University Of Miami Loses To Louisiana Tech In Independence Bowl

SHREVEPORT, LA — The University of Miami football team was defeated by Louisiana Tech Thursday by a score of 14-0 in the Independence Bowl broadcast on ESPN. The loss gave the Canes a losing season with an overall record of 6-7 on the year.

J'Mar Smith of the 9-3 Bulldogs hit Israel Tucker under pressure to take the lead in what had been a scoreless game until the second quarter. The game was played at Independence Stadium in Shreveport.

The Hurricanes threatened in the fourth quarter after a red zone interception by freshman Gilbert Frierson and toss to Te'Cory Couch. The toss was ultimately ruled an illegal forward pass and the Canes were unable to score on the drive.

Amik Robertson of Louisiana Tech picked off N'Kosi Perry with 3:22 left in the fourth quarter. Perry was the third Canes quarterback to appear in the game.

Smith found his way into the end zone on a running play to put the Bulldogs up 13-0 in his last game as a senior. Bailey Hale knocked in the extra point to make it 14-0.

"What we've talked about this game being is a bridge into the 2020 season," explained Hurricanes Head Coach Manny Diaz ahead of the game.

"We do bring a ton of guys back on the team next year. Trying to set the expectation of how to prepare for a bowl game, how to win a bowl game, how to win a trophy because ... that's a learned behavior," said Diaz, who was Louisiana Tech's defensive coordinator in 2014.

Established in 1976 during the nation’s bicentennial celebration, the Independence Bowl is the 11th oldest college football bowl game in the nation and is celebrating its 44th year.

Past Independence Bowls have featured four Pro Football Hall of Famers, 19 College Football Hall of Famers and 71 first round picks in the NFL Draft, including three in the 2019 NFL
Draft with the selection of 2018 Offensive Player of the Game Daniel Jones as the 6th-overall pick by the New York Giants in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Bulldogs Head Coach Skip Holtz said the bowl felt like a home game since it was only an hour away from the university. Despite his team's better overall record, he said he did not take Miami lightly.

"Great plays, great people we couldn't be more proud of these 23 seniors and what they've been able to accomplish this season," Holtz told ESPN after the game. "I haven't made a block or a tackle. These guys are out there and they played their tails out on the field."

Seven different coaches who have coached in the Independence Bowl have also won a college football national championship.

Louisiana Tech got its historic 10th win on the season and sixth straight bowl win. Holtz said his team hadn't posted a double-digit winning record since 1984. Miami hadn't been shut out since the team's 58-0 loss to Clemson in 2015.

"They want to leave their mark," he said before the game. "Having an opportunity to go down as one of the winningest classes to come through here is a pretty special honor and I think speaks volume of what these guys have accomplished during their stay here."