SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) — Trey Kukuk followed his fourth-quarter touchdown pass with a big run to set up Andrew Burnette's go-ahead plunge in a 17-point fourth quarter, and Louisiana Tech rallied to beat Coastal Carolina 23-14 on Tuesday to win the Independence Bowl.
Louisiana Tech (8-5) trailed 14-6 heading to the fourth quarter before Kukuk and Marlion Jackson teamed up for a 52-yard score on a first-down pass. The two-point pass failed and Lousiana Tech trailed 14-12 with 11:45 remaining.
Louisiana Tech forced a punt that Dedrick Latulas returned 25 yards to the Chanticleers' 49-yard line before an unnecessary roughness penalty was tacked on. Kukuk raced 29 yards to the 5 on first down and Burnette ran it in from a yard out two plays later. Kukuk passed to Burnette for two points for a 20-14 lead with 8:09 remaining.
Tad Hudson threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Dominic Knicely in the first quarter and a 16-yarder to Robby Washington in the second to put the Chanticleers up 14-3 at halftime.
Coastal Carolina outgained Louisiana Tech 248-104 in a first half that saw the two teams flagged for 17 penalties — 10 by the Chanticleers. It was the most penalties in any first half of a FBS game this season.
Freshman Kaegan Kent kicked his first two collegiate field goals and teammate John Hoyet Chance added a 51-yarder for the Bulldogs.
Kukuk completed 9 of 19 passes for 114 yards with an interception, and rushed 19 times for 104 yards.
Hudson had a career-high 311 yards on 25-for-49 passing with two interceptions. Bryson Graves had seven receptions for 110 yards.
Louisiana Tech improves 9-5-1 in 15 bowl games. Coastal Carolina falls to 2-4 in six appearances, all since 2020.
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