By the Numbers: A Look Back at the 2025 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl

SHREVEPORT, La. (Feb. 3, 2026) – The 49th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl was played just over one month ago, and the 2025 version again proved why the game is so important for the Shreveport-Bossier City area.

Paid Attendance

Paid attendance of the game, which was played on Tuesday, December 30 at 1 p.m. between the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, was 30,298 fans. It is the third consecutive Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl with attendance above the 30,000 threshold. It is the first time that attendance has topped 30,000 for three or more consecutive years since 2013-2015.

ESPN Viewership

Shreveport is one of only 36 cities in the United States to host a college football bowl game, and the ESPN broadcast shines a spotlight on Shreveport to millions of viewers nationwide. The 2025 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl drew 1.8 million viewers, with the game reaching its peak of 2.6 million viewers. The 1.8 million viewers are a nearly 58 percent increase over 2024 and the highest viewership since 2022.

Additional Notes and Stats

Louisiana Tech’s victory made it the second program to capture four Independence Bowl victories, joining Ole Miss. It was the Bulldogs’ seventh Independence Bowl appearance, which is the most of any program.

Louisiana Tech quarterback Trey Kukuk was named the Offensive Player of the Game – finishing the game with 114 passing yards and one touchdown, as well as 124 rushing yards on 19 carries.  His 124 rushing yards are the fifth-most by a quarterback in Independence Bowl history, trailing 2024 Army West Point quarterback Bryson Daily by three yards for the fourth-most yards by a quarterback.

Bulldogs’ linebacker Sifa Leota was named the Defensive Player of the Game, as he led the game with nine solo tackles, 10 total tackles, two sacks, and three tackles for loss. He also recorded one forced fumble.

LA Tech kicker and punter John Hoyet Chance, who is a Captain Shreve alum, was named the first Utility Player of the Game, presented by Delta Utilities. Chance averaged 49.5 yards per punt on eight attempts, while pinning Coastal Carolina inside the 20-yard-line twice. He also made his one field goal attempt – a 51-yard attempt. His 51-yard field goal was the second-longest field goal in Independence Bowl history. 

Louisiana Tech kicker Kaegen Kent became the first Shreveport-native to score in the Independence Bowl since fellow Evangel alum Abram Booty caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Herb Tyler for LSU against Notre Dame in the third quarter of the 1997 game.

This was the first Independence Bowl to have a turnover on the first drive of the game since 2016. It was the first time there was an interception on the first drive since 2013.

The 1 p.m. CST kickoff was the earliest kickoff of an Independence Bowl since 2018, when the Duke Blue Devils and Temple Owls kicked off at 12:30 p.m. CST.

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl fans can visit OpportunityLouisiana.gov to explore why Louisiana businesses are positioned to win. 

ABOUT THE RADIANCE TECHNOLOGIES INDEPENDENCE BOWL™

Established in 1976, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl™ is college football’s 11th most historic bowl game, with the 50th anniversary set for 2026. The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs defeated the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, 23-14, in the 49th edition on December 30, 2025. Radiance Technologies is the bowl’s title sponsor through at least the 2027 Bowl Season. 

The Independence Bowl Foundation is prevalent in the Shreveport-Bossier City area throughout the year, hosting events to help enhance the economic impact and growth of our community. The Mission of the Independence Bowl is to attract and provide quality, nationally recognized football competition oriented to the Ark-La-Tex region. For more information, visit RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com or follow the bowl on Facebook, X and Instagram at @IndyBowl.