By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
Army has something to prove Saturday night in the 48th Annual Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl.
So does Louisiana Tech, which got a late invitation to the festivities and is sensitive to detractors saying the Bulldogs are unworthy bowl participants.
The Black Knights, 11-2 and ranked 19th in the AP Top 25, could be excused for their first loss, a blowout at the hands of national championship contender Notre Dame. But they are still, and forever will be, miserable about the other defeat, two weeks ago to arch-rival Navy, 31-13.
“We have the opportunity to get a bad taste out of our mouth, with an extra game here. That’s our goal right now, to fight our tails off and get a last win in this brotherhood,” said Army quarterback Bryson Daily.
The Bulldogs, 5-7, might have no business playing Saturday. They didn’t reach the six-win minimum to be bowl-eligible and had stored the equipment after finishing with a 33-0 domination of Kennesaw State.
But two weeks later, they were the best available-and-willing replacement for Sun Belt Conference champion/scaredy cat Marshall, which declined its invite to Shreveport five days after saying yes, apparently unable and certainly unwilling to field a team, blaming player defections following a coaching change.
Army coach Jeff Monken will tell anybody who listens, Louisiana Tech was very close to six, seven or even an eight-win season. The Bulldogs dropped three overtime games, one resulting from a 50-yard Hail Mary pass on the final play of regulation by Conference USA champion Jacksonville State.
While Tech struggled offensively all season, averaging just 22 points, the Bulldogs bit hard on the other side of the ball, ranking 11th nationally in total defense (302 yards allowed pg).
“As described by an opposing coach is, they are ‘salty on defense.’ They lost some really close games,” Monken said. “I’m really impressed with their personnel. They are very athletic.”
They are also sending mixed signals offensively. Bulldogs coach Sonny Cumbie hired Tony Franklin as offensive coordinator after the season finale and Franklin has been in Ruston all month, involved to some degree with preparations for the bowl game. Cumbie has been circumspect about Franklin’s role, citing the learning curve with terminology and personnel as possible stumbling blocks. Monken said Army has had to prepare for Tech as it operated before Franklin, and Tech influenced by Franklin, and will adjust as the game unfolds.
The Black Knights’ defense ranks 12th in the country, giving up 304 yards per game. The Bulldogs offense ranks 105th with a 342.5-yard average.
Army’s offense is a known quantity, with the nation’s No. 1 rushing attack (299 ypg), guided by a quarterback who was sixth in voting for the Heisman Trophy. Daily is one touchdown away from becoming only the third FBS player in 25 seasons to run for 1,500 yards and score 30 TDs.
“Bryson had a special year. He’s a really good player, a great leader, coach’s kid, just a rugged, tough football player,” said Monken. “I’ve always said the quarterback at Army can be a Heisman Trophy candidate because we’ve got a platform to put a good player out there in front of the country. He got an opportunity to showcase his ability as a runner this year. It was really nice to see him be recognized.”
He operates behind a unit that won the Joe Moore Award as the nation’s best offensive line. That’s a distinction that has the full attention of Bulldog defenders like end Mycol Clark, playing his final game
“Any time as a defensive lineman, you want to go against the best, and playing against the best offensive line in college football, that’s a great challenge,” he said.
Tech’s best offensive threat, Shreveport native Tru Edwards, was born five blocks from Independence Stadium, so even though the explosive receiver has entered the transfer portal, he embraced the bowl invitation.
He is by far the most prominent among 10 local players on the Bulldogs’ roster. One, Captain Shreve freshman John Chance, may begin the game handling the kickoff. In that capacity he steps in for another Bulldog in the portal, leading scorer Buck Buchanan, who was the team’s only experienced placement kicker.
Kickoff is 8:15 Saturday night at Independence Stadium with ESPN television coverage.
Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com