Just before the New Year’s Eve bowl games, the Independence Bowl will kick off on Tuesday at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana. This bowl game will pit the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, with both teams seeking to end their 2025 campaign with a win. The game will kick off at 2:00 PM ET.
Both teams are dealing with injuries and players opting out due to the transfer portal and the NFL draft. Here’s a list of players who are expected to miss the game:
Independence Bowl: Coastal Carolina vs. LA Tech Opt-Outs And Injury Report
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
- LT Nick Del Grande: Opted out, transfer portal, also injured
- RT Joseph Hanson: Will play but is entering the transfer portal
- QB Samari Collier: Injured, questionable
- CB Myles Mooyoung: Injured, questionable
- LB Shane Bruce: Injured, questionable
- S Dante Thomas: Injured, questionable
Samari Collier has been dealing with a knee injury over the last month and has missed Coastal Carolina’s last two games. If he misses this game, Tad Hudson is expected to suit up in his place.
The team will not have as many transfer portal problems as other teams, but they are playing without a head coach. Defensive coordinator Jeremiah Johnson will lead the team in the bowl game after Tim Beck was fired. Missouri State head coach Ryan Beard is expected to take over next season.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
- S Michael Richard: Opted out, transfer portal
- S Jacob Fields: Opted out, transfer portal
- LB Mekhi Mason: Opted out, transfer portal
- CB Jamal Shelby: Opted out, transfer portal
- QB Evan Bullock: Opted out, transfer portal, also injured
- QB Blake Baker: Injured, confirmed out
- LB Kolbe Fields: Injured, questionable
- RT Kenneth Bannister: Injured, questionable
With Blake Baker out for the season, Trey Kukuk is expected to be the starting quarterback for the Independence Bowl. He has started their last two games, and this one may be no different, especially as fellow QB Evan Bullock is also leaving.
Related:
Bryce Underwood Transfer Portal Update: Top 3 Destinations for Michigan’s Five-Star Freshman
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
