The 2024 Independence Bowl features the 5-7 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs against the 11-2 Army Black Knights. Here is the 2024 Independence Bowl Preview.
Louisiana Tech won five games, but were invited to this game after Marshall dropped out. The Bulldogs have one win over a bowl-eligible team: Western Kentucky. They have three losses to teams who didn’t make a bowl game: Tulsa, FIU and New Mexico State.
The Bulldogs score 22.2 points per game, ranking 115th. They pass for 228.5 yards (ranked 65th) and rush for 115.1 yards per game (ranked 111th).
Evan Bullock has started at quarterback for the Bulldogs. He has passed for 1,938 yards, 14 touchdowns and two interceptions on 67.4 percent completion. Six players have at least 200 receiving yards on the season. Tru Edwards led the team with 77 catches for 897 yards and six touchdowns.
Three running backs have over 200 rushing yards on the season. Omiri Wiggins has 487 rushing yards and four touchdowns to lead the team. Behind him, Amani Givens and Marquis Crosby have played well with 317 and 214 rushing yards respectively.
Defensively, the Bulldogs allow 20.5 points per game, ranking 24th in the country. They give up 181.8 passing yards and 120.1 rushing yards per game. Zach Zimos and Kolbe Fields have led the teams in tackles with 74 and 71 respectively. David Blay leads the team with six sacks. Jacob Fields has made plays on the ball with three passes defended and two interceptions.
Army won 11 games this season to qualify for bowl eligibility. They defeated four bowl-eligibile teams this season: East Carolina, North Texas, UTSA and Tulane. Both of their losses, Notre Dame and Navy, were to teams that made bowl games.
The Black Knights score 32 points per game, ranking 32nd in the country. They pass for 81.8 yards (ranked 134th) and rush for 298.9 yards per game (ranked first).
Bryson Dailey has been great operating the option attack at quarterback this season for Army. He has passed for 942 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions on 55.3 percent completion. Two players have done well as pass-catchers for Army. Casey Reynolds and Noah Short have 444 and 318 receiving yards respectively.
Daily leads the team in rushing from the quarterback position with 1,532 yards and 29 touchdowns. Top running back Kanye Udoh is in the transfer portal. That means Short and Samari Howard will have to step up after totaling 542 and 128 rushing yards respectively.
Defensively, the Black Knights allow 16.2 points per game, ranking eighth in the country. They concede 187.2 passing yards and 116.8 rushing yards per game. Andon Thomas leads the team with 90 total tackles. Elo Modozie paces the team with 6.5 sacks. Max DiDomenico has found the football with four passes defended and two interceptions.
Army has proven themselves as a good team this season. They should be able to run the ball effectively. Defensively, they have been good all season and can keep that up in the bowl game to win big.
Army Black Knights 28 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 10
Make sure to check out our college football page for more content like 2024 Independence Bowl Preview!
You can like The Game Haus on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from great TGH writers!
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
