1977 Independence Bowl

The 1977 Independence Bowl featured the Louisville Cardinals and the Southland Conference champion Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. Louisville struck first on a 60-yard punt return for a touchdown by Kevin Miller in the first quarter. Louisiana Tech answered with a 1-yard touchdown run by Lewis to tie the game. The Bulldogs scored another touchdown on a 41-yard Keith Thibodeaux pass to Pree. Still in the first quarter, Thibodeaux threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to McCartney to increase Louisiana Tech's lead to 21–7. In the second quarter, Swiley connected on a 21-yard field goal to give the Dawgs a 24–7 halftime lead. In the third quarter, Kevin Miller scored his second touchdown of the game on a 13-yard run to close the gap to 24–14, which would end up being the final score. There were a combined 13 fumbles throughout the game.

1977 Independence Bowl
Louisville Cardinals Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (7–3–1) (8–1–2) Independent Southland Conference 14 24 Head coach:  Vince Gibson Head coach:  Maxie Lambright
1 2 3 4 Total Louisville 7 0 7 0 14 Louisiana Tech 21 3 0 0 24
Date	December 17, 1977
Season	1977
Stadium	State Fair Stadium
Location	Shreveport, Louisiana
MVP	QB Keith Thibodeaux, La. Tech (Offensive) LB Otis Wilson, UL (Defensive)
Attendance	22,223
Payout	US$75,000

Game summary

Scoring summary

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP UL La. Tech 1 13:10 UL Kevin Miller 60-yard punt return for a touchdown, Pedro Posadas kick good 7 0 1 8:49 La. Tech Charlie Lewis 1-yard touchdown run, Keith Swilley kick good 7 7 1 5:22 La. Tech George Pree 41-yard touchdown reception from Keith Thibodeaux, kick no good 7 13 1 2:21 La. Tech Larry McCartney 8-yard touchdown reception from Keith Thibodeaux, 2-point run good 7 21 2 1:49 La. Tech 21-yard field goal by Keith Swilley 7 24 3 9:52 13 58 UL Kevin Miller 13-yard touchdown run, Pedro Posadas kick good 14 24 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 14 24

Statistics

	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	7	0	7	0	14
Bulldogs	21	3	0	0	24

Statistics	UL	La. Tech
First Downs	11	25
Total offense, yards	161	335
Rushes-yards (net)	44–100	44–48
Passing yards (net)	61	287
Passes, Comp-Att-Int	9–23–1	19–39–2
Time of Possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
UL	Passing	Stu Stram	7/18, 61 yds, 1 INT
	Rushing	Nathan Poole	17 car, 50 yds
	Receiving	Mark Besanceney	2 rec, 25 yds
La. Tech	Passing	Keith Thibodeaux	19/39, 287 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Charlie Lewis	17 car, 39 yds, 1 TD
	Receiving	Rod Foppe	4 rec, 78 yds