Louisiana Tech Blanks Miami in Independence Bowl

The Miami Hurricanes were reduced to a slight breeze as the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs earned a 14-0 victory in the 2019 Walk-On’s Independence Bowl.

The Bulldogs held Miami to just 227 total yards of offense despite their best defensive player, Amik Robertson, sitting out the game to prepare for the NFL draft.

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Early in the second quarter, Tech quarterback J’Mar Smith narrowly avoided a sack as he connected with Israel Tucker for a 26-yard touchdown to give Tech the lead. Smith later scored on an 8-yard run with 1:15 to play in the game to seal it.

The Canes rotated three quarterbacks as they searched for answers. Jarren Williams threw for 94 yards, N’Kosi Perry threw for 52 and Tate Martell threw one pass for seven yards. Both Williams and Perry threw interceptions, and Williams also fumbled.

Smith didn’t have his best game in his final appearance for Tech, but it got the job done. He threw for 163 yards and a touchdown with one interception.

Justin Henderson won offensive MVP honors. The junior running back rushed 22 times for 95 yards. Miami as a team rushed for 74 yards.

Senior Connor Taylor was named defensive MVP. He led Tech with six solo tackles, 1.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles for loss.

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With the win, Tech finishes the season 10-3. This is the Bulldogs’ first 10-win season at the FBS level and first overall since 1984. Tech has also finished six consecutive seasons with a bowl victory under Skip Holtz. Tech had six bowl appearances all time prior to his arrival with just two wins.

This also marks the second win against a Power 5 school under Holtz. The first was the victory over Illinois in the 2014 Heart of Dallas Bowl, which started the bowl game winning streak.

This was Tech’s first shutout win since defeating New Mexico State 44-0 on senior day in 2011 to clinch the WAC title.

Miami falls to 0-2 against Conference USA this season after previously losing to FIU in Marlins Park.