Johnson joined the Coastal Carolina staff in January 2025. He was named interim head coach on Nov. 30, 2025. He comes to Conway after spending the past year as the defensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech. An innovative and experienced defensive mind, Johnson spent the 2023 season as defensive coordinator at Northern Iowa following a one-year stint at Kent State, where he served in the same capacity in 2022. Before Kent State, Johnson spent 15 seasons at Northern Iowa, including nine as defensive coordinator. Louisiana Tech’s 2024 defense finished the season as the No. 12 ranked total defense in the nation, allowing just 308.4 yards per game. The ranking is a 98-place improvement over where they finished in 2023 (110). Johnson’s group also showed a 91-place improvement in scoring defense, going from 117 to No. 26 and 88-place bump in rushing defense, going from 132 to No. 44. During his 16 seasons at UNI, Johnson coached 32 First Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) defenders, five MVFC Defensive Players of the Year, one Buck Buchanan Award winner, 15 AP FCS All-Americans, and seven AFCA All-Americans. In 11 seasons as a defensive coordinator, Johnson’s defenses ranked in the top 10 of FCS statistical categories 29 times, including turnovers gained six times (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021), defensive touchdowns four times (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019), and scoring defense three times (2013, 2019, Spring 2021).
46
Coastal Carolina Coaching Staff COASTAL CAROLINA ASSISTANT COACHES & STAFF
UNI won four conference championships during Johnson’s tenure in Cedar Falls (2007-2021, 2023). Additionally, the Panthers made 10 FCS Playoff appearances, while advancing past the first round in eight of 10 seasons. Before being promoted to coordinator, he served as the defensive backs coach during the 2012 season. From 2007-2011, he served various roles in Cedar Falls, including video coordinator and DBs coach.
DREW HOLLINGSHEAD
KEELON BROOKINS
TREY CARTER
CJ COX
Offensive Coordinator
Secondary
TYRON CARRIER Wide Receivers
CORTEZ CARTER Linebackers
The native of Lawrence, Kansas, spent the 20032005 seasons at Loras College on the Duhawk coaching staff, where he served under current Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman in 2005 Prior to his work at Loras, Johnson was a graduate assistant/video coordinator at Wyoming in 2002.
Interim Offensive Line
Safeties
ANDRE CRENSHAW GRAYSON McCALL Running Backs
Interim Tight Ends
A 2000 graduate of the University of Kansas with a degree in sports science, Johnson completed his master's degree in athletic administration at Loras in 2005. Johnson is married to his wife Nicki and has a son, Lane, and a daughter, Drew.
JOSH MILLER
Special Teams Coordinator/OLBs
47
JAMES ROBERSON Interim Defensive Line
SCOTT ALIGO
General Manager
Coastal Carolina University JAMES J. WINEBRAKE PRESIDENT Coastal Carolina University
Coastal Carolina University (CCU), located in Conway, South Carolina, is a dynamic public higher education institution known for its growth, innovation, and strong commitment to student success. Founded in 1954, CCU has evolved from a small regional college into a comprehensive university that serves more than 10,000 students from across the country and around the world. Its 330-acre main campus sits just minutes from Myrtle Beach, offering students a blend of academic opportunity and coastal community life. CCU offers more than 100 undergraduate majors, along with a growing number of graduate programs and doctoral degrees. Academic offerings span the arts, sciences, business, education, and humanities, with many programs emphasizing hands-on learning, undergraduate research, and real-world experience. Signature programs include marine science, coastal and marine systems science, intelligence and security studies, business administration, and sport management. The University’s location near the Atlantic Ocean supports extensive field research and partnerships, particularly in environmental science, conservation, and sustainability. The campus is home to several unique academic and research centers, including the renowned Chanticleer Intelligence Brief, the Burroughs & Chapin Center for Marine and Wetland Studies, and the HTC Honors College. CCU’s facilities continue to expand, featuring cutting-edge labs, modern residence halls, athletic complexes, and collaborative learning spaces designed to foster community and creativity. Student life at Coastal Carolina is vibrant and active, offering more than 180 clubs and organizations, including Greek life, service groups, academic societies, and intramural sports. The Chanticleers compete in the Sun Belt Conference at the NCAA Division I level, with nationally recognized teams—particularly in football, baseball, and softball—that have brought national visibility to the University. Brooks Stadium and Springs Brooks Stadium serve as hubs for student pride and community engagement. CCU places strong emphasis on service, leadership, and global engagement. Through study-abroad opportunities, internships, and community outreach, students are encouraged to explore their interests while contributing to the broader region. With its coastal setting, supportive environment, and forward-looking vision, Coastal Carolina University continues to position itself as a leader in academic excellence and student-centered education. James J. Winebrake became the fourth president of Coastal Carolina University on July 7, 2025. He brings more than three decades of experience in higher education, leadership, and public policy to the role. Winebrake previously served as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where he helped guide academic growth, expand research activity, and launch new academic programs. Before his time at UNCW, he held several leadership positions at the Rochester Institute of Technology, including dean of the College of Liberal Arts and chair of the Department of Public Policy. He also spent part of his career as a faculty member at James Madison University and worked as a scientific and policy specialist for the U.S. Department of Energy. An accomplished scholar, Winebrake is widely recognized for his research in environmental and transportation policy. He has authored numerous publications in these areas and has served on advisory committees for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, as well as on various state-level energy and policy boards. Winebrake holds a B.S. in physics from Lafayette College, an M.S. in technology and policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Ph.D. in energy management and policy from the University of Pennsylvania. As president of Coastal Carolina University, he is focused on strengthening academic excellence, supporting student success, and guiding the institution’s continued growth and impact.
48
Coastal Carolina Athletics CHANCE MILLER, J.D. VICE PRESIDENT FOR INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS Coastal Carolina University Coastal Carolina Athletics, home of the Chanticleers, represents one of the most dynamic and rapidly rising NCAA Division I athletic programs in the country. Competing in the Sun Belt Conference, the Chanticleers field 19 varsity teams across men’s and women’s sports and embody the University’s strong commitment to excellence, community engagement, and student-athlete development. The Chanticleer mascot — a proud, feisty rooster inspired by Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales — gives Coastal Carolina one of the most distinctive identities in college athletics. Chauncey the Chanticleer has become a symbol of passion, pride, and competitive spirit both on campus and across the region. Coastal Carolina sponsors a wide range of sports, including baseball, football, basketball, softball, soccer, golf, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and beach volleyball. The University has invested significantly in facilities that support high-level performance, highlighted by Brooks Stadium for football and the state-of-the-art Springs Brooks Stadium for baseball, both of which offer top-tier environments for student-athletes and fans. The baseball program stands as one of CCU’s most celebrated success stories. In 2016, the Chanticleers captured national attention by winning the College World Series — the first NCAA national championship in school history. The milestone elevated the University’s profile and remains a defining moment in CCU Athletics. Football has also seen a surge in national prominence. Since transitioning to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), Coastal Carolina has delivered multiple winning seasons, earned national rankings, and appeared in several bowl games. The program has developed a reputation for its energetic style of play and strong fan support at Brooks Stadium. Beyond competitive success, Coastal Carolina places significant emphasis on academic achievement and character development. Student-athletes across all sports consistently earn conference and national academic honors, reflecting the University’s mission to develop champions both on and off the field. Today, Coastal Carolina Athletics continues to grow in stature and ambition. With a dedicated fan base, expanding facilities, and programs that consistently compete at high levels, the Chanticleers embody the spirit, pride, and momentum of a university on the rise. Chance Miller, J.D., was named Coastal Carolina University’s vice president for intercollegiate athletics and University recreation on June 13, 2024, and began his role on July 16. He serves on the President’s Cabinet and Executive Council, leading CCU’s NCAA Division I athletics program of 19 sports, nearly 200 staff, and more than 550 student-athletes, along with University Recreation, Sports Turf and Golf Course Operations, and Teal Nation retail. In his first year, Miller oversaw improvements to the game-day fan experience, launched the Coastal Wave strategic plan, implemented the Alyse Svihla Student-Athlete Development and Engagement Program, and introduced the Chanticleer Mobile App. CCU set single-game attendance records in football and baseball and saw growth in licensing, revenue, and fan engagement. Coastal also played in the 2024 Myrtle Beach Bowl, while beach volleyball and baseball won 2025 Sun Belt regular-season titles, and baseball, men’s golf, and softball earned Sun Belt Tournament Championships. Before CCU, Miller served as senior deputy athletics director at the University of South Carolina, overseeing operations and compliance. He contributed to a $35 million capital campaign, raised $3 million for NIL initiatives, and developed USC’s NIL education programs. Earlier, he worked on the NCAA enforcement staff, practiced law in New York City, and worked in the NFL legal department. A native of Johnson City, Tenn., he earned degrees from the University of Tennessee and New York Law School. He and his wife, Lauren, have two children, Cason and Caylor.
49
Coastal Carolina Band & Spirit The Chanticleer Regiment is the spirited marching band of Coastal Carolina University (CCU) and one of the most visible, energetic student organizations on campus. Formed to support CCU athletics and uphold campus traditions, the Regiment performs at all home football games, select awaygame appearances, and special exhibitions throughout the year. Its membership is impressively diverse, bringing together students from every college and academic major to create a unified sound and a powerful teal presence. Fun Facts About the Chanticleer Regiment • • • •
Named After a Storybook Rooster – The band proudly shares its name with CCU’s mascot, the Chanticleer, a clever and confident rooster inspired by The Canterbury Tales. International Performers – The Regiment took CCU spirit across the Atlantic when it was selected to perform in the prestigious 2023 London New Year’s Day Parade. Record Growth – In Fall 2025, the band marched its largest ensemble in school history, highlighted by the biggest freshman class the organization has ever welcomed. A Young but Growing Tradition – Founded in 2003, the Chanticleer Regiment is a relatively young collegiate marching band, yet it continues to build strong traditions and an expanding legacy each season. The Coastal Carolina University cheerleaders and dance team are an energetic and visible force across campus, bringing spirit, pride, and professionalism to every event they attend. Serving as ambassadors for Chanticleer Nation, the squad plays a central role in creating the game-day atmosphere that fans have come to love, whether inside Brooks Stadium, on the hardwood at the HTC Center, or at community appearances throughout the Grand Strand.
More than just performers on the sidelines, Coastal’s cheerleaders and dance team represent the university with discipline and dedication. Their year-round training includes strength conditioning, tumbling, stunting, and choreography, ensuring they are prepared to deliver high-level routines in front of thousands of fans. The team’s commitment extends well beyond athletics, too—they frequently participate in campus initiatives, local outreach programs, charity events, and youth clinics, reinforcing their position as leaders within the community. At athletic events, the squad is instrumental in energizing the crowd and elevating the student section. Their coordinated chants, sharp stunts, and spirited performances help drive momentum and support Chanticleer teams across all sports. Whether it’s rallying fans during tense moments or celebrating major highlights, the cheerleaders contribute to the unmistakable Coastal Carolina game-day identity. The group also upholds strong academic and personal standards, balancing rigorous practice schedules with demanding coursework. Many members serve as mentors on campus or are active in additional student organizations. With their enthusiasm, talent, and commitment to excellence, the Coastal Carolina University spirit squad continues to exemplify the spirit of Teal Nation and play an essential role in showcasing what it means to be a Chanticleer.
50
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Coastal Carolina NUMERICAL ROSTER 0
Karmello English
WR
12
Tad Hudson
QB
25
Breyahn Townsend
RB
46
Javen Augustus
DE
73
Anthony Walton
OL
1
Shane Bruce
LB
12
Dre Pinckney
S
26
Chase Jackson
S
46
Gavin Carrick
LS
74
Desmond Jackson
OL
1
Robby Washington
WR
13
Noah Gibson
CB
27
Ja’Varis Bufford
CB
48
Haden Tessier
P
75
Michael Cogoni
OL
2
Malcolm Gillie
WR
14
Colton Hinton
WR
28
Rilan Cunningham
S
49
Shaikh Thompson
DE
77
Johnathan Ashley
OL
2
Ja’Marion Wayne
CB
14
Myles Woods
S
28
Joe Ober
RB
51
Heston Edwards
OL
80
Trishstin Glass
WR
3
Zach Cody
CB
15
Eli Aragon
WR
29
Emile Sebafundi
P
52
Ibrahim Diawara
DE
81
Dwayne White
WR
3
Malick Meiga
WR
15
Darrion Henry-Young
DE
30
Dontae Lunan
LB
54
La’Damion Williams
OL
82
Nathan Schuessler
WR
4
Bryson Graves
WR
16
Jeffrey Ugo
S
31
Walt Gray
LB
55
Tray Brown
LB
84
Xakery Wiedner
WR
4
Lionell Whitaker
CB
17
Chris Henry
5
Ja’Vin Simpkins
RB
17
Cameron Wright
5
Dante Thomas
S
18
6
Xamarion Gordon
S
18
6
D’Mariun Perteet
RB
19
Jon Hunt
QB
7
Larell Howling
CB
19
Se’Von McDowell
LB
7
MJ Morris
QB
20
Jevon Edwards
RB
8
Myles Mooyoung
CB
20
Luke Murphy
LB
8
Jameson Tucker
WR
21
Jalen John
9
Emmett Brown
QB
21
Kareem Williams
9
Avyonne Jones
S
22
10
Fredd Adams
CB
23
10
Samari Collier
QB
11
Brooks Johnson
TE
S
32
Nate Gregory
LB
55
Gavin McLaughlin
OL
85
Ben Vergs
TE
WR
33
Zach Courtney
TE
56
Tray Franklin
OL
86
Josh Humes
TE
Cane Berrong
TE
34
Wyatt Gedeon
LB
56
Obinna Onwuka
DE
87
Paul Hartman
TE
Zeke Campbell
DE
35
Kaden Sapp
LB
57
Zac Elam
OL
90
Tyler Moore
NT
37
Cameron Avery
LB
58
Thomas Johnson
OL
91
Kian Afrookhteh
PK
39
Geajorm Akpaloo
LB
58
Sam Ross
DE
92
Aamarii Notice
NT
40
Jayden Bryant
DE
61
Julius Tate
OL
93
Eric Taylor
NT
41
Philippe Laforge
PK
62
Nick Del Grande
OL
96
Javen Johnson
NT
RB
42
Noah Arinze
DE
63
Brayson McIver
OL
97
Jordan Mack
DE
S
43
Jayden Jackson
S
65
Josh Daniels
OL
98
Travis Nesbitt
DE
Jacob Robinson
S
43
Nate Merchant
LS
66
Kain McDonald
OL
99
Sawyer Goram-Welch
NT
Dominic Knicely
RB
44
Brown Reaves
TE
68
Joseph Hanson
OL
23
Xavier McIntyre
S
44
Malaki Te’o
LB
70
Daniel Jones
OL
25
Brandon Rose
S
45
Kadon Crawford
LB
72
Dominic Rijos
OL
52
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Louisiana Tech NUMERICAL ROSTER 0
Andrew Burnette RB
15
David Pierro WR
35
Cole Watson LB
52
Troy Smith III OL
80
Dane Benedix WR
0
Sam Fongang DB
17
Amari Butler DB
36
Zander Hayes LB
53
Austin Ellis OL
82
Luke Seib TE
1
Devin Gandy WR
18
Jaitlin Hampton DB
36
Riley Small RB
54
Toby Mealer OL
83
Luke Watkins WR
1
Michael Richard DB
18
Marlion Jackson WR
37
Zachary Jackson DB
55
Landon Nelson OL
84
Eli Finley TE
2
Trey Kukuk QB
19
Jordan Pierro DB
38
Kaegan Kent
K
56
Andrew Richard OL
85
Adem Madise WR
2
Joshua Cobbs DB
19
Mason Welch QB
39
Jacoryian Crowe DB
57
Jadon Smith OL
87
Brayden Bockler TE
3
Kameron Carter DB
20
Kenyatta McNeese DB
40
Kaleb Andrus LB
58
Jonathan Denis OL
88
Johnnie Thiel IV WR
3
Dedrick Latulas WR
21
Zheric Hill LB
41
Ean Burch LS
59
Jake Riggs LS
89
Chase Grosfeld WR
4
Kam Franklin DB
22
Jadon Mayfield LB
42
Sifa Leota LB
60
Roy Brackins III OL
90
Jayden Madkins DL
4
Clay Thevenin RB
23
Alonzo Jackson Jr. LB
43
Drew Henderson K
61
Ervin Smith OL
91
Caleb Sims DL
5
Blake Baker QB
24
Javari Lockhart DB
44
Kaleb Coleman DL
64
Jake Acklin OL
92
Lane Condry DL
6
Tre Averhart WR
25
Colton Deckard LB
45
Jojo Odom DL
66
Will Hutchens OL
93
Jacob Bradford DL
6
Jakari Foster DB
25
Amani Givens RB
46
Deven Muniz TE
67
Brett Canis OL
94
Emmanuel Oguns DL
10
Jackson Bradley QB
26
Dylone Brooks RB
46
Daylin Page DL
72
Hayden Christman OL
95
Trevell Vivians DL
10
Kolbe Fields LB
27
Kolby Thomas WR
47
Jay Wilkerson WR
73
Kenneth Bannister OL
96
Zion Nason DL
11
Jalen Mickens WR
29
Lexington Matthews
P
48
John Hoyet Chance
P
76
Cyler Corn OL
97
Christian Davis DL
11
Cedric Woods DB
31
Brayden Curry WR
49
James Predtechenkis
LB
78
Bryson Weathers OL
98
Donovan Rieman DL
14
Jordan McRae DB
33
Jaylon Parnell LB
50
Tazio Rosso OL
79
Ashanti Cole OL
99
Judd Rouyea DL
53
Louisiana Tech Season in Review GAME 1
and Jojo Odom also added sacks, while Michael Richard grabbed an interception on LSU’s opening drive.
Aug. 30 | Joe Aillet Stadium | Ruston, La.
The Bulldogs crossed midfield three times but punted on each trip. Tech finally broke through late in the fourth quarter when quarterback Blake Baker connected with Devin Gandy for a 33-yard touchdown to cap a 13-play, 74-yard drive. Gandy led Tech with 33 receiving yards, while Eli Finley added four catches for 18. Baker and Trey Kukuk combined for 96 passing yards, and Clay Thevenin paced the ground game with 22 yards. Punter John Hoyet Chance helped flip field position, averaging 38.4 yards on nine punts and pinning LSU inside its own 10 four times.
Louisiana Tech 24, Southeastern Louisiana 0 Louisiana Tech’s defense dominated the season opener, pitching a shutout in a 24-0 win over Southeastern Louisiana on at Joe Aillet Stadium. LA Tech (1-0) forced three turnovers and delivered its second straight home shutout, following last year’s finale against Kennesaw State. The Bulldogs held SLU (0-1) to 3.6 yards per play and came up with key stops all night. Linebackers Kolbe Fields and Sifa Leota posted 13 tackles each, while Mekhi Mason added nine stops, 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks in a disruptive performance. The turning point came midway through the third quarter, when defensive back Kam Franklin scooped up a fumble and returned it 80 yards to push the lead to 24-0. The score capped a seven-minute stretch in which Tech found the end zone three times. After a slow first half, the offense responded. Quarterback Trey Kukuk threw for 130 yards and a touchdown to Omiri Wiggins, and running back Clay Thevenin added a 2-yard score following a 33-yard burst. Drew Henderson’s 18-yard field goal sent Tech into halftime up 3-0. Tech finished with 262 yards of offense but leaned on a defense that posted four sacks, 11 tackles for loss and held SLU to 0-for-2 on fourth down.
GAME 2
LSU 23, Louisiana Tech 7
Sept. 6 | Tiger Stadium | Baton Rouge, La. Louisiana Tech’s defense battled for four quarters inside a sold-out Tiger Stadium, but the Bulldogs fell 23–7 to No. 3 LSU on a Saturday night in front of 101,667 fans. LA Tech (1–1) held LSU (2–0) to two touchdowns and forced three field goals, keeping the game within reach despite being limited to 154 total yards. The Bulldogs recorded eight tackles for loss, led by Mekhi Mason’s 11 stops and a sack. Christian Davis, Jadon Mayfield
LSU led 10–0 at halftime, extended the margin to 17–0 in the third and added two fourthquarter field goals to seal it.
GAME 3
Louisiana Tech 49, New Mexico State 14 Sept. 13 | Joe Aillet Stadium | Ruston, La.
Louisiana Tech opened Conference USA play with a dominant 49–14 win over New Mexico State at Joe Aillet Stadium. LA Tech (2–1, 1–0 CUSA) controlled the game on the ground, rushing for 353 yards on 65 carries. Quarterback Blake Baker, in his first start of the season, ran for 103 yards and a touchdown and threw for 182 yards and another score. Omiri Wiggins added 68 yards and a TD, Clay Thevenin had 68 yards, and Andrew Burnette chipped in 41 yards and a touchdown. The Bulldogs built a 24–0 lead behind a 55-yard field goal from John Hoyet Chance, a 40yard TD pass from Baker to Jalen Mickens, Burnette’s 11-yard run, and a 42-yard strike from Trey Kukuk to Marlion Jackson. NM State (2–1, 0–1) cut the margin to 24–14 with two quick touchdown passes, but Tech regained control with a late field goal for a 27–14 halftime lead. The defense sealed it after halftime, forcing three turnovers and holding the Aggies scoreless. Jacob Bradford’s 20-yard fumble return TD sparked a 22-point fourth quarter that included scores from Baker and Wiggins. Tech outgained NMSU 574–308 and limited them to 27 rushing yards.
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GAME 4
LA Tech (4–1, 2–0 CUSA) overcame four turnovers by intercepting five passes from UTEP (1–4, 0–1), scoring twice on defense to stay unbeaten in league play. The Bulldogs opened the scoring in the first quarter when Blake Baker hit Marques Singleton Jr. for a 5-yard touchdown, set up by Sifa Leota’s interception off a tipped ball by Mekhi Mason.
Louisiana Tech 30, Southern Miss 20
Sept. 20 | Joe Aillet Stadium | Ruston, La.
After a scoreless second quarter, Tech pushed the lead to 10–0 late in the third on a 37-yard field goal by Drew Henderson following another Miner turnover. UTEP cut the margin to 10–3 early in the fourth, but the Bulldogs quickly responded. Jakari Foster jumped a route and returned an interception 67 yards for a touchdown, and Clay Thevenin capped a 42yard drive with a 4-yard score to make it 24–3.
Louisiana Tech used a dominant first half and a momentum-shifting defensive score to defeat rival Southern Miss 30–20 at Joe Aillet Stadium. LA Tech (3–1) scored all 30 of its points before halftime, building a 20-point lead it would not relinquish. The Bulldogs opened with a 74-yard, two-play drive capped by a one-yard keeper from Blake Baker, set up by a 73-yard catch-and-run from tight end Eli Finley. After USM (2–2) answered, Drew Henderson hit a 24-yard field goal and Omiri Wiggins added a three-yard touchdown for a 17–10 lead after one.
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UTEP answered with a late touchdown and two-point conversion, but Tech sealed the win two plays later when Alonzo Jackson Jr. returned an interception 23 yards for the Bulldogs’ second defensive score. LA Tech held UTEP to 145 passing yards. Baker went 18-of-26 for 137 yards and a touchdown.
GAME 6
Kennesaw State 35, Louisiana Tech 7
Oct. 9 | Walens Family Field at Fifth Third Stadium | Kennesaw, Ga.
Eli Finley
Louisiana Tech started fast, but turnovers proved costly in a 35–7 loss at Kennesaw State inside Walens Family Field.
The second quarter delivered the turning points. Linebacker Kolbe Fields jumped a route and returned an interception 48 yards for a touchdown, and Clay Thevenin’s one-yard run capped a 14-play, 80-yard drive to make it 30–10 at halftime.
LA Tech (4–2, 2–1 CUSA) opened with a defensive 3-and-out and a 70-yard scoring drive capped by a one-yard touchdown run from Omiri Wiggins for a 7–0 lead. The Bulldogs held Kennesaw State (4–2, 2–0) to 34 yards in the first quarter and forced punts on the Owls’ first three possessions.
Southern Miss outgained Tech 514–340 but managed only a field goal and a late touchdown in the second half. The Bulldogs produced a key goal-line stand in the third quarter to preserve the lead.
Momentum shifted in the second quarter when quarterback Blake Baker exited with an injury. Already without star linebacker Kolbe Fields, Tech’s depth was tested, and KSU capitalized with 14 unanswered points — one after a 92-yard drive and another following an interception.
Baker finished 15-of-21 for 239 yards, while Finley posted a career-high 155 yards on six catches. Fields led the defense with nine tackles and the pick-six.
GAME 5
The Owls pulled away in the second half behind three touchdown passes from Dexter Williams II, who finished 27-of-36 for 290 yards and four scores. Kennesaw State outscored Tech 28–0 after the first quarter.
Louisiana Tech 30, UTEP 11
Sept. 27 | Sun Bowl | El Paso, Texas
Tech, which had forced a turnover in every game this season, failed to create one, while two Bulldog interceptions led to 14 KSU points.
Louisiana Tech used a dominant defensive performance and two pick-sixes to defeat UTEP 30–11 at the Sun Bowl.
Evan Bullock went 11-of-21 for 112 yards in relief. Wiggins rushed for 67 yards and the lone score, while Marlion Jackson led Tech with 49 receiving yards. Jacob Fields posted nine tackles.
57
Louisiana Tech Season in Review GAME 7
GAME 10
Oct. 10 | Joe Aillet Stadium | Ruston, La.
Nov. 16 | Martin Stadium | Pullman, Wash.
Western Kentucky 28, Louisiana Tech 27 (OT)
Washington State 28, Louisiana Tech 3
Louisiana Tech rallied from a 13-point deficit and briefly took the lead in overtime, but WKU converted a walk-off two-point attempt to escape with a 28–27 win at Joe Aillet Stadium.
Louisiana Tech's defense battled for four quarters at Martin Stadium but fell 28–3 to Washington State.
LA Tech (4–3, 2–2 CUSA) opened with a touchdown for the fourth straight game, but WKU (6–2, 4–1) responded with 17 unanswered points to lead 20–7 at halftime. Devin Gandy jump-started the comeback with an 85-yard kickoff return to begin the third quarter, cutting the deficit to six.
The Bulldogs (5-5) trailed 14-3 at halftime as Tech's offense was unable to find a consistent rhythm throughout the game. LA Tech allowed two touchdowns in each half. Down 14-0 with nine seconds left in the half, Drew Henderson connected on a 51-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 14-3 at the break.
Tech’s defense shut out the Hilltoppers the rest of regulation, and John Hoyet Chance hit a pair of 24-yard field goals in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 20–20 and force overtime.
LA Tech allowed just 146 passing yards and 157 rushing yards. Jacob Fields led the defense with seven tackles, while Sam Fongang and Mekhi Mason each added six.
In OT, Andrew Burnette finished a five-play drive with a two-yard touchdown run to give Tech the lead. WKU answered with a four-yard score and then opted to go for two, converting on a pass from Rodney Tisdale Jr. to K.D. Hutchinson for the win.
Offensively, Tech utilized a two-quarterback system with Evan Bullock and Trey Kukuk, who combined to go 9 of 21 for 60 yards.
Blake Baker completed 31-of-45 passes for 340 yards and a touchdown and added a teamhigh 49 rushing yards. Marlion Jackson led Tech with 103 receiving yards.
Andrew Burnette and Kukuk paced the Bulldogs on the ground with 39 yards each. Eli Finley led the receiving corps with three catches for 21 yards. Jacob Fields led the defense with seven stops.
Jacob Fields (11 tackles) and Jakari Foster (10) led the defense, while Kameron Carter recorded a fourth-quarter interception. Tech outgained WKU 449–340.
GAME 11
GAME 8
Louisiana Tech 34, Liberty 28
Nov. 22 | Joe Aillet Stadium | Ruston, La.
Louisiana Tech 55, Sam Houston 14
Oct. 31 | Joe Aillet Stadium | Ruston, La.
Andrew Burnette’s 25-yard touchdown run on the first play of overtime capped a stunning 27-point comeback as Louisiana Tech beat Liberty 34-28 at Joe Aillet Stadium.
Louisiana Tech turned Halloween night into a nightmare for Sam Houston, rolling to a 55–14 win behind a devastating rushing attack at Joe Aillet Stadium.
LA Tech (6-5, 4-3 CUSA), down 28-7 midway through the third quarter, clawed back behind key fourth-down conversions and three straight defensive interceptions. The Bulldogs nearly won in regulation, but John Hoyet Chance’s 54-yard field goal hit the right upright as time expired.
LA Tech (5–3, 3–2 CUSA) racked up 646 total yards, including 425 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns while averaging nearly 11 yards per carry. The Bulldogs scored multiple touchdowns in every quarter.
In overtime, the Tech defense struck first as Jakari Foster intercepted his second pass of the day—Tech’s fourth pick overall—at the goal line. On the Bulldogs’ first snap, Burnette burst up the middle for the walk-off score, securing bowl eligibility.
Tech struck quickly as Blake Baker hit Devin Gandy for a 36-yard touchdown on the opening drive. Clay Thevenin added a six-yard score to make it 14–0 after one. Thevenin opened the second quarter with a 50-yard touchdown burst, and Baker’s one-yard keeper sent the Bulldogs into halftime up 27–0.
Tech opened the game with a 13-play touchdown drive, but Liberty (4-7, 3-4) controlled much of the afternoon behind Evan Dickens’ 228 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The Flames led 28-7 before Trey Kukuk’s 31-yard TD run sparked the rally. Burnette added a short score, and Kukuk tied the game with a 29-yard keeper after another interception.
Sam Houston (0–8, 0–5) got on the board with a 28-yard run from Elijah Green early in the third, but Tech answered immediately. Omiri Wiggins punched in a 16-yard score before Thevenin’s third TD — a 25-yard sprint — stretched the lead to 41–7.
LA Tech finished with 319 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. Kukuk totaled 261 yards and two scores, while Burnette added 93 yards and three TDs.
The defense added a highlight when Jacob Fields returned an interception 85 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth. On the next series, Andrew Burnette sealed the rout with a 66-yard scoring run.
GAME 12
Baker finished 17-of-21 for 221 yards, while Thevenin (143 yards), Wiggins (136) and Burnette (72) powered the roaring ground attack.
Louisiana Tech 42, Missouri State 30
Nov. 29 | Robert W. Plaster Stadium | Springfield, Mo. The Louisiana Tech football team (7-5, 5-3 Conference USA) secured its first winning season since 2019 with a 42-30 road win over Missouri State.
GAME 9
Delaware 25, Louisiana Tech 24
The Bulldogs rushed for 388 of their 475 total yards and all five touchdowns. Tech set the tone immediately, forcing an early punt before Andrew Burnette broke free for a 98-yard touchdown run on the Bulldogs’ first play from scrimmage. Burnette later capped an 85yard drive with his second score to put Tech up 14-0.
Nov. 8 | Delaware Stadium | Newark, Del. Louisiana Tech’s fourth-quarter rally came up short as Delaware hit a 51-yard field goal with 12 seconds left to edge the Bulldogs 25-24 at Delaware Stadium.
Missouri State cut the lead to 14-10 before halftime, but Tech responded in the third quarter with a Trey Kukuk rushing touchdown. After the Bears answered with a long run to make it 21-17, the Bulldogs mounted a 16-play drive that drained eight minutes and ended with Kukuk’s second touchdown.
Trailing 16-7 entering the fourth, LA Tech (5-4, 3-3 CUSA) scored 17 straight points in six minutes. Drew Henderson’s 38-yard field goal cut the deficit, and Clay Thevenin’s 13-yard touchdown run put Tech ahead 17-16 with 3:09 remaining. Moments later, Jacob Fields returned an interception 38 yards for a score, extending the lead to 24-16.
The teams traded explosive plays in the fourth. Missouri State pulled within 28-23 on a 75yard touchdown, but Devin Gandy immediately returned the kickoff 93 yards to extend the lead. Kukuk sealed the game with a 56-yard touchdown run, and safety Jakari Foster ended the Bears’ final drive with his NCAA-leading seventh interception.
Delaware (5-4, 3-3) responded with an eight-play, 75-yard drive, capped by a 3-yard touchdown pass with 34 seconds left. The two-point try failed, but the Blue Hens recovered the onside kick. A short completion pushed them into range for Nate Reed, who drilled the game-winner from 51 yards.
Kukuk finished with 172 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Burnette added 132 yards and two scores.
Thevenin led Tech with 106 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns. The Bulldogs, who used three quarterbacks, missed two field goals and were outgained 399-333. Tech’s defense picked off two passes and held Delaware under 100 rushing yards, but Nick Minicucci’s 304 passing yards and Reed’s four field goals proved decisive.
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Scouting the Bulldogs QUARTERBACKS
Offensive Line
The Bulldog offense featured two quarterbacks this season in Trey Kukuk and Blake Baker. Kukuk, a junior college transfer, started the first two games before Baker took over for the next seven. Baker was lost for the season after suffering a torn ACL against Delaware, and with Kukuk banged up, Evan Bullock made the start against Washington State before an injury sidelined him for the remainder of the year. Kukuk returned to the starting role for the final two games and took full advantage, recording back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances to close the season and secure a winning record for the Bulldogs. In addition to Kukuk’s two 100-yard rushing games, Baker added one against Sam Houston, something a Louisiana Tech quarterback had accomplished only once before this season. Baker finished with 1,251 passing yards and five touchdowns, along with 260 rushing yards and three scores. Kukuk ran for 488 yards and five touchdowns while throwing for 526 yards and two scores.
Left tackle Hayden Christman and left guard Ashanti Cole started all 12 games for on an offensive line that saw nine different players earn starts in 2025. The unit helped pave the way for four 300-plus-yard rushing games and one 400-yard performance. The line also powered three games with five or more rushing touchdowns and created lanes for six individual 100-yard rushing efforts. In the win over Sam Houston, the Bulldogs ran for 425 yards — the third-most in a single game in program history and the most since 1991 — while scoring six rushing touchdowns, tied for the fourth-most in school history and the most since 2015. LA Tech finished the season with the No. 2 rushing offense in Conference USA and ranked No. 22 nationally at 196.6 yards per game.
DEFENSIVE LINE
LA Tech relied on a deep defensive line rotation throughout the season, frequently substituting three fresh players every few snaps. Defensive end Emmanuel Oguns was the only lineman to start all 12 games. Jayden Madkins and Zion Nason each made 10 starts up front. Oguns led the group with 29 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss, while Kansas State transfer Donovan Rieman excelled in his first season in Ruston, posting 28 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. In total, the Bulldogs’ defensive line combined for 18.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, with four players recording multiple tackles for loss. Jacob Bradford recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown against New Mexico State.
LINEBACKERS
LA Tech’s linebacking corps proved to be one of the team’s strongest units despite an early season-ending injury to CUSA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Kolbe Fields. Fields appeared in five games and still finished with 39 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, two interceptions and one touchdown. Mehki Mason led the group with 68 tackles and paced both the team and the conference with 14.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Redshirt freshman Jadon Mayfield delivered a strong campaign as well, recording 57 tackles, nine tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Sifa Leota added 52 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. In total, the linebacker unit combined for 287 tackles, 40.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, four interceptions and two touchdowns. Mason earned second-team All-CUSA honors, while Mayfield was named to the All-Freshman Team.
Defensive Backs
Clay thevenin
Louisiana Tech’s defensive backfield, featuring three safeties and two cornerbacks, was one of the team’s most dynamic units this season. Led by Co-CUSA Defensive Player of the Year Jacob Fields and All-American safety Jakari Foster, the Bulldogs’ secondary recorded 15 interceptions, four touchdowns and 41 pass breakups. Foster earned All-America honors after leading the nation with seven interceptions, becoming the first FBS player to reach that mark in a season since 2022. The senior added 54 tackles and four pass breakups. Fields, who will not play in the Independence Bowl, led the team with 92 tackles to go along with three interceptions, two touchdowns, five pass breakups and 2.5 tackles for loss. The Bulldogs held four opponents under 150 passing yards and did not allow a passing touchdown in two games.
RUNNING BACKS
Louisiana Tech running backs Clay Thevenin, Andrew Burnette and Omiri Wiggins combined for 1,593 yards and 20 touchdowns on 309 attempts. The trio logged three 100-yard performances, with each player recording one. Thevenin made six starts and led the group with 605 yards and eight touchdowns. He also finished second on the team with 29 receptions for 251 yards. Burnette made one start and rushed for 458 yards and eight scores, including 225 yards and five touchdowns over the final two games of the season. Wiggins made three starts and ran for 468 yards and four touchdowns. Burnette holds the longest rush in the FBS this season, a 98-yard touchdown that he scored on Tech’s first play from scrimmage against Missouri State.
Special Teams
Special teams proved to provide explosive plays in the return game and a punter who was able to consistently flip the field all season long. After making his collegiate debut in last year’s Independence Bowl, do-it-all kicker and punter John Hoyet Chance served as the team’s primary punter and kickoff specialist, while also handling several long field-goal attempts. The Shreveport native finished the regular season with 58 punts for 2,724 yards, averaging 46.97 yards per punt. He led the nation with 28 punts of 50 yards or more and ranked third nationally with 26 punts downed inside the 20. His season-long punt of 72 yards was tied for the longest in Conference USA, and he recorded at least one punt of 50 yards or more in all 12 games, including five games with punts of 60 yards or longer. The redshirt freshman connected on three field goals, including a 55-yarder that is tied for the third-longest field goal in program history. He also recorded 53 touchbacks on 58 kickoff opportunities, totaling 3,786 yards, and earned three CUSA Special Teams Player of the Week honors during the season. In the return game, Tech totaled two kickoff returns for touchdowns, both by Devin Gandy, a First Team All-CUSA kick returner. Gandy led the conference in kickoff return yards (467), touchdowns (2) and average (31.1 yards per return), and was the only CUSA player to eclipse 400 kick return yards. He posted an 85-yard touchdown return against WKU and a 93-yard return for a score against Missouri State. Punt returner Dedrick Latulas also earned All-CUSA honors after returning 18 punts for 170 yards, averaging 9.44 yards per return.
Wide Receivers
Nine Louisiana Tech wide receivers caught a pass this season, combining for 100 receptions, 1,183 yards and six touchdowns. Marques Singleton Jr. led the group with 23 receptions, followed by Devin Gandy with 22 and Jalen Mickens with 20. Gandy led all Tech receivers with 376 yards and was the only wideout with multiple touchdown catches, finishing with two. Marlion Jackson ranked second on the team with 283 yards and one touchdown on 17 receptions.
Tight Ends
The Bulldogs frequently used two-tight-end sets this season, relying on Eli Finley and Brayden Bockler. Finley played in all 12 games with 11 starts, while Bockler appeared in all 12 games with one start. Luke Seib also saw action at tight end. Finley led the team in receptions (37) and receiving yards (440). He posted three games with five or more receptions and recorded a career-high 154 yards on a career-high six receptions against Southern Miss, becoming the first Tech tight end since 2009 to eclipse 100 receiving yards. The tight ends also played a key role in the run game, helping pave the way for four 300-yard rushing performances — including one 400-yard outing — and six individual 100-yard rushing games.
60
Louisiana Tech Alphabetical Roster NO. NAME
POS. CL. HT.
WT. HOMETOWN / PREVIOUS SCHOOL
NO. NAME
POS. CL. HT.
WT. HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS SCHOOL)
64
Jake Acklin
OL 6-5 297
R-Fr. Haynesville, La. / Haynesville HS
38
Kaegan Kent
K
5-8 160
Fr.
Shreveport, La. / Evangel Christian Academy
40
Kaleb Andrus
LB
6-1 190
Fr.
Alexandria, La. / Acadiana HS
2
Trey Kukuk
QB 6-1 201
Jr.
Mission Viejo, Calif. / Saddleback CC
6
Tre Averhart
WR 6-4 215
Sr.
West Palm Beach, Fla. / Keiser University
3
Dedrick Latulas
WR 5-7 165
R-So. New Iberia, La. / Westgate HS
5
Blake Baker
QB 6-5 220
R-So. Cypress, Texas / Cypress Ranch HS
42
Sifa Leota
LB
R-Sr. Euless, Texas / North Texas
73
Kenneth Bannister OL 6-3 304
R-Sr. New Orleans, La. / Edna Karr HS
24
Javari Lockhart
DB 6-1 170
Fr.
80
Dane Benedix
WR 6-0 195
Jr.
Mission Viejo, Calif. / Saddleback CC
85
Adem Madise
WR 6-2 200
R-So. Dallas, Texas / South Oak Cliff HS
87
Brayden Bockler
TE
So.
San Juan Capistrano, Calif. / Saddleback CC
90
Jayden Madkins
DL 6-2 275
Jr.
60
Roy Brackins III
OL 6-3 308
R-So. Baton Rouge, La. / Woodlawn HS
29
Lexington Matthews P
6-3 196
R-So. Atlanta, Ga. / Savannah State
93
Jacob Bradford
DL 6-1 290
R-Fr. Pass Christian, Miss. / St. Stanislaus HS
22
Jadon Mayfield
5-11 225
R-Fr. Ruston, La. / Ruston HS
10
Jackson Bradley
QB 6-3 220
Fr.
Oak Grove, La. / Oak Grove HS
20
Kenyatta McNeese DB 5-11 200
R-So. Olympia, Wash. / Olympia HS
26
Dylone Brooks
RB 5-10 200
Fr.
Ruston, La. / Ruston HS
14
Jordan McRae
DB 5-11 180
So.
McRae, Ga. / Georgia Military College
41
Ean Burch
LS
6-0 215
R-Sr. Shreveport, La. / Loyola College Prep
54
Toby Mealer
OL 6-5 325
Fr.
American Fork, Utah / Lone Peak HS
0
Andrew Burnette
RB 6-2 238
R-Sr. Jensen Beach, Fla. / Keiser University
11
Jalen Mickens
WR 5-9 187
Fr.
Willis, Texas / Willis HS
17
Amari Butler
DB 5-10 186
Jr.
Petal, Miss. / Pearl River CC
46
Deven Muniz
TE
Jr.
West Covina, Calif. / Pasadena City College
67
Brett Canis
OL 6-6 326
R-Sr. Midland, Texas / Texas Tech
96
Zion Nason
DL 6-2 293
R-Sr. Canton, Miss. / Mississippi Gulf Coast CC
3
Kameron Carter
DB 6-1 175
Jr.
Natchez, Miss. / Southwest Mississippi CC
55
Landon Nelson
OL 6-1 292
R-Sr. Underwood, Iowa / Iowa Western CC
48
John Hoyet Chance P
R-Fr. Shreveport, La. / Captain Shreve HS
45
Jojo Odom
DL 6-4 265
Fr.
72
Hayden Christman OL 6-6 331
R-So. Tioga, La. / Tioga HS
94
Emmanuel Oguns
DL 6-5 260
R-Jr. Alief, Texas / Tyler JC
2
Joshua Cobbs
DB 6-2 210
R-Sr. West Monroe, La. / West Monroe HS
46
Daylin Page
DL 6-4 236
Fr.
Hattiesburg, Miss. / North Forrest HS
79
Ashanti Cole
OL 6-3 312
Sr.
Coushatta, La. / Grambling State
33
Jaylon Parnell
LB
5-11 224
Fr.
Pascagoula, Miss. / Pascagoula HS
44
Kaleb Coleman
DL 6-4 255
R-Fr. Trophy Club, Texas / East Texas A&M
15
David Pierro
WR 5-11 185
Jr.
Fresno, Calif. / Diablo Valley College
92
Lane Condry
DL 6-4 270
So.
19
Jordan Pierro
DB 5-10 175
R-Fr. Fresno, Calif. / Fresno State
76
Cyler Corn
OL 6-4 314
R-Fr. Groesbeck, Texas / Groesbeck HS
49
James Predtechenkis LB
39
Jacoryian Crowe
DB 5-10 175
R-Fr. Ruston, La. / Ruston HS
56
Andrew Richard
OL 6-3 304
R-Fr. Central, La. / Central HS
31
Brayden Curry
WR 5-7 161
R-So. Shreveport, La. / Evangel Christian Academy
1
Michael Richard
DB 5-11 185
Jr.
97
Christian Davis
DL 6-3 328
R-So. Ruston, La. / Northwestern State
98
Donovan Rieman
DL 6-4 265
R-Jr. Enid, Okla. / Kansas State
25
Colton Deckard
LB
R-So. Muenster, Texas / Muenster HS
59
Jake Riggs
LS
R-Fr. Dallas, Texas / Prestonwood Christian Academy
58
Jonathan Denis
OL 6-3 316
R-Sr. Homestead, Fla. / Central Missouri / Miami
50
Tazio Rosso
OL 6-1 271
Fr.
51
Amery Edwards
DL 6-2 285
So.
Alexandria, La. / Co-Lin CC
99
Judd Rouyea
DL 6-2 267
R-So. Baton Rouge, La. / Catholic HS
53
Austin Ellis
OL 6-4 305
R-Fr. Whitehouse, Texas / Bullard HS
82
Luke Seib
TE
R-So. Blue Springs, Mo. / UTEP
10
Kolbe Fields
LB
6-0 225
R-Sr. New Orleans, La. / LSU
30
Sentel Simpson
DB 6-4 183
Fr.
84
Eli Finley
TE
6-6 246
Jr.
Heath, Texas / Rockwall Heath HS
91
Caleb Sims
DL 6-5 276
R-Sr. Mansfield, Texas / East Texas A&M
0
Sam Fongang
DB 6-2 195
Jr.
Mansfield, Texas / Tyler JC
36
Riley Small
RB 5-10 190
R-Fr. Gonzales, La. / University Lab
6
Jakari Foster
DB 6-0 211
R-Sr. Piedmont, Ala. / Hutchinson CC
61
Ervin Smith
OL 6-1 292
Fr.
4
Kam Franklin
DB 6-2 211
R-So. Oak Grove, La. / Oklahoma State
57
Jadon Smith
OL 6-2 298
R-So. Jennings, La. / Jennings HS
1
Devin Gandy
WR 5-11 165
R-Sr. Victorville, Calif. / Sacramento State
52
Troy Smith III
OL 6-3 301
R-So. New Orleans, La. / St. Augustine HS
25
Amani Givens
RB 5-7 199
Sr.
Baton Rouge, La. / El Camino CC
4
Clay Thevenin
RB 5-10 202
So.
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. / Navarro College
89
Chase Grosfeld
WR 6-2 200
Jr.
Cypress, Calif. / Cerritos College
88
Johnnie Thiel IV
WR 5-11 175
Fr.
Destrehan, La. / Destrehan HS
18
Jaitlin Hampton
DB 5-11 170
Jr.
Lancaster, Texas / Coastal Carolina
27
Kolby Thomas
WR 5-9 165
Fr.
Shreveport, La. / Calvary Baptist Academy
36
Zander Hayes
LB
5-10 194
Fr.
Ruston, La. / Ruston HS
95
Trevell Vivians
DL 6-2 311
R-Jr. Philadelphia, Miss. / Hinds CC
43
Drew Henderson
K
5-8 180
R-So. Granbury, Texas / Granbury HS
83
Luke Watkins
WR 6-4 205
Fr.
21
Zheric Hill
LB
6-0 230
Fr.
35
Cole Watson
LB
R-Fr. Marshall, Texas / Tatum HS
66
Will Hutchens
OL 6-3 305
R-So. Lindale, Texas / Sam Houston
78
Bryson Weathers
OL 6-6 293
Fr.
18
Marlion Jackson
WR 6-2 215
R-Jr. Flowery Branch, Ga. / Cherokee Bluff HS
19
Mason Welch
QB 6-5 227
R-So. Shreveport, La. / Kilgore CC
37
Zachary Jackson
DB 5-10 170
R-Fr. Monroe, La. / Neville HS
47
Jay Wilkerson
WR 6-1 175
R-Jr. Midlothian, Texas / Navarro College
23
Alonzo Jackson Jr.
LB
R-Fr. Haynesville, La. / Haynesville HS
11
Cedric Woods
DB 5-11 185
R-Sr. Monroe, La. / Carroll HS
6-4 237
6-1 205
6-2 220
6-1 227
Broken Arrow, Okla. / NE Oklahoma A&M
Grambling, La. / Ruston HS
62
LB
6-3 235
6-3 223
6-1 200
5-11 188
6-4 220
6-0 220
Monroe, La. / Neville HS Houston, Texas / Tyler JC
Parrish, Ala. / Jasper HS
R-Fr. Richardson, Texas / Covenant Christian HS New Orleans, La. / Edna Karr HS
St. Marys, Ga. / Camden County HS
Little Elm, Texas / Frisco Panther Creek
Baton Rouge, La. / Catholic HS
Prosper, Texas / Walnut Grove HS Ward, Ark. / Cabot HS
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Unofficial Louisiana Tech Depth Chart OFFENSE QB
2 19 10
Trey Kukuk Mason Welch Jackson Bradley
6-1 6-5 6-3
201 227 220
Jr. R-So. Fr.
RB
4 0 25
Clay Thevenin Andrew Burnette Amani Givens
5-10 202 6-2 238 5-7 199
TE
84 87 82
Eli Finley Brayden Bockler Luke Seib
6-6 6-4 6-4
WR-X
1 83
WR-H
WR-Z
DEFENSE DE
90 91 45
Jayden Madkins Caleb Sims Jojo Odom
6-2 6-5 6-4
275 276 265
Jr. R-Sr. Fr.
So. R-Sr. Sr.
DT
96 97 95
Zion Nason Christian Davis Trevell Vivians
6-2 6-3 6-2
293 328 311
R-Sr. R-So. R-Jr.
244 237 220
Jr. So. R-So.
DE
94 98 92
Emmanuel Oguns Donovan Rieman Lane Condry
6-5 6-4 6-4
260 265 270
R-Jr. R-Jr. So.
Devin Gandy Luke Watkins
5-11 165 6-4 205
R-Sr. Fr.
LB
22 35
Jadon Mayfield Cole Watson
5-11 225 6-0 220
R-Fr. R-Fr.
11 3 15
Jalen Mickens Dedrick Latulas David Pierro
5-9 187 5-7 165 5-11 185
Fr. R-So. Jr.
LB
23 25
Alonzo Jackson Jr. Colton Deckard
6-1 227 R-Fr. 6-1 220 R-So.
18 80 6
Marlion Jackson Dane Benedix Tre Averhart
6-2 6-0 6-4
215 220 215
R-Jr. R-So. Sr.
LB
42 21
Sifa Leota Zheric Hill
6-3 6-0
235 230
R-Sr. Fr.
CB
LT
72 67
Hayden Christman Brett Canis
6-6 6-6
331 R-So. 326 R-Sr.
17 3
Amari Butler Kam Carter
5-10 186 6-1 175
Jr. Jr.
S
LG
79 53
Ashanti Cole Austin Ellis
6-3 6-4
312 305
R-Jr. R-Fr.
0 20
Sam Fongang Kenyatta McNeese
6-2 195 5-11 200
Jr. R-So.
S
C
55 56
Landon Nelson Andrew Richard
6-1 6-3
305 304
R-Jr. R-Fr.
14 2
Jordan Mcrae Josh Cobbs
5-11 180 6-2 210
So. R-Sr.
S
RG
60 52
Roy Brackins III Troy Smith III
6-3 6-3
308 R-So. 301 R-Sr.
6 4
Jakari Foster Kam Franklin
6-0 6-2
211 211
R-Sr. R-So.
CB
RT
67 73
Brett Canis Kenneth Bannister
6-6 6-3
326 304
11 18
Cedric Woods Jaitlin Hampton
5-11 185 5-11 170
Gr. Jr.
SPECIAL TEAMS
R-Sr. R-Sr.
Devin Gandy
64
K
43 48 38
Drew Henderson John Hoyet Chance Kaegan Kent
5-8 6-1 5-8
184 205 160
R-Fr. R-Fr. Fr.
KO
48
John Hoyet Chance
6-1
205
R-Fr.
P
48
John Hoyet Chance
6-1
205
R-Fr.
LS
41 59
Ean Burch Jake Riggs
6-0 215 5-11 188
R-Sr. R-Fr.
PR
3 11
Dedrick Latulas Cedric Woods
5-7 165 R-So. 5-11 185 Gr.
KR
1 4
Devin Gandy Clay Thevenin
5-11 165 5-10 202
R-Sr. So.
H
48
John Hoyet Chance
6-3
R-Fr.
205
Louisiana Tech Season Stats & Leaders RUSHING
GP
Att
Gain
Loss Net
Avg
TD
Long
Avg/G
PUNT RETURNS
No.
Yards
Avg
TD
Long
Clay Thevenin 12 Trey Kukuk 10 Omiri Wiggins 12 Andrew Burnette 12 Blake Baker 8 Total 12 Opponents 12
121 79 97 78 73 491 391
633 525 491 465 330 2576 1971
28 37 23 7 70 217 266
5.0 6.2 4.8 5.9 3.6 4.8 4.4
8 5 4 8 3 28 13
50 58 37 98 38 98 80
50.4 48.8 39.0 38.2 32.5 196.6 142.1
Dedrick Latulas Marques Singleton Jr. Cedric Woods Total Opponents
18 2 2 22 16
170 46 2 218 150
9.4 23.0 1.0 9.9 9.4
0 0 0 0 0
25 26 10 26 58
INTERCEPTIONS
No.
Yards
Avg
TD
Long
Jakori Foster Jacob Fields Michael Richard Kolbe Fields Kam Franklin Zion Nason Alonzo Jackson Jr. Sifa Leota Kameron Carter Total Opponents
7 3 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 20 9
63 123 0 40 29 25 23 5 0 308 98
9.0 41.0 0.0 20.0 29.0 25.0 23.0 5.0 0.0 15.4 10.9
1 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 5 0
67 85 0 48 29 25 23 5 0 85 29
KICK RETURNS
No.
Yards
Avg
TD
Long
Devin Gandy Clay Thevenin Fred Robertson Omiri Wiggins Total Opponents
15 7 4 1 27 6
467 93 81 9 650 117
31.1 13.29 20.3 9.0 24.1 19.5
2 0 0 0 2 0
93 21 41 9 93 42
605 488 468 458 260 2359 1705
PASSING
GP
Rating Cmp-Att-Int
Blake Baker Trey Kukuk Total Opponents
8 10 12 12
140.4 102-155-3 65.8 118.4 57-86-3 66.3 122.6 186-294-9 63.3 113.4 241-435-20 55.4
RECEIVING
Pct
Yards
TD
Long
Avg/G
1251 526 2015 2811
5 2 7 17
72 42 72 75
156.4 52.6 167.9 234.3
GP
No.
Yards
Avg
TD
Long
Avg/G
Eli Finley 12 Devin Gandy 12 Marlion Jackson 12 Clay Thevenin 12 Jalen Mickens 12 Marques Singleton Jr. 10 Total 12 Opponents 12
37 22 17 29 20 23 186 241
440 376 283 251 177 155 2015 2806
11.9 17.1 16.7 8.7 8.9 6.7 10.8 11.6
0 2 1 0 1 1 7 17
72 42 42 30 40 15 72 75
36.7 31.3 23.6 20.9 14.8 15.5 167.9 233.8
FIELD GOALS
Made-Att Pct 1-19
Drew Henderson 6-11 John Hoyet Chance 3-6
54.6 1-1 50.0 0-0
20-29 30-39 40-49 50+
Lng
Blkd
FUMBLE Returns
No.
Yards
Avg
TD
Long
2-2 2-2
1-1 1-3
51 55
0 1
Kam Franklin Jacob Bradford Total Opponents
1 1 2 1
80 20 100 34
80.0 20.0 50.0 34.0
1 1 2 0
80 20 80 34
PUNTING
2-3 0-0
0-4 0-1
SCORING TD
FGs
|-------------PATs -------------| Kick Rush Rcv Pass DXP
Saf
Pts
Andrew Burnette Clay Thevenin Drew Henderson Trey Kukuk Omiri Wiggins Total Opponents
6 9 15
27-29 39-41 25-25
0 0
48 48 45 30 30 332 256
8 8 5 5 44 30
0 1
1 2
1 2
0 0
TOTAL OFFENSE
GP
Plays
Rush
Pass
Total
Avg/G
Blake Baker Trey Kukuk Clay Thevenin Omiri Wiggins Andrew Burnette Total Opponents
8 10 12 12 12 12 12
228 165 122 97 79 782 826
260 488 605 468 458 2359 1705
1251 526 0 0 0 2015 2811
1511 1014 605 468 458 4374 4516
188.9 101.4 50.4 39.0 38.2 364.5 376.3
No.
Yards
Avg
Long
TB
FC
I20
50+
Blkd
John Hoyet Chance 58 Total 58 Opponents 56
2724 2724 2288
47.0 47.0 40.9
72 72 61
5 5 4
16 16 18
26 26 12
28 28 10
0 0 0
Net
YdLn
KICKOFFS
No.
Yards
Avg
TB
OB
John Hoyet Chance Drew Henderson Total Opponents
58 3 61 52
3786 162 3948 3170
65.3 54.0 64.7 61.0
53 1 54 22
0 1 1 3
Retn
Jakari Foster DEFENSIVE LEADERS
GP
Solo
Jacob Fields Mekhi Mason Jadon Mayfield Jakari Foster Sifa Leota Totals Opponents
12 12 12 12 12 12 12
50 29 15 23 16 342 368
Tackles Ast Total TFL-Yds 42 39 42 31 36 479 576
92 68 57 54 52 821 944
2.5-8 14.5-51 9.0-52 0.5-0 9.5-29 74-272 62-217
Sacks No-Yds
Pass Defense Int-Yds BU Qbh
Fumbles Rcv-Yds FF
Blkd Kick
Saf
0-0 3.5-26 3.5-34 0-0 2.0-13 19-134 20-123
3-123 0-0 0-0 7-63 1-5 20-308 9-98
0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 2-100 4-34
0 1 0 0 0 2 1
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
66
5 4 0 4 7 63 37
1 3 4 3 7 38 24
0 0 1 1 0 6 7
Meet the Bulldogs
64
40
6
5
JAKE ACKLIN
KALEB ANDRUS
TRE AVERHART
BLAKE BAKER
KENNETH BANNISTER
DANE BENEDIX
BRAYDEN BOCKLER
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
LINEBACKER
WIDE RECEIVER
QUARTERBACK
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
WIDE RECEIVER
TIGHT END
10
26
60
93
73
41
80
0
87
17
ROY BRACKINS III
JACOB BRADFORD
JACKSON BRADLEY
DYLONE BROOKS
EAN BURCH
ANDREW BURNETTE
AMARI BUTLER
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
QUARTERBACK
RUNNING BACK
LONG SNAPPER
RUNNING BACK
DEFENSIVE BACK
48
72
2
79
44
67
3
BRETT CANIS
KAMERON CARTER
JOHN HOYET CHANCE
HAYDEN CHRISTMAN
JOSHUA COBBS
ASHANTI COLE
KALEB COLEMAN
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
DEFENSIVE BACK
PUNTER
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
DEFENSIVE BACK
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
92
JACORYIAN CROWE
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
DEFENSIVE BACK
97
25
BRAYDEN CURRY
CHRISTIAN DAVIS
COLTON DECKARD
WIDE RECEIVER
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
LINEBACKER
58
68
39
CYLER CORN
31
John Hoyet Chance
76
LANE CONDRY
53
10
JONATHAN DENIS
AUSTIN ELLIS
KOLBE FIELDS
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
LINEBACKER
Meet the Bulldogs
84
0
6
4
1
25
89
ELI FINLEY
SAM FONGANG
JAKARI FOSTER
KAM FRANKLIN
DEVIN GANDY
AMANI GIVENS
CHASE GROSFELD
TIGHT END
DEFENSIVE BACK
DEFENSIVE BACK
DEFENSIVE BACK
WIDE RECEIVER
RUNNING BACK
WIDE RECEIVER
36
43
21
66
18
37
18 JAITLIN HAMPTON
ZANDER HAYES
DREW HENDERSON
ZHERIC HILL
WILL HUTCHENS
MARLION JACKSON
ZACHARY JACKSON
DEFENSIVE BACK
LINEBACKER
KICKER
LINEBACKER
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
WIDE RECEIVER
DEFENSIVE BACK
24
85
23
38
2
3
42
ALONZO JACKSON JR.
KAEGAN KENT
TREY KUKUK
DEDRICK LATULAS
SIFA LEOTA
JAVARI LOCKHART
AMEN MADISE
LINEBACKER
KICKER
QUARTERBACK
WIDE RECEIVER
LINEBACKER
DEFENSIVE BACK
WIDE RECEIVER
JAYDEN MADKINS
LEXINGTON MATTHEWS
JADON MAYFIELD
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
PUNTER
LINEBACKER
90
20
29
22
14
54
KENYATTA McNEESE
JORDAN McRAE
TOBY MEALER
DEFENSIVE BACK
DEFENSIVE BACK
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
11
46
JALEN MICKENS
DEVEN MUNIZ
ZION NASON
WIDE RECEIVER
TIGHT END
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
96 Trey Kukuk
69
Meet the Bulldogs
55
94
46
33
15
JOJO ODOM
EMMANUEL OGUNS
DAYLIN PAGE
JAYLON PARNELL
DAVID PIERRO
JORDAN PIERRO
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
LINEBACKER
WIDE RECEIVER
DEFENSIVE BACK
59
50
49
45
56
1
98
19
99
JAMES PREDTECHENKIS
ANDREW RICHARD
MICHAEL RICHARD
DONOVAN RIEMAN
JAKE RIGGS
TAZIO ROSSO
JUDD ROUYEA
LINEBACKER
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
DEFENSIVE BACK
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
LONG SNAPPER
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
82
91
36
61
57
52
4
LUKE SEIB
CALEB SIMS
RILEY SMALL
ERVIN SMITH
JADON SMITH
TROY SMITH III
CLAY THEVENIN
TIGHT END
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
RUNNING BACK
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
RUNNING BACK
Cedric Woods
70
88
27
95
JOHNNIE THIEL IV
KOLBY THOMAS
TREVELL VIVIANS
WIDE RECEIVER
WIDE RECEIVER
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
83
35
LUKE WATKINS
COLE WATSON
BRYSON WEATHERS
WIDE RECEIVER
LINEBACKER
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
78
19
47
11
MASON WELCH
JAY WILKERSON
CEDRIC WOODS
QUARTERBACK
WIDE RECEIVER
DEFENSIVE BACK
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Louisiana Tech Head Coach SONNY CUMBIE 4th Year as Louisiana Tech HC 4th Year Overall as HC Alma Mater: Texas Tech (2005) Hometown: Abilene, Texas Record at Louisiana Tech: 18-31 Record as College HC: 20-34
COACHING EXPERIENCE Texas Tech
Offensive Graduate Assistant (2009) Inside Receivers (2010-12) Co-OC / Outside Receivers (2013)
TCU
Co-OC / Quarterbacks (2014-16) Offensive Coordinator / QBs (2017-20)
Texas Tech
OC / QBs / Interim Head Coach (2021)
Louisiana Tech
Head Coach (2022 - Present)
Sonny Cumbie was introduced as the 34th head football coach in Louisiana Tech history on Dec. 1, 2021. In his third season in 2024, Cumbie led LA Tech back to postseason play for the first time since 2020, earning a berth in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl against nationally ranked Army. The Bulldogs finished 5-8 overall and 4-4 in CUSA, placing fifth in the league. Tech averaged 333.5 yards per game, ranking fourth in CUSA in passing offense and highlighted by a 329-yard, six-touchdown outing against Middle Tennessee. The Bulldogs averaged 110.0 rushing yards and posted seven 100-yard rushing games, including two over 200 yards. Defensively, Tech produced one of the nation’s top units in 2024. The Bulldogs ranked 11th nationally in total defense (301.9 ypg), first in CUSA, 23rd in pass defense (181.8) and 30th in run defense (120.1), also a league best. Their 20.5 points allowed per game ranked second in CUSA and tied for 25th nationally. Eight Bulldogs earned All-CUSA accolades, including first-team honorees David Blay (defensive line) and Tru Edwards (wide receiver). Quarterback Evan Bullock was named to the All-Freshman Team after starting the final 10 games. Blay earned Phil Steele All-America honorable mention, becoming the third All-American under Cumbie, joining Marquis Crosby (2022) and Michael Richard (2023). In 2023, Cumbie served as primary offensive play caller for a unit that ranked fifth in CUSA with 384.7 yards per game and third in first downs (243). The Bulldogs ranked among conference leaders in explosive pass plays — second in plays of 10+ and 20+ yards and third in plays of 30+. They topped 300 passing yards four times, including 419 against Sam Houston, and rushed for 100+ yards in seven games, highlighted by 357 against NSU. Ten Bulldogs earned All-CUSA honors in 2023. First-team selections included Smoke Harris (WR/PR), Blake Ochsendorf (P), and Willie Roberts (DB). Freshman defensive back Michael Richard was named CUSA Freshman of the Year and a First-Team Freshman All-American by The Athletic. In 2022, his first season, Cumbie guided Tech to a 3-2 home record, the first winning home mark by a first-year head coach at Tech since 2007. He earned his first victory on Sept. 10 with a 52-17 win over Stephen F. Austin, where Tech posted 516 total yards and 300 rushing yards.
72
Louisiana Tech Coaching Staff The Bulldogs earned CUSA wins over UTEP and Middle Tennessee and suffered two overtime losses during a 3-9 season in which four defeats came by 10 points or fewer. Fifteen Bulldogs received all-conference recognition, including firstteam selections Tre Harris (WR), Keivie Rose (DL), and Smoke Harris (WR/RS). Defensive back Myles Brooks earned second-team honors and later received an NFL Combine invite, while Tre Harris was a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist. Running back Marquis Crosby was named Honorable Mention Freshman All-American after rushing for 918 yards and nine touchdowns, ranking sixth nationally among FBS freshmen. Under Cumbie, Tech quarterbacks averaged 267.2 passing yards per game (32nd nationally), led by Parker McNeil’s 424-yard performance at North Texas, the most by a Bulldog since 2016. On the recruiting trail, Cumbie delivered the top-rated signing class in Conference USA in 2023. Tech’s 21-member class ranked fifth among Group of Five programs and 70th nationally, the highest in school history.
LOUISIANA TECH ASSISTANT COACHES
Offensive Coordinator/ Quarterbacks
TONY FRANKLIN
Defensive Coordinator
LUKE OLSON
CARLTON BUCKELS
SAM CARTER
JOSH CREECH
ISAIAH GRAHAM
LORENZO JOE
PAUL RANDOLPH
CBs/Defensive Pass Game Coordinator
Before arriving in Ruston, Cumbie spent 12 seasons as an assistant coach in the Big 12, holding roles at Texas Tech (2009-13, 2021) and TCU (2014-20). He served nine seasons as an offensive coordinator, working for Mike Leach, Tommy Tuberville, Kliff Kingsbury, and Gary Patterson. Cumbie came to Tech after serving as Texas Tech’s offensive coordinator in 2021 and interim head coach over the final four games. His first stint with the Red Raiders began in 2009 as a graduate assistant.
Safeties
Linebackers
Wide Receivers
At TCU, he served as quarterbacks coach and later as sole offensive play caller. The Horned Frogs went 58-30 during his tenure with six bowl appearances. In 2014, TCU posted the nation’s biggest offensive improvement, jumping 21.4 points per game from the previous season. That year the Frogs ranked No. 2 nationally in scoring (46.5) and No. 5 in total offense (533.0) while going 12-1. In 2015, TCU ranked No. 3 nationally in total offense (562.8) and No. 7 in scoring (42.1), finishing 11-2 after a memorable 31-point comeback win over Oregon in the Alamo Bowl. In 2017, his first season as sole play caller, TCU reached the Big 12 Championship Game, earned a top-10 ranking, and defeated Stanford in the Alamo Bowl. During his initial Texas Tech tenure, the Red Raiders passed for over 4,000 yards each year and averaged more than 35 points per game. His 2012 offense produced two 1,000-yard receivers, the program’s first such duo since 2007 (Michael Crabtree and Danny Amendola). In 2013, coaching two freshman quarterbacks, Tech still finished second in the FBS in passing (392 ypg) and eighth in total offense (511 ypg). He also recruited future NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes to Texas Tech. Cumbie’s offensive roots trace back to his playing days as Texas Tech’s starting quarterback in 2004. After walking on in 2000, he led the nation in passing yards (4,742) and total offense (4,575) as a senior, throwing 32 touchdowns. He guided the Red Raiders to a Holiday Bowl upset of No. 5 Cal, throwing for a bowl-record 520 yards and three scores. He earned honorable mention All-Big 12 and firstteam Academic All-Big 12 honors. He later played for the Los Angeles Avengers in the Arena Football League, earning AFL All-Rookie Team honors in 2006 and serving as a finalist for Rookie of the Year. He spent time with the Baltimore Ravens before returning to the AFL in 2007, leading the Avengers to their first playoff win while throwing 83 touchdowns. He also served as a head coach in the Indoor Football League in 2009 before joining Mike Leach’s Texas Tech staff. Cumbie and his wife, Tamra, are Snyder, Texas, natives and Texas Tech graduates. They have two sons, Grey and Hays.
73
Wide Receivers
Defensive Line
TEDDY VEAL Running Backs
DAN SHARP
Assistant HC/Special Teams/Tight Ends
NATHAN YOUNG Offensive Line
Louisiana Tech University DR. JIM HENDERSON PRESIDENT Louisiana Tech University
President Dr. Jim Henderson Dr. Jim Henderson became the 15th president of Louisiana Tech University on Jan. 1, 2024. His ties to the institution go back more than 80 years when his father, Clem Henderson, was recruited to play for famed Louisiana Tech football coach, Joe Aillet. His mom, Martha, was a two-time Tech grad. Henderson previously served as the president and CEO of the University of Louisiana System, one of the nation’s largest University systems. As the longest-serving UL System president, he led the Universities of Louisiana in the creation of a strategic framework that charged its member institutions to produce the most educated generation in Louisiana’s history. Through various Systemic initiatives such as Compete LA, the Reginald F. Lewis Scholars, and the challenges associated with a global pandemic and fiscal uncertainty, he developed a notion of System that will continue to benefit each of the nine institutions for decades to come.
Tenets of Tech The Division of Student Affairs at Louisiana Tech University has developed 12 guiding principles, or tenets, that exemplify the qualities that Tech students should possess upon graduating from this institution. It is expected that students will conduct themselves according to these tenets during their academic careers at Tech and, after graduating, continue to personify these tenets in their personal and professional lives. In essence, these tenets become more than ideas to be learned; they become a moral and an ethical compass with which to navigate through life. Nothing less will do for members of the Tech Family.
Henderson also served as president of his alma mater, Northwestern State University, where he reinvigorated student life and campus culture leading to the highest enrollment in the school’s 135-year history. Before taking the helm of NSU, Henderson served as chancellor of Bossier Parish Community College. During his tenure, the institution ranked among the five fastest-growing colleges in the nation for five consecutive years.
The Tenets of Tech are: Confidence (confisio) – A sense of self. Excellence (bonitas) – Appreciation for first-rate experiences. Commitment (commendo) – Accept responsibility as a citizen of the University. Knowledge (agnitio) – Understanding of ideas based on actual experiences. Integrity (integritas) – Ability to defend, evaluate, or question one’s own beliefs. Respect (adsurgo) – Acknowledgment of others’ beliefs through personal interactions. Leadership (ductus) – Guidance through service, involvement, and mentoring. Loyalty (fides) – Faithfulness to values, commitments, and responsibilities. Enthusiasm (studium) – Excitement for personal characteristics and future opportunities. Caring (affectus) – Affinity for beauty, performing arts, and human culture. Hope (spes) – Belief in future experiences and growth opportunities. Pride (spiritus) – A sense of self-respect.
In 2012, Henderson was named a Northwest Louisiana Business Hall of Fame Laureate and in 2017 he was inducted into Northwestern State University’s hall of honor, the Long Purple Line. Henderson holds a master of science in administration from University of West Florida and a doctor of management from University of Maryland—University College. In 2010, he completed the Institute of Educational Management at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Visitors of the Marine Corps University. The smartest decision Henderson has made is marrying his college sweetheart, Tonia who founded her own media company after a successful career in advertising. The Hendersons have three children, Reagan, Nicholas, and Alexander who is majoring in chemical engineering at Louisiana Tech; and four grandchildren, Zachary, Miguel, Maria, and Lucille.
Why Students Should Apply Louisiana Tech University combines affordability, strong academics, and a personal campus environment, making it an excellent choice for students. LA Tech is consistently ranked as one of the most affordable universities in Louisiana and the nation, providing great value for tuition costs. It is No. 1 in the state and No. 17 nationally among “Low Cost Colleges with High Starting Salaries for Graduates.” Graduates receive the highest starting median pay among Louisiana universities and benefit from a top-tier return on investment, with LA Tech ranked No. 1 in the state and 21st nationally for ROI.
History & About Louisiana Tech University Louisiana Tech University is a four-year selective Four-year selective admissions research university awarding bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Louisiana Tech University opened its doors in 1984 as the Industrial Institute and College of Louisiana. Four years later in 1898, the state constitution changed the school’s name to Louisiana Industrial Institute. In 1921, the college changed its name to Louisiana Polytechnic Institute to reflect its development as a larger institute of technology. Louisiana Polytechnic Institute became desegregated in the 1960s. It officially changed its name to Louisiana Tech University in 1970 as it satisfied the criteria of a research university.
LA Tech is nationally recognized for its programs in engineering, computer science, business, and cybersecurity. Students also benefit from a small-campus feel, developing close relationships with professors and peers for a more personalized learning experience. Additionally, the university has ranked in the top 25 nationally for graduating students with the least debt in four of the past five years.
The university sponsors 16 varsity NCAA D1 sports. Louisiana Tech is the only university in Conference USA on a quarter system and one of just seven FBS schools that are currently on the quarter system schedule. Louisiana Tech’s pedestrian-friendly campus centers around the Quad with its shady trees and the Lady of the Mist fountain. Ruston, a friendly southern town of approximately 22,000 is home to parks, lakes, and world-class mountain biking trails.
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Louisiana Tech Athletics RYAN IVEY VICE PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS Louisiana Tech Athletics
Ryan Ivey – Vice President & Director of Athletics Louisiana Tech President Dr. Jim Henderson introduced Ryan Ivey as Vice President and Director of Athletics at the Davison Athletics Complex.
Louisiana Tech Athletics Louisiana Tech, commonly referred to as LA Tech or the Bulldogs, fields 16 Division I athletic programs in Ruston. Since 2013, the university has competed in Conference USA, sponsoring seven men’s and nine women’s NCAA-sanctioned sports. Following the 2022–23 season, the Southland Bowling League, previously home to Tech’s nationally recognized women’s bowling program, merged into CUSA, bringing all LA Tech sports under one conference.
Ivey brings 18+ years of experience in intercollegiate athletics, including 11 years as an athletic director at Stephen F. Austin (SFA), Austin Peay, and Texas A&M-Commerce. At SFA, he guided a conference transition to the WAC, increased ticket sales by 189%, and raised private support through initiatives like the Purple Lights Fund, securing the largest gifts in department history. Ivey oversaw over $30 million in facility upgrades, including the Loddie Naymola Basketball Performance Center. Under his leadership, SFA celebrated 18 conference titles, three NCAA Tournament appearances, and a 2019 Bowling National Championship.
That alignment will soon change. On July 15, 2025, the university announced its intent to join the Sun Belt Conference, with competition set to begin no later than July 1, 2027. The move positions LA Tech in the league’s West Division, placing the Bulldogs alongside regional rivals and reducing travel demands across multiple sports.
At Austin Peay (2015-18), Ivey raised $6.5 million for facilities and operations while increasing football and basketball ticket revenue by 39%. On the field, men’s basketball reached the postseason twice, football tied a program record for wins in 2017, and volleyball won OVC titles.
Louisiana Tech carries a proud athletic history spanning decades. The football program rose to national prominence in the early 1970s under Hall of Fame coach Maxie Lambright, winning three consecutive NCAA Division II national championships in 1972, 1973 and 1974. Those titles helped establish a foundation that eventually elevated the program into the Division I ranks.
At Texas A&M-Commerce, Ivey’s leadership propelled the Lions to six Lone Star Conference titles, back-to-back winning football seasons, and record attendance. He secured $2.8 million for facilities, including a $1.4 million softball field for a first-year program. Ivey began his Louisiana career at McNeese, focusing on corporate sponsorships and revenue growth. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Memphis, where he was a football punter and holder for future NFL star Stephen Gostkowski.
The women’s basketball program, known nationally as the Lady Techsters, stands as one of the sport’s most storied. Under legendary coaches Leon Barmore and Sonja Hogg, the Lady Techsters became a national powerhouse. In 1981 and 1982, Tech captured back-toback NCAA championships, cementing its status among the premier programs in women’s college basketball. The Lady Techsters remain one of just a handful of teams with multiple NCAA titles.
Ivey and his wife Kelley have two sons, Jett and Ace.
The Bulldogs have eight on-campus athletic facilities: Origin Bank Field at Joe Aillet Stadium (football); the Thomas Assembly Center (men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball); the Jim Mize Track and Field Complex (men’s and women’s track and field); Robert Mack Caruthers Field (women’s soccer); Dr. Billy Bundrick Field (softball); J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park (baseball); the Lambright Bowling Alley (women’s bowling); and the LA Tech Tennis Complex (women’s tennis). The men’s golf team practices and competes at Squire Creek Country Club, located just outside Ruston. Ryan Ivey currently serves as the Vice President and Director of Athletics after being hired in February of 2024.
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Louisiana Tech Band & SPirit The Louisiana Tech band, also known as the Band of Pride, has multiple traditions. The BoP was founded in 1906 by H.D. Wilson. The BoP participates in hundreds of events throughout the academic year, including home football and basketball games, and other select events such as Mardi Gras parades, Christmas parades, on campus events and more. The Band of Pride has long been hailed as the catalyst for fan support of the Bulldogs football, basketball, and the Lady Techsters basketball team. The Band of Pride is one of the oldest and most cherished traditions on campus, combining rich history with unmatched energy and excitement. Members enjoy half the rehearsals but twice the fun, starting with the perk of beating the rush with early dorm move-in. The BoP kicks off game days with spirited pregame tailgate performances, bringing great music and shows to every football and basketball season. With no fundraising required, members can focus on building crazy BoP spirit, earning scholarships, and making lifelong memories. From day one, you gain 165 new friends—many in your major—before classes even begin. And, of course, they play Neck. The LA Tech spirit squad consist of the cheerleaders and the Regal Blues. The cheerleading squad is made of boys and girls, while the Regal Blues is an allfemale group. The LA Tech Regal Blues are experienced technically trained dancers who focus primarily on technique, performance, and maintaining physical fitness. A fullyear commitment is mandatory. Practices take place in the summer after tryouts in the springs, as well three to five practices during the school year to learn and perfect choreography. Over the summer, the entire Regal Blues team attends UDA College Dance Camp and a select veteran group attends ProAction Dance Intensive. During the school year, the Regal Blues represent the Bulldogs and Lady Techsters at numerous sporting events such as football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, and occasional soccer and volleyball games. In addition, we participate in pep rallies, additional athletic department events, and campus and community service activities during the year. The Regal Blues also compete at the UDA College Nationals in Orlando, Florida, in January.
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If you’ve been a part of the CUSA family for years, we’re proud to have you here. If you’re new to us, welcome. No matter when you got here, know this: You’re part of more than a college athletics conference. Every school, every town, every alum and fan is an essential part of who CUSA is today, and equally important in taking us to the next level. With unstoppable energy, there are no limits on us. So hop on, because we’re heading up.
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Independence Bowl Foundation Committee Chairs
ERIC BARKLEY
Past Chair Relations, VIP Services, Hotel Welcomes
KEITH BURTON Vice-Chairman
SARAH GIGLIO Chairwoman
KILE JOHNSON
PAM BECK
Transportation, Housing, Communication
JEFF BUTLER
DOUG BLAND
ROGER BRANIFF, SR.
ROGER BRANIFF, JR.
ED CATES
TAMMY CATES
JOE DARWIN
Officials ‘ Hospitality
North Hospitality Tents
DAVID CAMP
ART CARMODY IV Speaker’s Bureau
Game Management
TREY GIGLIO
TONI GOODIN
LAURA HARPER
JAMIE HILBURN
BAFB Team Tours, VIP Services
MEKKOS JONES
On-Field Promotions/ Script, Run-of-Show
PATRICK MEEHAN
MICHAEL MELERINE
JAYCE SIMPSON
HAYDEN SLACK
Finance, Public Events
ROLAND BERNARDEZ
Member Tailgate Party
High-Five Tunnel
Flyover/Honor Guard/ Trophy Escorts
Media Hospitality
TIM BECKIUS
Security, Traffic Flow
Special Events, Team Host
FCA Breakfast
Hospitality, Team Host
LOGAN LEWIS
Team Host
Kids Day Out
Coca-Cola Fan Fest
1st Vice-Chairman, Game Management
GREG LOTT
MELISSA MAINIERO
STAN POWELL
CLAIRE REBOUCHE
DARRELL REBOUCHE
CINDY SMITH
PHIL STEWART
Game Management, Signage, North Hospitality Tents
Pre-Game Huddle
Ladies Day Out
Club Level
Team Non-Profit Visits
Photography
Band Host, Battle of the Bands
PESKY HILL
Hospitality
LEE HOLMES
Bradley/Mikovich Awards
Public Events, Membership Development
VICTOR MAINIERO
PHYLLIS MASON
ROB RUBEL
BERT SCHMALE
Special Events, Non-Profit Visits, Welcome Party
Social Media
Personnel Review, Welcome Party
TIM WILHITE
TYLER WILLIAMS
2nd Vice-Chair, Hospitality, Nat. Strategy, Sponsor Golf
Videography
Player Hospitality
External Affairs & Marketing
Team Host
NOT PICTURED:
Derris Gardner................Player Hospitality, North Tents
Jenna Rambin..............................Independence Stadium
Dr. Michael Angelo.......................Member Tailgate Party
Vince Giglio....................................North Hospitality Tents
Abbey Rubel................................................. Ladies Day Out
Robb Brazzell.............................................................. Parking
Eric Harper............................................................. Team Host
Richard Sipes................................................................. Ushers
Simmie Brown................................. Security / Traffic Flow
Charles Hymes.............................Independence Stadium
Carla Stewart..........................................................Club Level
Moss Duvall........................................ Trophy Presentation
John McCorkle...................... Mardi Gras Preview Parade
Ashley Whittington................................................... Parking
Linda Effinger....................... Membership Development
Shirleen McCorkle............... Mardi Gras Preview Parade
Scott Wysong.........................External Affairs, Marketing
Dr. Tonya Mister.................................. Kids Welcome Party
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About the Independence Bowl Foundation THE INDEPENDENCE BOWL FOUNDATION
The Shreveport-Bossier City Sports Foundation took over the operations of the Independence Bowl in 1980, and since that time, the Independence Bowl has enjoyed steady growth and success. Now known as the Independence Bowl Foundation, this organization consists of more than 60 volunteer committees, which carry out all functions of the Foundation, drawing upon its more than 300 members. Also made up from the Foundation membership is a group of committees which put on the Independence Bowl. Each year, a newly appointed Bowl Chair and Vice-Chair, along with the Executive Director and her staff, oversee the various committees, working closely with each committee chairperson to see that this historic bowl is a success. As a member of the Independence Bowl Foundation, you are invited to social events during the year, like our annual Crawfish Boil, Fish N’ Football, and Big Game Welcome Party. In addition, you will receive a parking pass, and exclusive information and opportunities. Membership in the Independence Bowl Foundation is an investment in the present and of the 11th most historic bowl game in college football.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
The mission of the Independence Bowl Foundation is to help enhance the economic impact and growth of our community by attracting and providing quality, nationally recognized football competition. In 2023, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl provided just over $9 million in direct and indirect spending to the area, and when including overall exposure value, the overall economic impact of the Bowl was over $30 million.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
The Independence Bowl is more than just a one-day event, and despite all the fun and exciting events the Foundation puts on during the week leading up to the big game, the goal is to give back to our tremendous Shreveport-Bossier community 365 days a year. Whether it be the Kickoff Dinner, an annual event at the Shreveport Convention Center featuring guest speakers who are stars in the football world, or the free annual Youth Football Clinic for hundreds of kids, or new events like the High School Football Media Day, the Independence Bowl Foundation enjoys hosting events for the public year-round. The Independence Bowl Foundation enjoys being a part of the Shreveport-Bossier City community and giving back to the community that has supported the Bowl for almost 50 years.
WILLIS KNIGHTON HEALTH COMMUNITY SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP
EXTRA YARD FOR TEACHERS
A program in its 20th year, the Independence Bowl Foundation partners with Willis Knighton Health each year to present a scholarship to one graduating senior from Caddo Parish and one from Bossier Parish. The scholarships are awarded based not only on academic success, but also on a commitment to improving their community through service.
The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl has gone the extra yard to support teachers and education since 2021. In partnership with the College Football Playoff Foundation, the Bowl has donated over $113,000 to local teachers and schools in Northwest Louisiana since 2021.
The scholarship has been increased from $2,500 to $5,000 apiece this year, and the total amount of scholarships awarded will surpass $100,000 this year.
This year, the Independence Bowl donated $1,000 to local educator's projects on the Extra Yard for Teachers BIG DAY in September, but that is just the beginning! The bowl will honor 29 local teachers with $1,000 each at the 2025 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl in December 2025, all of whom were nominated by fans on the Independence Bowl's website.
To read about this year’s recipients, turn to page 120.
YOUTH FOOTBALL CLINIC
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL MEDIA DAY
The 14th annual Independence Bowl Youth Football Clinic hit the field on Saturday, June 7, 2025 at Independence Stadium! The annual clinic is FREE for boys and girls aged 5-13 (incoming 8th graders). All participants received a free meal from Whataburger and t-shirt after the event.
The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl hosted their inaugural High School Football Media Day, presented by Jimmy Granger Ford of Stonewall, on August 6, 2025 in the Club Level at Independence Stadium. The Media Day featured players and coaches from 30 high schools from nine Parishes across Northwest Louisiana, promoting their teams and upcoming seasons. Representatives from the Louisiana High School Athletic Association, Coaches Association and Officials Association were also featured speakers at the event.
In 2025, campers learned from players and coaches from Louisiana Tech, ULM, Northwestern State, Sam Houston State, Centenary and Southern University-Shreveport.
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Foundation Members Minuteman Club Michelle Cavanaugh Margaret Shehee
Ambassador
Steve Davison G. Archer Frierson, II Mike & Judy McCarthy Steve White
General
Brian Beavers Andrea Butler Melissa Couch David Dethloff Linda Effinger Robert Elder John Evans Tim Keeley Al LeGrand Ryan Lips Claire Rebouche Doug Rogers Bryan Roppolo Chris Shankle Richard Sipes Cynthia Smith Phil Stewart Greg Updyke Robert Westfall
Commander
Brian Ainsworth Jay Bowen Tony Catanese Laurel Chan Brian Crawford Tammy Daniels Justin Dewett Mark Dupee' Chris Elberson David Foret Alan Germany Brad Golladay Mike Harper Jesse Hildebrand Lee Holmes Mitch Houston Glenn Kinsey Kirk Lavigne Jeff Luce Renee McCuller Michael Melerine Michael Miller Toney Miller Patti Munn Brad Nichols Meghan Nolan Robert Pou Josh Powell Bert Schmale Darin Seal Trey Simon
Terry Slack Steven Stringer Thad & Rachel Thrash David Tinkis Robert VanHoy Stacy Waters Chris Winston Crystal Wooldridge
Advocate
Joe Arnold Cindy Aubrey Brad Bockhaus Michael Bolton Barry Busada Sandy Cimino Dianna Douglas Joel Fair Jill Folks Trey Giglio Vincent Giglio Jimmy Hale Chris & Bridget Hamm Elizabeth Hancock Jerry Hendrix Pesky Hill Rick Holland Randy Holmes Taylor Jamison Sarah Jones Ben Kacos
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Jeffrey Ledoux Greg Lott Jay Manno John & Lynne Manno Paul Merkle Marla Mitchell Denny Moton Mike & Susan Muse Joe Odom Tony Papa Keith Payne Barrow Peacock Darrell Rebouche Jonathan Reynolds Joel Robinson David Schoonover Sam Silverblatt Jayce Simpson Amy Sudduth Tracy Toups Nick Weaver
Member
Mike Aaron Gerald Adams Ed Adams Shelby Adams Scott Jerry Anderson Dr. Michael Angelo Ken Antee
Mayor Tom Arceneaux Willie Armstead Greg Atoms Frank Auer Bill Bailey Karen Baker Phil Barbaree Pam Beck Tim Beckius Roland Bernandez Walt Bigby Doug Bland Doug Bourgeois McKenzy Boyd Sandra Braddock Tim Brando Roger Braniff, Jr. Roger Braniff, Sr. Auburn Brasher Robb Brazzel Anthony Breaux Ashley Brint Randall Brown Stacy Brown Erica Bryant Alex Burke Keith Burton Lawrence Calhoun Cary Camp David Camp Arthur Carmody III Arthur Carmody IV
Member (cont.)
Charles Cavell Eugene (Lad) Cazedessus III Carney Chamberlain Mayor Tommy Chandler Sarah Chaudhari Mario C. Chavez Leanne Churchman Rodney Clements Darwyn Cooper Angela Costakis Heather Courtney Rory Covington Andrew Crawford Mark Crews Ann Crouch Gerald Daigle Ashli Dansby Joe Darwin Lindsay Dean Danielle Dowden Shane Dulany Kevin Duncan Glynn Duncan Denny Duron Sabrina Edwards Curtis Elkins Ret. Gen Jon Ellis Johnathan Emory Christopher W. FitzGerald Ken Flores Crystal Folsom Colin Fontenot Hardy Foreman Jarred Franklin John Frazier
Jana Freeman Forrest George Fritze Derris Gardner Sarah Giglio Toni Goodin Jimmy Gosslee Jimmy Granger Tobin Grigsby Otto Grozinger Greg Hanson Emily Harms Eric & Laura Harper Pat Harrington Micah Harrington Lance R. Hauth Daniel Hendricks Ashley Henning-Clark Jim & Sandi Hill Emerie Eck Holtzclaw Robin House Ike House Ben Israel Kristin Jackson Tabetha Jackson Randy James Lisa Janes Cate Jean Lisa Johnson Kile & Kristi Johnson Lyndon Johnson Lisa Johnson Fred Kent Patrick Kirton Lauren Knicely Jack Knotek Linda Koff Jerry Kutz
Gary Lash Logan Lewis Joe Littlejohn Dr. Tim Magner Victor & Melissa Mainiero Wade Marshall Margaret Martin Phyllis Mason Peyton Mayeaux Steve Mayfield Clint McCommon John McCorkle Shirleen McCorkle Dan McCuller Robert McGowen Kyle C. McInnis Robert McMillan Lola Mikovich Medlin Somer Miller Herb Miller LaTonya Mister John Moeller John Montelepre III John Montelepre, Jr. Michael Moore Gary Moore, Jr. Deanna Morse Josh Morvant Sara Nelms Kevin Nolten Grant Nuckolls Billy Nungesser Amy O'Callaghan Tom Ostendorf Mike Owens Boyd Parker Amber Patton
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Geoffrey Perego John Person Markey Pierre Charlie Pippen Mark Porter Dr. Donald Posner Stan Powell Marc Price Shelly Ragle Peter Ramsey Tammy Rhodes Joshua Robinson David Rockett Jason Romero Armand Roos Lane Rosen Rob Rubel Dominic Salinas Leslie Santure Chuck Sartori Paul Savage Carey Schimpf Linda Sell Ross & Missy Setters Andrew Shankle Joanne Sigler George Sirven Hayden Slack Miranda Small William Smith David & Carolyn Smith Paul Sutherland Meagan Thomas Mike Toland Robert Touchstone Clay Walker William Weaver
Lisa Wellborn Greg Whittington Mark Wilburn Keith Wilhite Tim Wilhite Marcus Williams Tyler Williams Marcus Wren Scott Wysong
Associate
Drew Baker Mark Bauer Keith Bergeron Ryan Burton Will Burton Eric Harper, Jr. Parnell Holt Chico Hull Ellington Joffrion Dr. Donna Johnson Mekkos Jones Hal Lancon Jonathan Little Peggy Mitchell Phelicia Neal Jeffrey Owen Jamie Ridge Heath Roberts Brian Settle Marti Settle Caleb Ward
Corporate Partners TITLE SPONSOR
Radiance Technologies
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF
City of Shreveport
Louisiana Economic Development
CHIEF OF STAFF
Caddo Parish Commission
Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana
Visit Shreveport Bossier / Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission
Morris & Dewett
Wilhite Electric
Willis-Knighton Sports Medicine
5-STAR GENERAL City of Bossier City
Coca-Cola
Connoisseur Media
Eagle Distributing
Greater Bossier Economic Development Foundation
MIKE & JUDY MCCARTHY KTAL/KMSS
Lamar
Lee Michael’s Fine Jewerly
Mike & Judy McCarthy
Module X Solutions
New Car Dealers Association
Origin Bank
Romph Pou Agency
The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate
Shreveport Convention Center
Tickets for Less
Townsquare Media
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Corporate Partners 4-STAR GENERAL AEP SWEPCO Carter Credit Union CF Biggs Company, Inc. Cintas Commercial Power Equipment Cubby Hole Louisiana FireTech Gregg Orr Companies/Orr BMW John & Lynne Manno KSM Marketing Agency KTBS/KPXJ Margaritaville Resort Casino Martin Specialty Coatings Media MPact Miracle 90.7 & 90.9 FM Morehead Pools Music Mountain Pizza Hut Porter's Fine Dry Cleaning Sam's Town Shreveport Rubber & Gasket Co. Squire Creek Country Club Whataburger Wieland
3-STAR GENERAL 2 John's Steak & Seafood Ace Digital Air Force Sergeant Association Amanda & Kirk Lavigne B1 Bank Barksdale Federal Credit Union Bistro To Go Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Bonvenue Bank Bossier Chamber of Commerce Bossier Press Tribune Calumet Chase Bank Community Bank of Louisiana Conterra Networks Cuban Liquor/Jacquelyn's/Rhino Coffee Delta Utilities Dethloff Insurance Diesel Driving Academy Dillas Quesadillas Down Home Meats East Ridge Country Club Fleaux Services Flying Heart Brewing & Pub Golf Carts of Louisiana Goodwill Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce Hamm Mechanical Hargrove Roofing Harrison Paint Heard, McElroy & Vestal Hilton Shreveport Honeybaked Ham Company Innovative Office Systems Jean Simpson Johnny's Catfish & Seafood KASO/KBEF KGAS Radio
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Kilpatrick Rose-Neath Funeral Home KMHT Radio Krewe of Gemini Louisiana Smokehouse Miracle 90.7/90.9 FM Otto Grozinger/NY Life Pelican Tent Rentals Performance Foods Pork & Fork Progressive Bank Raymond James Residence Inn Shreveport-Bossier Roppolo's Insulation Shaver's Crawfish & Catering Shreveport Dental Solutions Signs at Work Sonic Sports World SportsCards Louisiana Superior Grill Texas Roadhouse The Payne Company Thrifty Liquor Tony Chachere's Trinity Operating Corporation UL Coleman Universal Plumbing VIP Travel Walk Ons Sports Bistreaux William Robinson Foundation Xfinity
Corporate Partners 2-STAR GENERAL 1st Choice Personnel Archem, LLC Bernard Insurance D1 Sports Training Fairfield Studios First Security Title of Monroe Fleming Subway Flying B Rental Glass Services iShuttle JD Mechanical Equipment Johnny's Pizza Lilah's Bakery
1-STAR GENERAL
Looosiana Bistreaux Lusk Eye Specialists MersaTech Osborne Funeral Home P2i Real Estate Ranchland Uniforms Reddy Ice Distributing Regions Bank Savage Creative/ShreveportsSecrets.com SOMDAL Associates SportsTalk 97.7 The Remington Suites The Think Network The Golf Club at Stonebridge/Olde Oaks GC
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Campus Federal Credit Union Equipment Share Fred Kent Harrington House Law Offices of Jarred Franklin Linda Sell, CPA Southern Research
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Carl Mikovich Sportsperson of the Year 2025 RECIPIENT: LSU SHREVEPORT PILOTS BASEBALL The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl annually awards the Carl Mikovich Sportsperson of the Year Award to some of the greatest athletes and sports figures from the local area who shine a light on Shreveport-Bossier City through their contributions on and off the field, and the 2025 recipients of the award exemplify the very spirit of the award – the LSU Shreveport baseball team.
Photo: LSU Shreveport Athletics
"Our program is extremely honored to receive yet another award for our amazing success this past year. Being named the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl's Carl Mikovich Sportsperson of the Year as a team is an unbelievable honor that we are extremely grateful for," said Pilots Head Coach Brad Neffendorf. "We had a special group of players, coaches, and staff, but the support within our University and the City of Shreveport was second to none.”
“I’m excited and thankful for our baseball team to receive this recognition," said LSUS Athletics Director Lucas Morgan. "There have been some incredible recipients of this award historically, so for us to be recognized with this is a great honor. Thank you to the committee for selecting us.” The Pilots became the first team in college baseball history to finish undefeated, as they were crowned champions at the 2025 Avista NAIA Baseball World Series with a perfect 59-0 record on the season. LSUS Baseball posted a 47-0 regular season record – including 30-0 in Red River Athletic Conference (RRCA) play – and swept through postseason play to complete the perfect season. Their 59-game win streak, which has a chance to be extended at the start of the 2026 season, is the longest in college baseball history. "Our Awards Committee quickly came to a unanimous decision when they met to honor the LSUS Baseball team with the Carl Mikovich Sportsperson of the Year," said Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Executive Director Missy Setters. "Their historic season and accomplishments became a tremendous national story, and we are so proud of the way the team shone a bright light on our community, which is what this award is all about." The accolades and awards have been rolling in for the student-athletes, coaches and team as a whole. The Pilots finished No. 1 in the final NAIA Baseball Coaches' Poll, and they were ranked No. 1 in every NAIA Top 25 Poll from start to finish. Seven student-athletes were named First Team All-RRAC, three were named Second-Team All-RRAC and five were named NAIA All-Americans. Six Pilots were also RRAC Gold Glove selections, and shortstop Jose Sallorin earned the 2025 ABCA-Rawlings NAIA Gold Glove Award. Right-handed pitcher Isaac Rohde was named the 2025 ABCA/Rawlings NAIA Pitcher of the Year, and nine student-athletes were named to the Louisiana Sports Writers Association (LSWA) All-Louisiana teams. Neffendorf has collected nine individual awards to date, as he has been named the ABCA/ATEC National Coach of the Year, College Baseball Foundation Skip Bertman Coach of the Year, Allstate Sugar Bowl Collegiate Coach of the Year, Perfect Game Collegiate National Coach of the Year, ABCA/ATEC Regional Coach of the Year, NAIA Ball National Coach of the Year, RRAC Coach of the Year, Louisiana Sports Writers Association Coach of the Year and Rawlings-NAIA Coach of the Year. Statistically, the Pilots put on a clinic this season. They limited opponents to a .192 batting average Photo: LSU Shreveport Athletics and recorded a .982 fielding percentage – both national records. Offensively, they notched two program records by posting a .493 on-base percentage, which ranked second in the nation, and a .601 slugging percentage, which ranked fifth. They also broke program records for runs scored (665), RBI (614) and walks (388).
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LIST OF RECIPIENTS 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2018 2019 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Hal Sutton Freddie Spencer John Franks Mike McCarthy George Dement Ken Hanna Taylor Moore Chick Childress Orvis Sigler Dr. Billy Bundrick Tim Brando Hazel Beard Terry Slack Red Franklin David Toms Todd Walker Joby O’Gwynn Bob Griffin Meredith Duncan Arnez Battle Alana Beard Brock Berlin Albert Crews Scott Baker B.J. Ryan Herman Vital Matt Brown Dr. Kyle Pierce Kendrick Farris Morris Claiborne Sam Burns Phillip Barbaree, Jr. Ryan Harrison Dak Prescott Joe Delaney Mikaylah Williams Hayden Travinski Seth Lugo LSU Shreveport Pilots Baseball
National Championship-Winning Coaches Many of greatest coaches in the history of college football have walked the sidelines of Independence Stadium – including seven who have won National Championships. Below are the former Independence Bowl coaches who have one National Championships:
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Hall of Famers Some of football’s best players and coaches have participated in the Independence Bowl during it’s first 48 years, including the 28 College Football Hall of Famers and six Pro Football Hall of Famers listed below. Nick Saban (Michigan State, 1995 and Alabama, 2007) and Terrence Metcalf (Ole Miss, 1999) are the latest editions to the College Football Hall of Fame as members of the Class of 2025.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAMERS player/coach
Don James George Welsh Pat Dye Chad Hennings Bruce Smith Ray Childress Fisher DeBerry Jimmy Johnson Art Monk R.C. Slocum Scott Thomas Willie Roaf Leondard Smith Wesley Walls Tim Krumrie Danny Ford Steve Spurrier Frank Beamer Mack Brown Bob Stoops Kevin Faulk Gary Pinkel Roy Williams Mark Richt Paul Johnson Frank Solich Terrence Metcalf Nick Saban
I-Bowl team
Washington Virginia East Carolina Air Force Virginia Tech Texas A&M Air Force Oklahoma State Syracuse Texas A&M Air Force Louisiana Tech McNeese State Ole Miss Wisconsin Clemson South Carolina Virginia Tech Tulane Oklahoma LSU Missouri Oklahoma Georgia Georgia Tech Nebraska, Ohio Ole Miss Michigan State, Alabama
position
Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach Defensive Tackle Defensive End Defensive Tackle Head Coach Head Coach Wide Receiver Head Coach Safety Offensive Tackle Cornerback Tight End Defensive Tackle Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach Running Back Head Coach Safety Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach Offensive Line Head Coach
inducted 1997 2004 2005 2005 2006 2010 2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2014 2014 2014 2016 2017 2017 2018 2018 2021 2022 2022 2022 2023 2023 2024 2025 2025
i-bowl year
1987 1994 1978 1984 1984 1981 1984 1981 1979 2000 1983, 1984 1990 1980 1986 1982 1985 2005, 2014 1993, 2015 1987 1999 1995, 1997 2003, 2005, 2011 1999 2009 2010 2002, 2012 1999 1995, 2007
PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAMERS player/coach
Bruce Smith Willie Roaf Art Monk Brett Favre Jimmy Johnson Alan Faneca
Position
Defensive End Offensive Tackle Wide Receiver Quarterback Head Coach Offensive Guard
Pro Teams
BUF, WAS NO, KC WAS, NYJ, PHI ATL, GB, NYJ, MIN DAL, MIA PIT, NYJ, ARI
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Inducted 2008 2009 2012 2016 2020 2021
I-Bowl team
Virginia Tech Louisiana Tech Syracuse Southern Miss Oklahoma State LSU
i-bowl year 1984 1990 1979 1988 1981 1995, 1997
ESPN Broadcast Team CLAY MATVICK
Play-By-Play
Clay Matvick has been calling events for ABC and ESPN platforms since 2006. In recent years, he’s called a number of games across college sports, including football, basketball, baseball, hockey and softball, as well as the Little League World Series. Prior to ESPN, Matvick was a sports anchor and play-by-play announcer for FSN-North in Minneapolis. Before that he was a studio anchor for CNN Sports in Atlanta. From 1990-99, he worked in Minnesota, South Dakota and Nebraska as a sports anchor and reporter at various stations. Matvick has won multiple regional Emmys for his play-by-play of the Minnesota High School Hockey Tournament in his home state. Matvick graduated from St. Cloud State University in 1996 with a degree in mass communications.
CHASE DANIEL
Color Analyst Chase Daniel joined ESPN in 2025 as a college football and NFL analyst. A 14-year NFL quarterback and collegiate All-American, he calls college football games and will serve as an offseason commentator on ESPN’s NFL studio programming.
The 2025 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl will be broadcast on ESPN and has averaged 2.17 million viewers the past seven years. It is the 49th playing of the bowl, and it will be the 33rd consecutive Independence Bowl televised on an ESPN network. 1992 was the first Independence Bowl televised on ESPN. Wake Forest defeated Oregon, 39-35.
A standout at the University of Missouri, Daniel led the Tigers to back-toback Big 12 Championship games and was a 2007 Heisman Trophy finalist. At Mizzou, he earned second team All-America honors, was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2007 and finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting after throwing for 4,306 yards and 33 touchdowns. He also set Missouri’s all-time total-yards mark, amassing more than 12,500 passing yards with 101 touchdowns.
Daniel played for seven NFL franchises, including the Super Bowl XLIV champion New Orleans Saints and was a NFL Players Association representative. Daniel began his broadcasting career as active player, making history by appearing on NFL Network’s NFL Gameday Final immediately after playing in a Monday Night Football game. Daniel co-hosted The Facility on FS1 and contributed to NFL Network. He runs a successful YouTube channel focused on quarterback analysis while also co-hosting The Athletic’s Scoop City NFL podcast with Dianna Russini. A Missouri Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Daniel lives in San Diego with his family. He serves on the board of Pro Athletes Outreach.
HARRY LYLES JR.
Sideline Reporter Harry Lyles Jr. joined ESPN in March of 2020, serving as both a staff writer for ESPN.com, a host/commentator across ESPN studio and digital programming, and a sideline reporter for ESPN college sports. For ESPN.com, Lyles Jr. reports on college football and the intersection of culture and college sports. Lyles Jr. is the longtime co-host of Countdown to GameDay on all ESPN digital platforms. The show, airing Saturdays throughout the fall and winter, serves as the pregame coverage to College GameDay Built by The Home Depot. He is a mainstay on all ESPN digital programming across the ESPN App, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and more. Additionally, he is the sideline reporter for ESPN Thursday Night Football with play-by-play commentator Matt Barrie and analyst Dan Mullen. Lyles Jr. appears regularly on Around The Horn, SportsCenter and more. Prior to his time at ESPN, Lyles Jr. spent four years at SB Nation as a reporter and columnist, with additional stops at various outlets including The Comeback. A proud Georgia State alum, he resides in his hometown of Atlanta, Ga.
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Year-by-Year Results DATE/CHAIRMAN
TEAMS
SCORE
POST-BOWL RECORD
ATTENDANCE
Dec. 13, 1976 McNeese State 20 9-2 19,164 Lee Bryant Tulsa 16 7-4-1 Dec. 17, 1977 Louisiana Tech 24 9-1-2 22,223 Ed Powell Louisville 14 7-4-1 Dec. 16, 1978 East Carolina 35 9-3 31,054 Bill Brandon Louisiana Tech 13 6-5 Dec. 15, 1979 Syracuse 31 7-5 27,234 Skippy Shirley McNeese State 7 11-1 Dec. 13, 1980 Southern Miss 16 9-3 42,600 Milton Chapman McNeese State 14 10-1 Dec. 12, 1981 Texas A&M 33 7-5 48,600 Milton Chapman Oklahoma State 16 7-5 Dec. 11, 1982 Wisconsin 14 7-5 46,244 Ken Hanna Kansas State 3 6-5 Dec. 10, 1983 Air Force 9 10-2 41,274 Tracy Jackson Ole Miss 3 7-5 Dec. 15, 1984 Air Force 23 8-4 45,034 Cecil Lloyd Virginia Tech 7 8-4 Dec. 21, 1985 Minnesota 20 7-5 42,845 Cecil Lloyd Clemson 13 6-6 Dec. 20, 1986 Ole Miss 20 8-3-1 46,369 Jim Thompson Texas Tech 17 7-5 Dec. 19, 1987 Washington 24 7-4-1 44,683 Smokey Hyde Tulane 12 6-6 Dec. 23, 1988 Southern Miss 38 10-2 20,242 Mike Collier UTEP 18 10-3 Dec. 16, 1989 Oregon 27 8-4 44,621 John Frazier Tulsa 24 6-6 Dec. 15, 1990 Louisiana Tech 34 8-3-1 48,325 Brant Goyne Maryland 34 6-5-1 Dec. 29, 1991 Georgia 24 9-3 46,932 Orvis Sigler Arkansas 15 6-6 Dec. 31, 1992 Wake Forest 39 8-4 31,337 Orvis Sigler Oregon 35 6-6 Dec. 31, 1993 Virginia Tech 45 9-3 33,819 Mike McCarthy Indiana 20 8-4 Dec. 28, 1994 Virginia 20 9-3 36,192 Bob Brown TCU 10 7-5 Dec. 29, 1995 LSU 45 7-4-1 48,835 Carl Mikovich Michigan State 26 6-5-1 Dec. 31, 1996 Auburn 32 8-4 41,366 Rick Holland Army 29 10-2 Dec. 28, 1997 LSU 27 9-3 50,459 Ken Antee Notre Dame 9 7-6 Dec. 31, 1998 Ole Miss 35 7-5 46,862 Richard Caldwell Texas Tech 18 7-5 Dec. 31, 1999 Ole Miss 27 8-4 49,873 Sandy Cimino Oklahoma 25 7-5 Dec. 31, 2000 Mississippi State 43 8-4 36,974 Pesky Hill Texas A&M 41 7-5 Dec. 27, 2001 Alabama 14 7-5 45,627 Lindy Broderick Iowa State 13 7-5 Dec. 27, 2002 Ole Miss 27 7-6 46,096 Randy James Nebraska 23 7-7 Dec. 31, 2003 Arkansas 27 9-4 49,625 Don Jagot Missouri 14 8-5 Dec. 28, 2004 Iowa State 17 7-5 43,076 Jack Lee Miami (OH) 13 8-5
100
PLAYERS OF THE GAME (O) Terry McFarland, McNeese State (D) Terry Clark, Tulsa (O) Keith Thibodeaux, Louisiana Tech (D) Otis Wilson, Louisville (O) Theodore Sutton, East Carolina (D) Zack Valentine, East Carolina (O) Joe Morris, Syracuse (D) Clay Carroll, McNeese State (O) Stephen Starring, McNeese State (D) Jerald Baylis, Southern Miss (O) Gary Kubiak, Texas A&M (D) Mike Green, Oklahoma State (O) Randy Wright, Wisconsin (D) Tim Krumrie, Wisconsin (O) Marty Louthan, Air Force (D) Andre Townsend, Ole Miss (O) Bart Weiss, Air Force (D) Scott Thomas, Air Force (O) Rickey Foggie, Minnesota (D) Bruce Holmes, Minnesota (O) Mark Young, Ole Miss (D) James Mosley, Texas Tech (O) Chris Chandler, Washington (D) David Rill, Washington (O&D) James Henry, Southern Miss (O) Bill Musgrave, Oregon (D) Chris Oldham, Oregon (O) Michael Richardson, Louisiana Tech (D) Lorenza Baker, Louisiana Tech (O) Andre Hastings, Georgia (D) Torrey Evans, Georgia (O) Todd Dixon, Wake Forest (D) Herman O’Berry, Oregon (O) Maurice DeShazo, Virginia Tech (D) Antonio Banks, Virginia Tech (O) Mike Groh, Virginia (D) Mike Frederick, Virginia (O) Kevin Faulk, LSU (D) Gabe Northern, LSU (O) Dameyune Craig, Auburn (D) Takeo Spikes, Auburn (D) Ricky Neal, Auburn (O) Rondell Mealey, LSU (D) Arnold Miller, LSU (O) Romaro Miller, Ole Miss (D) Kendrick Clancy, Ole Miss (O) Josh Huepel, Oklahoma (D) Tim Strickland, Ole Miss (O) Ja’Mar Toombs, Texas A&M (D) Willie Blade, Mississippi State (O) Seneca Wallace, Iowa State (D) Matt Word, Iowa State (D) Waine Bacon, Alabama (O) Eli Manning, Ole Miss (D) Chris Kelsay, Nebraska (O) Cedric Cobbs, Arkansas (D) Caleb Miller, Arkansas (O) Bret Meyer, Iowa State (D) Nik Moser, Iowa State
Year-by-Year Results DATE/CHAIRMAN
TEAMS
SCORE
POST-BOWL RECORD
ATTENDANCE
Dec. 30, 2005 Missouri 38 7-5 41,332 David Nichols South Carolina 31 7-5 Dec. 28, 2006 Oklahoma State 34 7-6 45,054 Markey Pierre Alabama 31 6-7 Dec. 30, 2007 Alabama 30 7-6 47,043 Joe Darwin Colorado 24 6-7 Dec. 28, 2008 Louisiana Tech 17 8-5 41,567 Keith Bergeron Northern Illinois 10 6-7 Dec. 28, 2009 Georgia 44 8-5 49,653 Toni Goodin Texas A&M 20 6-7 Dec. 27, 2010 Air Force 14 9-4 39,362 Jim Hagan Georgia Tech 7 6-7 Dec. 26, 2011 Missouri 41 8-5 41,728 Fred Sexton Jr. North Carolina 24 7-6 Dec. 28, 2012 Ohio 45 9-4 41,853 Jack Andres ULM 14 8-5 Dec. 31, 2013 Arizona 42 8-5 36,917 John Hubbard Boston College 19 7-6 Dec. 27, 2014 South Carolina 24 7-6 38,242 Paul Pratt Miami 21 6-7 Dec. 26, 2015 Virginia Tech 55 7-6 31,289 Kyle McInnis Tulsa 52 6-7 Dec. 26, 2016 NC State 41 7-6 28,995 Eric Barkley Vanderbilt 17 6-7 Dec. 27, 2017 Florida State 42 7-6 33,601 Darin Seal Southern Miss 13 8-5 Dec. 27, 2018 Duke 56 8-5 27,492 Trey Giglio Temple 27 8-5 Dec. 26, 2019 Louisiana Tech 14 10-3 33,129 Art Carmody IV Miami 0 6-7 Dec. 18, 2021 UAB 31 9-4 26,276 Frank Auer BYU 28 10-3 Dec. 23, 2022 Houston 23 8-5 23,410 Rob Rubel Louisiana 16 6-7 Dec. 16, 2023 Texas Tech 34 7-6 33,071 Bryan Roppolo California 14 6-7 Dec. 28, 2024 Army West Point 27 12-2 34,283 Claire Rebouche Louisiana Tech 6 5-8
Trond Grizzell (California, 2023)
PLAYERS OF THE GAME (O) Brad Smith, Missouri (D) Marcus King, Missouri (O) Dantrell Savage, Oklahoma State (D) Jeremy Nethon, Oklahoma State (O) John Parker Wilson, Alabama (D) Wallace Gilberry, Alabama (O) Phillip Livas. Louisiana Tech (D) Weldon Brown, Louisiana Tech (O) Aron White, Georgia (D) Geno Atkins, Georgia (O) Jared Tew, Air Force (D) Rick Ricketts, Air Force (O) James Franklin, Missouri (D) Andrew Wilson, Missouri (O) Beau Blankenship, Ohio (O) Tyler Tettleton, Ohio (D) Keith Moore, Ohio (O) B.J. Denker, Arizona (D) William Parks, Arizona (O) Pharoh Cooper, South Carolina (D) Skai Moore, South Carolina (O) Isaiah Ford, Virginia Tech (D) Jeremy Brady, Tulsa (O) Jaylen Samuels, NC State (D) Airius Moore, NC State (O) James Blackman, Florida State (D) Nate Andrews, Florida State (O) Daniel Jones, Duke (D) Delvon Randall, Temple (O) Justin Henderson, Louisiana Tech (D) Connor Taylor, Louisiana Tech (O) Tyler Allgeier, BYU (D) Tyler Batty, BYU (O) Clayton Tune, Houston (D) Art Green, Houston (O) Behren Morton, Texas Tech (D) Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech (O) Bryson Daily, Army (D) Kalib Fortner, Army
Army vs. Louisiana Tech (2024)
101
Players of the Game OFFENSE YEAR
PLAYER
SCHOOL
POS.
1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Terry McFarland Keith Thibodeaux Theodore Sutton Joe Morris Stephen Starring Gary Kubiak Randy Wright Marty Louthan Bart Weiss Rickey Foggie Mark Young Chris Chandler James Henry Bill Musgrave Michael Richardson Andre Hastings Todd Dixon Maurice DeShazo Mike Groh Kevin Faulk Dameyune Craig Rondell Mealey Romaro Miller Josh Huepel Ja’Mar Toombs Seneca Wallace Eli Manning Cedric Cobbs Bret Meyer Brad Smith Dantrell Savage John Parker Wilson Phillip Livas Aron White Jared Tew James Franklin Beau Blankenship Tyler Tettleton B.J. Denker Pharoh Cooper Isaiah Ford Jaylen Samuels James Blackman Daniel Jones Justin Henderson Tyler Allgeier Clayton Tune Behren Morton Bryson Daily
McNeese State Louisiana Tech East Carolina Syracuse McNeese State Texas A&M Wisconsin Air Force Air Force Minnesota Ole Miss Washington Southern Miss Oregon Louisiana Tech Georgia Wake Forest Virginia Tech Virginia LSU Auburn LSU Ole Miss Oklahoma Texas A&M Iowa State Ole Miss Arkansas Iowa State Missouri Oklahoma State Alabama Louisiana Tech Georgia Air Force Missouri Ohio Ohio Arizona South Carolina Virginia Tech NC State Florida State Duke Louisiana Tech BYU Houston Texas Tech Army West Point
QB QB FB RB QB QB QB QB QB QB QB QB PR QB RB FL WR QB QB RB QB RB QB QB RB QB QB TB QB QB RB QB WR TE RB QB RB QB QB WR WR TE QB QB RB RB QB QB QB
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2021 2022 2023 2024
Kalib Fortner (Army West Point, 2024)
DEFENSE YEAR
PLAYER
SCHOOL
POS.
1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
Terry Clark Otis Wilson Zack Valentine Clay Carroll Jearld Baylis Mike Green Tim Krumrie Andre Townsend Scott Thomas Bruce Holmes James Mosley David Rill James Henry Chris Oldham Lorenza Baker Torrey Evans Herman O’Berry Antonio Banks Mike Frederick Gabe Northern Takeo Spikes Ricky Neal Arnold Miller Kendrick Clancy Tim Strickland Willie Blade Matt Word Waine Bacon Chris Kelsay Caleb Miller Nik Moser Marcus King Jeremy Nethon Wallace Gilberry Weldon Brown Geno Atkins Rick Ricketts Andrew Wilson Keith Moore William Parks Skai Moore Jeremy Brady Airius Moore Nate Andrews Delvon Randall Connor Taylor Tyler Batty Art Green Jacob Rodriguez Kalib Fortner
Tulsa Louisville East Carolina McNeese State Southern Miss Oklahoma State Wisconsin Ole Miss Air Force Minnesota Texas Tech Washington Southern Miss Oregon Louisiana Tech Georgia Oregon Virginia Tech Virginia LSU Auburn Auburn LSU Ole Miss Ole Miss Mississippi State Iowa State Alabama Nebraska Arkansas Iowa State Missouri Oklahoma State Alabama Louisiana Tech Georgia Air Force Missouri Ohio Arizona South Carolina Tulsa NC State Florida State Temple Louisiana Tech BYU Houston Texas Tech Army West Point
CB LB DE DT NG LB NG DT S LB DE LB DB DB LB LB CB S DE DE LB LB DL DL CB DT LB SS LB ILB DB CB LB DE DB DT DE LB LB S LB S LB S S LB DE CB LB LB
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2021 2022 2023 2024
Bryson Daily (Army West Point, 2024)
102
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Coaching & Conference Records COACH
SCHOOL
Steve Addazio Boston College Frank Beamer Virginia Tech Todd Berry ULM Terry Bowden Auburn Billy Brewer Ole Miss Rich Brooks Oregon Mack Brown Tulane Troy Calhoun Air Force Bill Clark UAB Bobby Collins Southern Miss Jack Crowe Arkansas Sonny Cumbie Louisiana Tech David Cutcliffe Ole Miss/Duke Bob Davie Notre Dame Fisher DeBerry Air Force Michael Desormeaux Louisiana Manny Diaz Miami Jim Dickey Kansas State Gerry DiNardo Louisiana State Dave Doeren NC State Jack Doland McNeese State Bill Dooley Va. Tech/Wake Forest Derek Dooley Louisiana Tech F.A. Dry Tulsa Ernie Duplechin McNeese State Pat Dye East Carolina Spike Dykes Texas Tech Ed Foley Temple Danny Ford Clemson Dennis Franchione Alabama Vince Gibson Louisville Ray Goff Georgia Al Golden Miami Mike Gundy Oklahoma State John Gutekunst Minnesota Odell Haggins Florida State Curley Hallman Southern Miss Ken Hatfield Air Force Dan Hawkins Colorado Terry Hoeppner Miami (OH) Dana Holgorsen Houston Skip Holtz Louisiana Tech Jay Hopson Southern Miss Don James Washington Jimmy Johnson Oklahoma State Paul Johnson Georgia Tech Jerry Kill Northern Illinois Joe Kines Alabama Joe Krivak Maryland Maxie Lambright Louisiana Tech Bill Mallory Indiana Derek Mason Vanderbilt Dan McCarney Iowa State Dave McClain Wisconsin Joey McGuire Texas Tech Jeff Monken Army West Point Philip Montgomery Tulsa Houston Nutt Arkansas J.R. Peace Louisiana Tech Gary Pinkel Missouri Dave Rader Tulsa Mark Richt Georgia Rich Rodriguez Arizona Nick Saban Michigan St./Alabama Mike Sherman Texas A&M Jackie Sherrill Mississippi State Kalani Sitake BYU R.C. Slocum Texas A&M Frank Solich Nebraska/Ohio Steve Spurrier South Carolina Bob Stoops Oklahoma Bob Stull UTEP Pat Sullivan TCU Bob Sutton Army George Welsh Virginia Justin Wilcox California Tom Wilson Texas A&M Everett Withers North Carolina
YEARS
2013 1993, 2015 2012 1996 1983, 1986 1989, 1992 1987 2010 2021 1980 1991 2024 ‘98, ‘99, ‘02/’18 1997 1984 2022 2019 1982 1995, 1997 2016 1976 1984/1992 2008 1976 1979, 1980 1978 1986, 1998 2018 1985 2001 1977 1991 2014 2006 1985 2017 1988 1983 2007 2004 2022 2019 2017 1987 1981 2010 2008 2006 1990 1977, 1978 1993 2016 2001, 2004 1982 2023 2024 2015 2003 1990 ‘03, ‘05, ‘11 1989 2009 2013 1995/2007 2009 2000 2021 2000 2002/2012 2005, 2014 1999 1988 1994 1996 1994 2023 1981 2011
REC.
0-1 2-0 0-1 1-0 1-1 1-1 0-1 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-1 0-1 4-0 0-1 1-0 0-1 0-1 0-1 2-0 1-0 1-0 1-1 1-0 0-1 0-2 1-0 0-2 0-1 0-1 1-0 0-1 1-0 0-1 1-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-1 0-1 1-0 1-0 0-1 1-0 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-0-1 1-1 0-1 0-1 1-1 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-1 1-0 0-0-1 2-1 0-1 1-0 1-0 1-1 0-1 1-0 0-1 0-1 1-1 1-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 1-0 0-1 1-0 0-1
PCT.
.000 1.000 .000 1.000 .500 .500 .000 1.000 1.000 1.000 .000 .000 1.000 .000 1.000 .000 .000 .000 1.000 1.000 1.000 .500 1.000 .000 .000 1.000 .000 .000 .000 1.000 .000 1.000 .000 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 .000 .000 1.000 1.000 .000 1.000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .500 .500 .000 .000 .500 1.000 1.000 1.000 .000 1.000 .500 .667 .000 1.000 1.000 .500 .000 1.000 .000 .000 .500 .500 .000 .000 .000 .000 1.000 .000 1.000 .000
CONFERENCE
TEAMS
GAMES
WON
LOST
TIED
PCT.
American Atlantic Coast %Big East *Big Eight Big Ten Big 12 Conference USA Mid-American Mountain West Pac-12 SEC +Southland *Southwest Sun Belt Western Athletic Independents
4 12 1 2 4 8 3 3 1 4 9 2 4 2 3 11
4 13 1 2 4 13 4 3 1 5 18 5 4 2 4 13
2 6 1 0 2 5 2 1 1 3 14 2 1 0 3 4
2 6 0 2 2 8 2 2 0 2 4 3 3 2 1 8
0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
.500 .500 1.000 .000 .500 .385 .500 .333 1.000 .600 .778 .400 .250 .000 .750 .346
MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE
(1-0)
PAC-12 CONFERENCE
(3-2)
SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE
(14-4)
SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE
(2-3)
SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE
(1-3)
SUN BELT CONFERENCE
(0-2)
WESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
(3-1)
INDEPENDENTS
(4-8-1)
*Defunct League +Now a member of NCAA FCS %No longer has member institutions that play FBS football
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Army West Point Houston Temple Tulsa
ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE
Boston College Clemson Duke Georgia Tech Florida State Maryland Miami NC State North Carolina Virginia Virginia Tech Wake Forest
1-0 1-0 0-1 0-1
(6-6-1) 0-1 0-1 1-0 0-1 1-0 0-0-1 0-2 1-0 0-1 1-0 1-0 1-0
BIG EAST CONFERENCE
(1-0)
BIG EIGHT CONFERENCE
(0-2)
Virginia Tech
Kansas State Oklahoma State
BIG TEN CONFERENCE
Indiana Michigan State Minnesota Wisconsin
BIG 12 CONFERENCE
Colorado Iowa State Missouri Nebraska Oklahoma Oklahoma State Texas Tech Texas A&M
1-0 0-1 0-1
(2-2) 0-1 0-1 1-0 1-0
(5-8) 0-1 1-1 2-1 0-1 0-1 1-0 1-1 0-2
CONFERENCE USA
(2-2)
MID-AMERICAN
(1-2)
Louisiana Tech Southern Miss UAB Miami University Northern Illinois Ohio
104
(2-2)
1-1 0-1 1-0 0-1 0-1 1-0
Air Force
Arizona California Oregon Washington
Alabama Arkansas Auburn Georgia LSU Ole Miss Mississippi State South Carolina Vanderbilt Louisiana Tech McNeese State Arkansas TCU Texas A&M Texas Tech
Louisiana UL Monroe
Air Force Louisiana Tech UTEP
Army West Point BYU East Carolina Louisiana Tech Louisville Notre Dame Southern Mississippi Syracuse Tulane Tulsa Virginia Tech
1-0 1-0 0-1 1-1 1-0 2-1 1-0 1-0 2-0 2-0 4-1 1-0 1-1 0-1 1-1 1-2 0-1 0-1 1-0 0-1 0-1 0-1 2-0 1-0 0-1
0-1 0-1 1-0 0-0-1 0-1 0-1 2-0 1-0 0-1 0-2 0-1
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Individual Records Most Touchdowns Receiving: 3, Auden Tate, Florida State (2017 vs. Southern Miss) 3, Jaylen Samuels, NC State (2016 vs. Vanderbilt)
Kevin Faulk, LSU
Independence Bowl Records: • Rush Yards: 234 • Yards Per Carry: 9.4 • 2nd in All-Purpose Yards: 271 • 2nd in Yards From Scrimmage: 238
RUSHING
Most Attempts: 35, Ja’Mar Toombs, Texas A&M (2000 vs. Miss. State) Most Net Yards: 234, Kevin Faulk, LSU (1995 vs. Michigan State)
Most Field Goals: 4, Chris Balseiro, Arkansas (2003 vs. Missouri) 4, David Hardy, Texas A&M (1981 vs. Oklahoma St.) Most PATs: 8, Collin Wareham, Duke (2018 vs. Temple) Most Points by Kicker: 15, David Hardy, Texas A&M (1981 vs. Oklahoma St.) Two-Point Conversions: 1, 13 times, most recently: Keyarris Garrett from Dane Evans, Tulsa (2015 vs. Virginia Tech)
PUNTING
Best Avg. Per Carry (min. 10 carries): 9.4, Kevin Faulk, LSU (1995 vs. Michigan State)
Most Punts: 9, Brady Farlow, Louisiana Tech (2019 vs. Miami) 9, Louis Hedley, Miami (2019 vs. Louisiana Tech) 9, Terry McFarland, McNeese State (1976 vs. Tulsa)
Most Yards by a Quarterback: 150, Brad Smith, Missouri (2005 vs. South Carolina)
Highest Average Per Punt: 48.8, Thomas Hibbard, North Carolina (2011 vs. Missouri)
PASSING
Most Attempts: 58, Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M (2009 vs. Georgia) Most Completions: 39, Josh Heupel, Oklahoma (1999 vs. Ole Miss) Most Net Yards: 423, Daniel Jones, Duke (2018 vs. Temple) Most Interceptions Thrown: 5, Wade Hill, Arkansas (1991 vs. Arkansas) Highest Completion Pct.: (min. 15 completions): 82.6, Dylan Hopkins, UAB (2021 vs. BYU) Most Yards Per Completion: (min. 5 completions) 23.6, Tyler Tettleton, Ohio (2012 vs. ULM)
RECEIVING
Most Receptions: 12, T.J. Rahming, Duke (2018 vs. Temple) 12, Isaiah Ford, Virginia Tech (2015 vs. Tulsa) 12, Sidney Rice, South Carolina (2005 vs. Missouri) Most Yards Receiving: 240, T.J. Rahming, Duke (2018 vs. Temple) Highest Avg. Per Catch: (min. 3 catches) 54.0, Chase Cochran, Ohio (2012 vs. ULM)
SCORING
Most Touchdowns Responsible For: 6, Daniel Jones, Duke (2018 vs. Temple) (5 pass, 1 rush) Most Touchdowns Rushing: 4, Beau Blankenship, Ohio (2012 vs. ULM) Most Touchdowns Passing: 5, Daniel Jones, Duke (2018 vs. Temple)
PUNT & Kickoff RETURNS
Most Punt Returns: 8, DeJuan Groce, Nebraska (2002 vs. Ole Miss) 8, Thomas Lewis, Indiana (1993 vs. Virginia Tech) Most Punt Return Yardage: 132, Greg Stroman, Virginia Tech (2015 vs. Tulsa) Highest Average: 86, Javier Arenas, Alabama (2006 vs. Oklahoma State)
KICKOFF RETURNS
Most Kickoff Returns: 8, Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M (2009 vs. Georgia) Most Kickoff Return Yardage: 157, Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M (2009 vs. Georgia) Highest Average: 97, Phillip Livas, Louisiana Tech (2008 vs. Northern Illinois)
INTERCEPTIONS
Most Interceptions Made: 2, six times, most recently: Anthony Magee, Ole Miss (1998 vs. Texas Tech) Most Interception Return Yardage: 99, Marcus King, Missouri (2005 vs. South Carolina)
TACKLES
Most Total Tackles: 24, Clay Carroll, McNeese State (1979 vs. Syracuse) Most Sacks: 3, Chuck Wiley, LSU (1997 vs. Notre Dame) 3, James Gillyard, LSU (1995 vs. Michigan State) 3, James Mosley, Texas Tech (1986 vs. Ole Miss) Most Tackles for Loss: 5, Wallace Gilberry, Alabama (2007 vs. Colorado)
106
Daniel Jones, Duke
Independence Bowl Records: • Most Passing Yards: 423 • Most Touchdowns Passing: 5 • Most TDs responsible for: 6
LONGEST PLAYS
Longest Run From Scrimmage: 80, Deuce McAllister, Ole Miss (1999 vs. Oklahoma) Longest Rushing Touchdown: 80, Deuce McAllister, Ole Miss (1999 vs. Oklahoma ) Longest Pass: 87, Randy Wright to Tom Stracka, Wisconsin (1982 vs. Kansas State) Longest Passing Touchdown: 87, Randy Wright to Tom Stracka, Wisconsin (1982 vs. Kansas State) Longest Field Goal: 52, Tommy Openshaw, Vanderbilt (2016 vs. NC State) Longest Punt: 70, Jeff Dozier, Louisiana Tech (1978 vs. East Carolina) Longest Punt Return: 86, Javier Arenas, Alabama (2006 vs. Oklahoma State) Longest Punt Return for Touchdown: 86, Javier Arenas, Alabama (2006 vs. Oklahoma State) Longest Kickoff Return: 100, Nyheim Hines, NC State (2016 vs. Vanderbilt) 100, Derrick Mason, Michigan State (1995 vs. LSU) Longest Kickoff Return for Touchdown: 100, Nyheim Hines, NC State (2016 vs. Vanderbilt) 100, Derrick Mason, Michigan State (1995 vs. LSU) Longest Interception Return: 99, Marcus King, Missouri (2005 vs. South Carolina) Longest Interception Return for Touchdown: 99, Marcus King, Missouri (2005 vs. South Carolina) Longest Fumble Return: 37, Gabe Northern, LSU (1995 vs. Michigan State) Longest Fumble Return for Touchdown: 37, Gabe Northern, LSU (1995 vs. Michigan State) Longest Return of Blocked Field Goal: 80, Antonio Banks, Virginia Tech (1993 vs. Indiana) Longest Return of Blocked Field Goal for Touchdown: 80, Antonio Banks, Virginia Tech (1993 vs. Indiana)
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Team Records RUSHING
TOTAL OFFENSE
Most Attempts: 73, Syracuse (1979 vs. McNeese State)
Most Plays: 92, Texas A&M (2009 vs. Georgia)
Fewest Attempts: 19, North Carolina (2011 vs. Missouri)
Fewest Plays: 47, McNeese State (1979 vs. Syracuse)
Most Yards: 337, Missouri (2011 vs. North Carolina)
Most Yards: 598, Virginia Tech (2015 vs. Tulsa)
Fewest Yards: 12, Louisiana Tech (1978 vs. East Carolina)
Fewest Yards: 161, Louisville (1977 vs. Louisiana Tech)
Highest Average Per Carry: 7.3, Missouri (2011 vs. North Carolina)
Highest Average Yards Per Play: 9.1, Ohio (2012 vs. ULM)
Lowest Average Per Carry: 0.4, Louisiana Tech (1978 vs. East Carolina)
Lowest Average Yards Per Play: 2.4, Louisville (1977 vs. Louisiana Tech)
SCORING
Most Touchdowns: 8, Duke (2018 vs. Temple)
Most Touchdowns Rushing: 5, Virginia Tech (2015 vs. Tulsa) 5, East Carolina (1978 vs. Louisiana Tech)
Josh Heupel (Oklahoma, 1999) PASSING
Most Attempts: 59, Texas A&M (2009 vs. Georgia) Fewest Attempts: 7, Air Force (1984 vs. Virginia Tech) 7, Air Force (1983 vs. Ole Miss) Most Completions: 39, Oklahoma (1999 vs. Ole Miss) Fewest Completions: 2, Army (2024 vs. Louisiana Tech) Most Yards: 440, Duke (2018 vs. Temple) Fewest Yards: 41, Georgia Tech (2010 vs. Air Force) Most Passes Had Intercepted: 5, Arkansas (1991 vs. Georgia) Highest Completion Percentage: 86.0, Air Force (1984 vs. Virginia Tech) 86.0, Air Force (1983 vs. Ole Miss) Lowest Completion Percentage: 22.2, Army (2024 vs. Louisiana Tech) Most Yards Per Completion: 32.5, Army (2024 vs. Louisiana Tech) Fewest Yards Per Completion: 5.1, Syracuse (1979 vs. McNeese State)
Most Touchdowns Passing: 5, Duke (2018 vs. Temple) Most Interception Return Touchdowns: 1, six times, most recently: Temple (2018 vs. Duke) Most Fumble Return Touchdowns: 1, four times, most recently: Texas Tech (1998 vs. Ole Miss) Most Kickoff Return Touchdowns: 1, six times, most recently: NC State (2016 vs. Vanderbilt)
Fewest Points, Losing Team: 0, Miami (2019 vs. Louisiana Tech) Smallest Margin of Victory: 1, Alabama 14 vs. Iowa State 13 (2001) Games Ending In A Tie: Louisiana Tech 34 vs. Maryland 34 (1990) Most Points Scored in a Half: 45, Virginia Tech (2015 vs. Tulsa) Most Points Scored in First Half: 45, Virginia Tech (2015 vs. Tulsa) Most Points Scored in Second Half: 35, Duke (2018 vs. Temple) Most Points Scored in One Half: 45, Virginia Tech (2015 vs. Tulsa, first half ) Most Points Scored in First Quarter: 24, Virginia Tech (2015 vs. Tulsa) Most Points Scored in Second Quarter: 21, Virginia Tech (2015 vs. Tulsa) 21, Virginia Tech (1993 vs. Indiana) Most Points Scored in Third Quarter: 21, Duke (2018 vs. Temple) 21, LSU (1995 vs. Michigan State) 21, Southern Miss (1988 vs. UTEP) Most Points Scored in Fourth Quarter: 22, Army (1996 vs. Army) Most Points Scored in a Quarter: 24, Virginia Tech (2015 vs. Tulsa, first quarter) Most Points Scored in Overtime: 8, Mississippi State (2000 vs. Texas A&M)
FIRST DOWNS
Most Punt Return Touchdowns: 2, Southern Miss (1988 vs. UTEP)
Most First Downs: 30, Virginia Tech (2015 vs. Tulsa)
Blocked Punt Returned for Touchdown: 1, Tulsa (1989 vs. Oregon)
Fewest First Downs: 11, six times, most recently: Louisiana Tech (2024 vs. Army)
Blocked Field Goal Returned for Touchdown: 1, Virginia Tech (1993 vs. Indiana) 1, Tulsa (1976 vs. McNeese State)
Most First Downs Rushing: 22, Army (2024 vs. Louisiana Tech)
Most Field Goals: 4, Arkansas (2003 vs. Missouri) 4, Texas A&M (1981 vs. Oklahoma State) Most Points, Winning Team: 56, Duke (2018 vs. Temple) Most Points, Losing Team: 52, Tulsa (2015 vs. Virginia Tech) Largest Margin of Victory: 31, Ohio (2012 vs. ULM) Fewest Points, Winning Team: 9, Air Force (1983 vs. Ole Miss)
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Fewest First Downs Rushing: 2, North Carolina (2011 vs. Missouri) Most First Downs Passing: 20, Ole Miss (1986 vs. Texas Tech) Fewest First Downs Passing: 1, Oklahoma State (1981 vs. Texas A&M) Most First Downs by Penalty: 9, Oklahoma State (1981 vs. Texas A&M) Fewest First Downs by Penalty: 0, 24 times, most recently: Louisiana Tech (2024 vs. Army)
Team Records DEFENSE
Fewest Total Yards Allowed: 161, Louisiana Tech (1977 vs. Louisville) Fewest Rushing Yards Allowed: 12, East Carolina (1978 vs. Louisiana Tech) Fewest Passing Yards Allowed: 41, Air Force (2010 vs. Georgia Tech) Fewest Points Allowed: 0, Louisiana Tech (2019 vs. Miami) Fewest Touchdowns Allowed: 0, six times, most recently: Army (2024 vs. Louisiana Tech) Fewest Completions Allowed: 2, Louisiana Tech (2024 vs. Army) Lowest Completion Percentage Allowed: 22.2, Louisiana Tech (2024 vs. Army)
PUNT & KICKOFF RETURNS
Most Punt Returns: 8, Nebraska (2002 vs. Ole Miss) 8, Indiana (1993 vs. Virginia Tech)
Fewest Yards Penalized: 0, Louisiana Tech (1978 vs. East Carolina)
Most Punt Return Yards: 132, Virginia Tech (2015 vs. Tulsa)
SCORING DRIVES
Longest Scoring Drive (Yards): 94 yds. in 12 plays, Boston College (2013 vs. Arizona)
Most Kickoff Returns: 8, North Carolina (2011 vs. Missouri) 8, Texas A&M (2009 vs. Georgia) Most Kickoff Return Yards: 177, South Carolina (2005 vs. Missouri) Highest Punt Return Average: 86.0 (one return) Alabama (2006 vs. Oklahoma St.) Highest Kickoff Return Average: 59.0, NC State (2016 vs. Vanderbilt)
FUMBLES
Most Pass Interceptions: 5, Georgia (1991 vs. Arkansas)
Most Fumbles: 8, Louisville (1977 vs. Louisiana Tech)
Most Interception Return Yards: 103, Missouri (2005 vs. South Carolina
Fewest Fumbles: 0, 13 times, most recently: Army (2024 vs. Louisiana Tech)
Most Blocked Punts: Several teams tied at one Fewest First Downs Allowed: 11, six times, most recently: Army (2024 vs. Louisiana Tech) Most Blocked Punts: Several teams tied at one Most Turnovers Gained: 7, East Carolina (1978 vs. Louisiana Tech) Most Quarterback Sacks: 7, LSU (1997 vs. Notre Dame) 7, Virginia Tech (1993 vs. Indiana)
Most Yards Penalized: 112, Virginia Tech (1984 vs. Air Force)
Most Fumbles Lost: 6, Louisiana Tech (1978 vs. East Carolina) Fewest Fumbles Lost: 0, 36 times, most recently: Army (2024 vs. Louisiana Tech)
PENALTIES
Longest Scoring Drives (Time): 12:21, Army (2024 vs. Louisiana Tech) Most Plays in Scoring Drive: 21 plays, Army (2024 vs. Louisiana Tech) Fastest Score to Open the Game: 0:15, California (2023 vs. Texas Tech Quickest Scoring Drives: 1 play, 25 yards, 5 secs, Cal (2023 vs. Texas Tech) 1 play, 75 yards, 12 secs, Virginia Tech (2015 vs. Tulsa) 1 play, 9 yards, 4 secs, Tulsa (2015 vs. Virginia Tech) 1 play, 2 yards, 4 secs, Georgia (2009 vs. Texas A&M) 1 play, 41 yds, 10 secs, Arkansas (2003 vs. Missouri) 1 play, 42 yds, 8 secs, Texas A&M (2000 vs. Miss. St.) 1 play, 80 yds, 13 secs, Ole Miss (1999 vs. Oklahoma) 1 play, 33 yds, 8 secs, Ole Miss (1998 vs. Texas Tech) 1 play, 3 yds, 5 secs, Virginia Tech (1984 vs. Air Force)
MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS
Record of Teams Leading at Halftime: 36-12 Ties at Halftime: 1990, Louisiana Tech 14 vs. Maryland 14 Tie Games: 1990, Louisiana Tech 34 vs. Maryland 34
Most Penalties: 16, Tulsa (1976 vs. McNeese State)
Overtime Games: 2000, Miss. St. 43, Texas A&M 41
Fewest Penalties: 0, Louisiana Tech (1978 vs. East Carolina)
Largest Deficit Overcome by Winning Team: 21 pts Missouri vs. South Carolina (2005) Virginia Tech vs. Indiana (1993)
Most Sack Yardage: 62, LSU (1997 vs. Notre Dame)
PUNTING
Most Punts: 9, Louisiana Tech (2019 vs. Miami) 9, Miami (2019 vs. Louisiana Tech) 9, McNeese State (1976 vs. Tulsa) Fewest Punts: 0, Army (2024 vs. Louisiana Tech) Highest Punting Average: 48.8, North Carolina (2011 vs. Missouri) Lowest Punting Average: 10, Oklahoma (1999 vs. Ole Miss)
Monroe Young (California, 2023)
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Bowl Participant Award Winners HEISMAN TROPHY
The Heisman Trophy is awarded annually since 1935 to the top player in college football. It is considered the most prestigious award in the sport and is presented by the Heisman Trophy Trust following the regular season. 2025 Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
DOAK WALKER AWARD
Presented for the first time in 1990 to honor the nation’s best running back among Division I-A juniors or seniors who combine outstanding achievements on the field, in the classroom and in the community. Sponsored by the GTE-Southern Methodist Athletic Forum in Dallas, Texas, a $10,000 scholarship is donated to the recipient’s university in his name. The award is named after Doak Walker, SMU’s three-time consensus AllAmerica halfback and 1948 Heisman Trophy winner. 1990 Greg Lewis, Washington 1992 Garrison Hearst, Georgia 2013* Andre Williams, Boston College
MAXWELL AWARD
Awarded since 1937 to honor the nation’s outstanding college football player by the Maxwell Memorial Football Club of Philadelphia. The award is named after Robert Maxwell, a Philadelphia native who played at the University of Chicago as a lineman near the turn of the century. 2003 Eli Manning, Ole Miss 2025 Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
WALTER CAMP AWARD
First presented in 1967 to honor the nation’s outstanding college football player by the Walter Camp Foundation in balloting by Division I-A coaches and sports information directors. The award is named after Walter Camp, one of the founders of modern American football. 2000 Josh Heupel, Oklahoma 2025 Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
BUTKUS AWARD
First presented in 1985 to honor the nation’s best collegiate linebacker by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, Fla. The award is named after Dick Butkus, two-time consensus All-American at Illinois and sixtime all-pro linebacker with the Chicago Bears. 2001 Rocky Calmus, Oklahoma 2009 Rolando McClain, Alabama 2010 Von Miller, Texas A&M 2025 Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
CHUCK BEDNARIK AWARD
Presented annually to the top defensive player in the nation, as voted on by the Maxwell Football Club. Voters for the Maxwell College Awards are NCAA Head College Football Coaches, members of the Maxwell Football Club & sportswriters and sportscasters from across the country. The award was first presented in 1995. 2014 Scooby Wright III, Arizona 2025 Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD
The Rotary Lombardi Award is hosted by the Rotary Club of Houston and benefits the American Cancer Society. The Award was initiated in 1970 shortly after the death of Vince Lombardi to cancer. The Lombardi Award goes annually to the college football lineman or linebacker who, in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the discipline of Vince Lombardi. 2014 Scooby Wright III, Arizona 2025 Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
JIM THORPE AWARD
First presented in 1986 to honor the nation’s best defensive back by the Jim Thorpe Athletic Club of Oklahoma City. The award is named after Jim Thorpe, Olympic champion, two-time consensus All-American halfback at Carlisle and professional football player. 2001 Roy Williams, Oklahoma
BRONKO NAGURSKI AWARD
First presented in 1993 to honor the nation’s top collegiate defensive player by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club. The award is named after Bronko Nagurski, consensus All-America tackle and running back at Minnesota in 1929, and a member of both the College Football and Pro Football Hall of Fame. 2001 Roy Williams, Oklahoma 2014 Scooby Wright III, Arizona 2017 Bradley Chubb, NC State 2025 Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
JOHN MACKEY AWARD
Since 2000, the Nassau County Sports Commission honors the nation’s top tight end. The award is named after former Syracuse and NFL star John Mackey. 2008 Chase Coffman, Missouri
DAVE RIMINGTON TROPHY
First presented in 2000 to honor the best center in college football, it is a member of the National College Football Awards Association. The trophy, named after University of Nebraska center Dave Rimington (197982), it serves as a fundraiser for the Boomer Esiason Foundation’s fight against cystic fibrosis. 2018 Garrett Bradbury, NC State
OUTLAND TROPHY
Honoring the outstanding interior lineman in the nation, first presented in 1946 by the FWAA. The award is named for its benefactor, Dr. John H. Outland. 1984* Bruce Smith, Virginia Tech 1987 Chad Hennings, Air Force 2008 Andre Smith, Alabama
JOHNNY UNITAS GOLDEN ARM AWARD
First presented in 1987 to honor the nation’s top senior quarterback by the Kentucky Chapter of the NFF and College Football Hall of Fame. Each year, a committee selects the winner based on citizenship, scholarship, leadership and athletic accomplishments. The award is named after Pro Football Hall of Fame QB Johnny Unitas. 2003 Eli Manning, Ole Miss
RAY GUY AWARD
First presented in 2000 by the Greater Augusta Sports Council to honor the nation’s top punter. The award is named after Ray Guy, a former All-American at Southern Miss and an all-pro for the Oakland Raiders. 2008 Matt Fodge, Oklahoma State 2009* Drew Butler, Georgia
LOU GROZA AWARD
Presented for the first time in 1992 to honor the nation’s top collegiate placekicker. Sponsored by the Palm Beach County Sports Authority in conjunction with the Orange Bowl Committee. The award is named after NFL Hall of Fame kicker Lou Groza. 1995 Michael Reeder, TCU 2003 Jonathan Nichols, Ole Miss 2024 Kenneth Almendares, Louisiana
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PAUL HORNUNG AWARD
Since 2010, the Paul Hornung Award has been presented by the Louisville Sports Commission to “recognize and reward versatile, high-level performers in major college football.” The award is named after College and Pro Football Hall of Famer Paul Hornung, who is considered one of the most versatile players in football history. 2011 Brandon Boykin, Georgia
AFCA COACH OF THE YEAR
Selected by the American Football Coaches Association and the Football Writers Association of America. 1983* Ken Hatfield, Air Force 1985 Fisher DeBerry, Air Force 1999 Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech 2000 Bob Stoops, Oklahoma 2013 David Cutliffe, Duke
BOBBY DODD COACH OF THE YEAR
Selected by the American Football Coaches Association and the Football Writers Association of America. 1983* Ken Hatfield, Air Force 1985 Fisher DeBerry, Air Force 1991 George Welsh, Virginia 1996* Bob Sutton, Army 2003 Bob Stoops, Oklahoma 2004 Paul Johnson, Navy 2008 Mack Brown, Texas 2013 David Cutcliffe, Duke 2014 Nick Saban, Alabama
EDDIE ROBINSON COACH OF THE YEAR
Selected by Football Writers Association of America. Named in honor of legendary Grambling State head coach Eddie Robinson, who coached 408 career victories. 1985 Fisher DeBerry, Air Force 1994 Rich Brooks, Oregon 1999 Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech 2000 Bob Stoops, Oklahoma 2003 Nick Saban, LSU 2008 Nick Saban, Alabama 2011 Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State 2018 Bill Clark, UAB
HOME DEPOT COACH OF THE YEAR
Given annually to the top head football coach, as voted on by ESPN and ABC college football analysts. 1994 Rich Brooks, Oregon 1999 Frank Solich, Nebraska 2000 Bob Stoops, Oklahoma 2008 Nick Saban, Alabama
PAUL “BEAR” BRYANT COACH OF THE YEAR
The College Football Coach of the Year Award began in 1957 and was renamed for Coach Bryant in 1986, following his death of a heart attack in 1983. It has since benefited the American Heart Association. The award honors excellence in college football coaching, both on and off the field. 1994 Rich Brooks, Oregon 1999 Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech 2000 Bob Stoops, Oklahoma 2003 Nick Saban, LSU 2005 Mack Brown, Texas 2011 Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State *Award was earned during season in which he played/ coached in the Independence Bowl List updated December 14, 2025
N E W S
The William A. Robinson Foundation
THANKS
FOR 48 GREAT YEARS!
THANK YOU! MIKE & JUDY MCCARTHY
for their continued support and dedication to the Independence Bowl throughout the years.
4 LOCATIONS To Serve You In
Northwest Louisiana 9405 Ellerbe Road
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(318) 213-5750 Shreveport
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COMMUNITY SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP Since 2006, the Independence Bowl Foundation has partnered with Willis Knighton Health each year to present a scholarship to one graduating senior from Caddo Parish and one from Bossier Parish. The scholarships are awarded based not only on academic success, but also on a commitment to improving their community through service. The scholarship increased from $2,500 to $5,000 apiece in 2025, and the total amount of scholarships awarded will surpass $100,000 this year.
ISHMAEL SWINEY
AVERY CLAIRE BRIGNAC
Captain Shreve High School
Benton High School
Ishmael Swiney – the Caddo Parish recipient – excels in the classroom with a 4.02 current grade point average (GPA) while taking Honors and AP coursework the past two years.
Avery Claire Brignac – Bossier's recipient – has a great reputation academically with an astounding 4.4 GPA.
His classroom success has brought him many honors – including making him part of the National Honor Society and PTSA Distinguished Scholars. He earned and Oratory Public Speaking Award this year. Outside of the classroom, Swiney has been a leader amongst Captain Shreve and the organizations he has been a part of. He was the Freshman Class President and has been involved in th Black Studies Association all four years of high school, including being Vice President of the organization. He was also been involved in the G.L.U.E. Initiative the past three years, including one year as Vice President and two years as President. Along with his academic excellence, Swiney has been very involved in the community. His most extensive community service work has come as a 4-H Ignite Ambassador and with the Caddo DA Leadership Academy. Swiney was selected by 4-H to represent Louisiana youth at the national conference in Washington D.C., and he has helped coordinate the Caddo DA Leadership Academy the past two years – designing and leading workshops that focus on civic engagement, leadership and decision making by middle schoolers.
She has been a part of the Bossier Parish Talented Program and Bossier Parish Gifted Program all four years of high school, and she has maintained her number one overall class rank all four years. She received a 30+ ACT Score Banner and the Dean's Scholarship at Ole Miss. Being involved in different organizations at Benton High and in the community is important to Brignac. She has been a member of the Benton Tennis Team all four years of high school and has been a Benton High School Tiger Girl the last three years. She has also been a member of the Beta Club and National Honor Society the past two years. All four years, she has been involved with Random Acts of Kindness, First Priority and the Student Council – including serving as the Student Council Secretary last year. Brignac has been heavily involved with Vicki's School of Dance and Cypress Student Ministry, as well. Brignac knows the importance of serving her community and communities around the world. Her most extensive service has come through KidsKamp at Camp Bethany, Penny Lane Nursery and mission trips. At KidzKamp, she served by helping lead campers from second to sixth grade to Christ. She also went on a mission trip to Merida, Mexico. At Penny Lane Nursery, she was a volunteer who helped with three-year-olds at Cypress Baptist.
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LISTEN UP!
Hear The Game Here Complete Bowl Game Radio Schedule At BowlSeason.com
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In-Game Promotions
In-Game Promotions Team Fireworks – Presented by Module X Solutions Sonic Mascot Race – Cheer on your favorite Sonic mascot, Indy or local mascot presented by Sonic Give It Your All Kids Race – Get ready to see watch five kids Give It Their All as they race to see who gets dressed a cross the goal line presented by Goodwill of North Louisiana Delivery of the Game – One lucky row will get pizza courtesy of Pizza Hut Halftime Show – presented by B1Bank
Smile Cam – presented by Shreveport Dental Solutions. Smile Big for the videoboard! Post-Up presented by Lamar & Whataburger - Scan the QR code from the videoboard and post your photos, show your spirit and get seen on the videoboard.
Presentations Willis Knighton Health Systems Scholarship Presentation Two (2) local students will be presented college scholarships The Shreveport Bossier City Advocate Art Contest Winners Winners will be recognized on the videoboard throughout the game
Radiance Technologies Employee of the Year Omar Bradley Spirit of Independence Award – General (Ret.) Charles A. Flynn, former commanding general of US Army Pacific. Carl Mikovich Sports Person of the Year–LSU Shreveport Undefeated 2025 Baseball Team
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Upcoming Independence Bowl Foundation Events Independence Bowl Annual Meeting March 2026 • Open for all Independence Bowl Foundation Members USTA Junior Tennis Classic & Rackets on the Rocks April 2026 • Youth tennis players ages 12-18 from all through the United States come to play in the tournament • Foundation members and anyone who purchases a ticket gets to hit for prizes at Rackets on the Rocks Annual Foundation Crawfish Boil April 2026 • All Foundation Members receive two tickets 15th Annual Youth Football Clinic June 2026 • Free for kids ages 5-13 (incoming eighth graders) 2nd Annual High School Football Media Day July/August 2026 • Promotes local high school football teams and their players and coaches to local and regional media For more information on all of the Independence Bowl events, including Foundation events, community events, public events and more, visit RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/events.
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When purchasing your Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl™ merchandise, make sure it’s official by looking for the “Officially Licensed Collegiate Products” hologram. This hologram assures that the product has been approved by the Bowl and its participating teams. Revenue generated from the sale of officially licensed products will help support Bowl and university programs of this year’s participating institutions. For more information about the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl™ licensing program, please contact CLC. 770.956.0520 / clc.com
Advertising Index Advertising Index 93 89 59 52 119 124 5 12 57 103 51 125 65 63 135 83 94 45 7 79 112 118 BIC 118 24 71 129 39 128 129 85 98 107 45 133 111 103 IFC 1 127 17 25 130-31
117 Ace Digital 83 AEP Foundation/SWEPCO 116 Air Force Sergeants Association 83 Barksdale Federal Credit Union 88 Bossier Press Bowl Season Radio Network 56 Caddo Parish Commission 19 Calumet 63 CF Biggs 21 Chase Bank 77 Coca-Cola 61 Coca-Cola Bowl Season 105 Coca-Cola FanFest 107 Connoisseur Media 119 Collegiate Licensing Company BC Conterra Networks 3 Cubby Hole 11 Dethloff Insurance 24 Eagle Distributing – Michelob Ultra 59 Eagle Distributing – Modelo Especiale 90 East Ridge Country Club 39 Flying B Rentals Greater Bossier Economic Development Fnd 84 53 Golf Carts of Louisiana 25 Hilton Shreveport 71 Honeybaked Ham 13 In-Game Promotions Innovative Office Systems 6 Inside the I-Bowl 134 iShuttle 35 Jean Simpson 115 Johnny’s Pizza House 30 KASO-KBEF 33 Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Homes 121 Krewe of Gemini 81 KTAL/KMSS 31 KTBS 37 Lee Michael’s Jewelry 114 Lee Michael’s Jewelry 35 Lilah’s Bakery 113 Live! Louisiana Casino & Hotel 26 Louisiana Downs 67 Louisiana Economic Development 120
Louisiana Smoke House Margaritaville Resort Casino Mike & Judy McCarthy Thank You Minuteman Club Miracle 90.7 Module X Solutions Morehead Pools Music Mountain New Car Dealers Association Performance Foods PJ’s Coffee Pork & Fork Meal Prep Porter’s Dry Cleaners Progressive Bank Radiance Technologies Radiance Technologies (Strategic Growth) Radiance Technologies (What We Do) Raymond James Regions Bank Residence Inn – Shreveport/Bossier City Sam’s Town Shaver’s Catering Shreveport-Bossier Advocate Shreveport Convention Center Shreveport Dental Solutions Shreveport Rubber & Gasket Company Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission SportsTalk 97.7 Superior Grill Team IP Thrifty Liquor Tickets For Less Tony Chachere’s UL Coleman Walk On’s Sports Bistreaux Whataburger Whataburger Scholar Program Wilhite Electric William Robinson Foundation Willis Knighton Health Systems Willis Knighton Sports Medicine Willis Knighton Service Scholarship
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