Friday, December 23
Shreveport, La. / Independence Stadium
2 p.m.
University of Houston
8-5 , 5-3
23
vs
16
Louisiana
6-7 , 4-4
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Louisiana
7
9
0
0
16
Houston
0
6
7
10
23
Football Rallies in Second Half to Win Independence Bowl
12/23/2022 5:48:00 PM | Football
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Tune hits Dell in final 30 seconds to break tie and lift Cougars
SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) – University of Houston senior quarterback Clayton Tune connected with junior wideout Nathaniel Dell for a 12-yard touchdown with 20 seconds remaining, and Houston rallied from a 13-point deficit to beat Louisiana 23-16 inside Independence Stadium in the Radium Technologies Independence Bowl on Friday afternoon.
The TD pass was Tune's third of the game and 40th of the season, tying him with Western Kentucky's Austin Reed for the most in the nation. Before the winning throw, he completed a 41-yard pass to KeSean Carter on third-and-30 to move Houston into Ragin' Cajuns territory.
The Cougars (8-5) never led until that late touchdown as Tune heated up amid unseasonably cold temperatures in northwest Louisiana. It was 25 degrees at kickoff, with a wind chill of 12 degrees.
Louisiana (6-7) led 13-0 midway through the second quarter and 16-6 at halftime.
Tune, who finished 19 of 28 for 216 yards and was named the Independence Bowl Offensive MVP, led Houston on a 13-play, 70-yard drive to open the second half and hit Dell for a 2-yard touchdown that made it 16-13. Senior defensive back Art Green was named the game's Defensive MVP after recording nine tackles.
Clinging to a 3-point lead, Louisiana stuffed Houston on fourth-and-short at the Ragin' Cajuns 5-yard line midway through the third quarter, but the Cougars eventually tied the game on Kyle Ramsey's 19-yard field early in the fourth.
The Ragin' Cajuns wasted a chance to retake the lead when running back Chris Smith fumbled at the Houston 4.
Louisiana located three hours south of Shreveport, took the opening kick and orchestrated a 15-play, 75-yard drive that ended when tight end Johnny Lumpkin made a dazzling touchdown catch in the corner of the end zone.
The Cajuns got three field goals in the first half from by Kenneth Almendares (42, 42, and 22 yards). Chandler Fields finished 17 of 25 passing for 169 yards and a touchdown.
Tune's first TD toss was a 33-yarder to Carter in the second quarter. Carter finished with 104 yards on three catches, and Dell had six receptions for 44 yards and the two TDs.
ELITE COMPANY
Tune and Reed, who threw six TD passes in Wednesday's New Orleans Bowl victory over South Alabama, are three ahead of Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams of Southern California and Ohio State's C.J. Stroud. Williams still has a bowl game to play and Stroud's Buckeyes are in the College Football Playoff.
THE TAKEAWAY
Louisiana: First-year coach Michael Desormeaux guided the Ragin' Cajuns to their first losing season since 2017 (5-7). The program had posted three consecutive seasons with at least 10 victories (34-5 in that stretch).
Houston: Coach Dana Holgorsen honored one of his mentors, the late Mississippi State coach Mike Leach, by wearing a black hoodie with ''STATE'' on the front. Holgorsen played for Leach at Iowa Wesleyan and later coached under him at Texas Tech. Leach died on Dec. 12.
With the win, Holgorsen becomes the first Houston coach to lead the Cougars to multiple bowl wins since Bill Yeoman (6 victories). It also marked the first time a Cougar head coach had led the program to consecutive bowl wins since Yeoman in the 1980 Cotton Bowl Classic (Jan. 1, 1980) and 1980 Garden State Bowl (Dec. 22, 1980).
UP NEXT
Louisiana: The Ragin Cajuns remain in-state to open the 2023 season as they will host another Louisiana school, Northwestern State, on Sept. 2.
Houston: The Cougars open the 2023 campaign at home against UTSA on Sept. 2.
PRIORITY WAITLIST
Fans are encouraged to join the Houston Football Priority Waitlist today. Just $75 will hold new season tickets for the 2023 season. To get in on the excitement, click here or call the Houston Athletics Ticket Office at 713‑GO‑COOGS (462‑6647).
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023.
Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN The 46ers and The HUDDLE
Fans are invited to join the 46ers and the Huddle to directly support Houston Football. Members provide financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond operating budget. For more information about the 46ers and the Huddle, call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684) or click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Football on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarFB, and "Like" Houston Cougar Football on Facebook.
The TD pass was Tune's third of the game and 40th of the season, tying him with Western Kentucky's Austin Reed for the most in the nation. Before the winning throw, he completed a 41-yard pass to KeSean Carter on third-and-30 to move Houston into Ragin' Cajuns territory.
The Cougars (8-5) never led until that late touchdown as Tune heated up amid unseasonably cold temperatures in northwest Louisiana. It was 25 degrees at kickoff, with a wind chill of 12 degrees.
Louisiana (6-7) led 13-0 midway through the second quarter and 16-6 at halftime.
Tune, who finished 19 of 28 for 216 yards and was named the Independence Bowl Offensive MVP, led Houston on a 13-play, 70-yard drive to open the second half and hit Dell for a 2-yard touchdown that made it 16-13. Senior defensive back Art Green was named the game's Defensive MVP after recording nine tackles.
Clinging to a 3-point lead, Louisiana stuffed Houston on fourth-and-short at the Ragin' Cajuns 5-yard line midway through the third quarter, but the Cougars eventually tied the game on Kyle Ramsey's 19-yard field early in the fourth.
The Ragin' Cajuns wasted a chance to retake the lead when running back Chris Smith fumbled at the Houston 4.
Louisiana located three hours south of Shreveport, took the opening kick and orchestrated a 15-play, 75-yard drive that ended when tight end Johnny Lumpkin made a dazzling touchdown catch in the corner of the end zone.
The Cajuns got three field goals in the first half from by Kenneth Almendares (42, 42, and 22 yards). Chandler Fields finished 17 of 25 passing for 169 yards and a touchdown.
Tune's first TD toss was a 33-yarder to Carter in the second quarter. Carter finished with 104 yards on three catches, and Dell had six receptions for 44 yards and the two TDs.
ELITE COMPANY
Tune and Reed, who threw six TD passes in Wednesday's New Orleans Bowl victory over South Alabama, are three ahead of Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams of Southern California and Ohio State's C.J. Stroud. Williams still has a bowl game to play and Stroud's Buckeyes are in the College Football Playoff.
THE TAKEAWAY
Louisiana: First-year coach Michael Desormeaux guided the Ragin' Cajuns to their first losing season since 2017 (5-7). The program had posted three consecutive seasons with at least 10 victories (34-5 in that stretch).
Houston: Coach Dana Holgorsen honored one of his mentors, the late Mississippi State coach Mike Leach, by wearing a black hoodie with ''STATE'' on the front. Holgorsen played for Leach at Iowa Wesleyan and later coached under him at Texas Tech. Leach died on Dec. 12.
With the win, Holgorsen becomes the first Houston coach to lead the Cougars to multiple bowl wins since Bill Yeoman (6 victories). It also marked the first time a Cougar head coach had led the program to consecutive bowl wins since Yeoman in the 1980 Cotton Bowl Classic (Jan. 1, 1980) and 1980 Garden State Bowl (Dec. 22, 1980).
UP NEXT
Louisiana: The Ragin Cajuns remain in-state to open the 2023 season as they will host another Louisiana school, Northwestern State, on Sept. 2.
Houston: The Cougars open the 2023 campaign at home against UTSA on Sept. 2.
PRIORITY WAITLIST
Fans are encouraged to join the Houston Football Priority Waitlist today. Just $75 will hold new season tickets for the 2023 season. To get in on the excitement, click here or call the Houston Athletics Ticket Office at 713‑GO‑COOGS (462‑6647).
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023.
Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN The 46ers and The HUDDLE
Fans are invited to join the 46ers and the Huddle to directly support Houston Football. Members provide financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond operating budget. For more information about the 46ers and the Huddle, call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684) or click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Football on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarFB, and "Like" Houston Cougar Football on Facebook.
Team Stats
ULa
HOU
Total Yards
323
363
Pass Yards
194
229
Rushing Yards
129
134
Penalty Yards
64
61
1st Downs
21
22
3rd Downs
3
3
4th Downs
3
3
TOP
27:57
32:03
1st Quarter
ULa 7, HOU 0
ULa - Lumpkin,Johnny 4 yd pass from Fields,Chandler (Almendares,Kenneth kick) 15 plays, 75 yards, TOP 07:21
2nd Quarter
ULa 10, HOU 0
ULa - Almendares,Kenneth 42 yd field goal 7 plays, 39 yards, TOP 03:43
ULa 13, HOU 0
ULa - Almendares,Kenneth 42 yd field goal 4 plays, 3 yards, TOP 00:58
ULa 13, HOU 6
HOU - Carter,KeSean 33 yd pass from Tune,Clayton () 9 plays, 80 yards, TOP 03:59
ULa 16, HOU 6
ULa - Almendares,Kenneth 32 yd field goal 13 plays, 83 yards, TOP 02:51
3rd Quarter
ULa 16, HOU 13
HOU - Dell,Nathaniel 2 yd pass from Tune,Clayton (Ramsey,Kyle kick) 13 plays, 70 yards, TOP 05:33
4th Quarter
ULa 16, HOU 16
HOU - Ramsey,Kyle 19 yd field goal 8 plays, 31 yards, TOP 04:02
ULa 16, HOU 23
HOU - Dell,Nathaniel 12 yd pass from Tune,Clayton (Ramsey,Kyle kick) 6 plays, 92 yards, TOP 02:39
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
18
TD
3
YDS
229
INT
0
Players Mentioned
WR
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WR
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K
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