Interim Chaos vs. Home-State Momentum in Shreveport
The
2025 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl
brings together two programs heading in opposite directions.
Coastal Carolina
arrives amid coaching upheaval after firing Tim Beck late in the season, turning the reins over to interim head coach
Jeremiah Johnson. Meanwhile,
Louisiana Tech
enters with renewed momentum under
Sonny Cumbie, playing just an hour from campus in what amounts to a virtual home game.
For Coastal, this bowl represents damage control after a late-season collapse. For Louisiana Tech, it’s an opportunity to cap their first winning season since 2019 with a statement performance in front of a friendly crowd.
Matchup
Coastal Carolina vs. Louisiana Tech
Date
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Time
2:00 PM ET (1:00 PM CT)
Location
Independence Stadium — Shreveport, LA
TV
ESPN
Roster Impact & Availability
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs — Next Man Up at QB
Louisiana Tech’s biggest concern is under center. The Bulldogs are down to their
third-string quarterback
after injuries sidelined starter
Blake Baker
(ACL) and backup
Evan Bullock
(upper body).
Trey Kukuk
is expected to start, but the offense will be simplified to protect him.
Fortunately for the Bulldogs, the rest of the roster is in strong shape. Defensively, Louisiana Tech returns
Conference USA Co-Defensive Player of the Year Jacob Fields, anchoring a unit that thrives on turnovers and field position.
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers — A Team in Transition
Coastal Carolina’s quarterback situation is even murkier.
Samari Collier
is out with a knee injury, leaving
Tad Hudson
or
Noah Kim
to start — neither has separated himself during bowl prep.
The Chanticleers are also dealing with uncertainty across the roster. Edge rusher
Zeke Campbell
entered the transfer portal and remains questionable, while tight end
Cane Berrong
is out with a knee injury. Combined with the coaching change, Coastal arrives in Shreveport searching for stability.
Matchup Breakdown
Louisiana Tech Identity
Louisiana Tech’s blueprint is clear:
run the football and let the defense dictate the game. The Bulldogs rank
22nd nationally in rushing offense (196.6 YPG)
and will relentlessly attack a Coastal Carolina defense ranked
130th against the run, allowing more than
210 yards per game.
Defensively, Louisiana Tech is among the most opportunistic units in the country. They rank
3rd nationally with 20 interceptions
and led the FBS with
7 defensive touchdowns, a devastating combination against an unstable quarterback situation.
Coastal Carolina Blueprint
For Coastal to stay competitive, ball security is paramount. The Chanticleers struggled mightily during their three-game losing streak to end the season, losing by a combined score of
137–41.
To pull an upset, Coastal must limit turnovers, slow the run early, and find explosive plays off play-action — a tall order given personnel and momentum.
Key Players to Watch
-
Jacob Fields (Louisiana Tech, LB/S)
— Defensive leader and turnover catalyst.
-
Clay Thevenin (Louisiana Tech, RB)
— The focal point of the Bulldogs’ rushing attack.
-
Trey Kukuk (Louisiana Tech, QB)
— Tasked with managing the game and avoiding mistakes.
-
Noah Kim / Tad Hudson (Coastal Carolina, QB)
— Whoever starts must protect the football.
⭐
Top 4 Prop Bets
Louisiana Tech Team Rushing Yards Over
With Coastal Carolina ranking near the bottom nationally in run defense, Louisiana Tech should lean heavily on the ground game from the opening drive.
Tip: Louisiana Tech team rushing yards over
- 130th-ranked CCU run defense
-
Run-heavy game plan
-
Home-field advantage
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Clay Thevenin Over Rushing Yards
Thevenin is set up for a volume-heavy workload as Louisiana Tech protects its third-string quarterback and controls tempo.
Tip: Clay Thevenin over rushing yards
- Feature-back usage
-
Favorable matchup
-
Clock-control role
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Coastal Carolina Turnovers Over
Given Louisiana Tech’s ball-hawking defense and Coastal’s unstable QB situation, forced turnovers are likely.
Tip: Coastal Carolina turnovers over
- 3rd nationally in interceptions
-
QB uncertainty
-
Defensive TD potential
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Louisiana Tech -7.5 (Spread)
Despite quarterback injuries, Louisiana Tech’s defensive edge, rushing advantage, and home-state environment create separation.
- Defensive mismatch
-
Run-game dominance
-
Motivation edge
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Odds Snapshot
-
Spread:
Louisiana Tech -7.0 to -9.5
-
Moneyline:
Louisiana Tech -300 / Coastal Carolina +240
-
Over/Under:
50.5–61.5 (line movement due to QB news)
Final Prediction
Even with a third-string quarterback, Louisiana Tech holds decisive advantages in the trenches and on defense. Coastal Carolina’s coaching instability and porous run defense make this an uphill battle from the opening kickoff.
Final Score:
Louisiana Tech 31, Coastal Carolina 17
