The 2020 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl features the 7-4 UTSA Roadrunners against the 9-1 Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. Here is the 2020 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Preview.
UTSA Roadrunners (7-4)
The Roadrunners were sitting at 4-4 before rattling off three straight wins to finish 7-4. Every team they lost to finished the regular season with a .500 record or better. Their only win over a team with an above .500 record was their victory over Louisiana Tech.
UTSA has an offense that averages 28.9 points per game. They have a running game that averages 214.7 yards per game, which ranks 22nd in the country. Their passing offense puts up 199.2 yards per game.
Frank Harris has led the team at the quarterback position. The junior has passed for 1,422 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions on 63.8 percent completion. Two receivers have over 500 receiving yards on the season in Zakhari Franklin and Joshua Cephus. Franklin has 44 catches for 579 yards and six touchdowns. Cephus has been right behind him with 55 catches for 521 yards and four touchdowns.
At running back, Sincere McCormick is a star for the team. He has 226 carries for 1,345 yards and 11 touchdowns. Harris is a quarterback who can help out the running game too. He has chipped in with 77 carries for 437 yards and eight touchdowns.
The defense allows 25.2 points per game, which is below average for the FBS. They rank 52nd in rush defense, giving up 152.7 yards, while the Roadrunners rank 59th against the pass, as they allow 228.1 passing yards per game. Safety Rashad Wisdom leads the team in tackles and interceptions with 82 and four respectively. Linebacker Jamal Ligon has also made an impact with 72 tackles and four sacks.
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (9-1)
Louisiana had a great season getting to nine wins. They beat five teams with an above .500 records with their best win coming over Iowa State. Their lone loss on the season came to Coastal Carolina, who finished the year undefeated.
The Ragin’ Cajuns have a good offense that scores 33.9 points per game. They pass for 214.8 yards (ranked 77th) and rush for 207.8 yards per game (ranked 26th).
Quarterback Levi Lewis has been a star for the Ragin’ Cajuns. He has passed for 2,128 yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions on 60 percent completion. Lewis has three targets that have 300 receiving yards this season. Jalen Williams has 19 catches for 345 yards and three touchdowns. Peter LeBlanc and Kyren Lacy each also have over 300 receiving yards as good possession receivers.
On the ground, the Ragin’ Cajuns have a two-headed monster. Elijah Mitchell leads the team with 751 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. He splits carries with Trey Ragas, who has 660 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Behind them, Lewis and running back Chris Smith each have over 300 yards on the season.
Defensively, Louisiana has been solid, allowing 21.8 points per game. They allow 180.9 rushing yards (ranked 84th) and 166.9 passing yards per game (ranked fifth). Linebackers Lorenzo McCaskill and Ferrod Gardner lead the team in tackles with 72 and 66 respectively. Safety Bralen Trahan has been a leader in the secondary with nine passes defended and four interception to go along with cornerback Mekhi Gardner who posted seven passes defended and three interceptions. Defensive end Zi’Yon Hill leads the team with four sacks.
Prediction
This season Louisiana proved that they could play with the power five teams with their win over Iowa State. They can beat teams through the air with Lewis’ arm and on the ground with Mitchell and Ragas. Louisiana will win this game by a decent margin, as UTSA won’t be able to keep up.
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns 41 UTSA Roadrunners 23
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