Coastal Carolina vs. Louisiana Tech Opt-Out Tracker, Transfers, Injuries, Starting Lineups, Best Bet for Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs will take on the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl on Tuesday afternoon in a quasi-home game for the Bulldogs. Jack Borovitz analyzes this Coastal Carolina vs. Louisiana Tech transfer portal and opt-out tracker for Tuesday, December 30th in the Independence Bowl.
Jack Borovitz - December 30, 2025, 12:30 PM EST
5 Minute ReadCoastal Carolina vs. Louisiana Tech Preview: Who Is Opting-Out, Injured for Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl on Tuesday, December 30th
The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl brings a program in transition against a program with home-field proximity. Louisiana Tech sits as a -9.5 favorite after the line opened at -7, a 2.5-point move that reflects Coastal Carolina's coaching uncertainty and offensive line depletion. The Bulldogs play an hour from campus at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, while the Chanticleers travel from Conway, South Carolina, with an interim coach and questions at quarterback. One team finished strong with wins over Liberty and Missouri State, the other has collapsed down the stretch with three straight losses.
Coastal Carolina enters navigating program upheaval after firing head coach Tim Beck. Defensive coordinator Jeremiah Johnson, who served as Louisiana Tech's DC before joining Coastal prior to the season, takes over as interim before he too leaves, going to Kansas State to coach defensive backs. Johnson knows the Bulldogs' personnel and understands Sonny Cumbie's offensive tendencies from his time in Ruston, creating a unique familiarity angle. QB Samari Collier missed the final two games with a knee injury, his status remains uncertain. If Collier can't play, Tad Hudson would start. Hudson completed 114 of 205 passes for 942 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions this season.
Louisiana Tech has quarterback uncertainty but finished with momentum. Starting QB Blake Baker suffered an injury in Week 11 and is out for the year. Backup Evan Bullock has entered the transfer portal. Trey Kukuk started the final two games and should get the nod in the bowl. Kukuk completed 66.3 percent of his passes with a 2/3 touchdown-to-interception ratio over 86 attempts. His biggest impact came on the ground, where he averaged 6.2 yards per carry and finished as the team's second-leading rusher. Coach Sonny Cumbie enters next season on thin ice after posting an 18-31 record over four seasons, making this bowl a statement game for program direction.
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Coastal Carolina vs. Louisiana Tech Date, Time, and Where to Watch Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl
- Date: Tuesday, December 30, 2025
- Time: 2:00 PM ET
- How to Watch: ESPN
Coastal Carolina vs. Louisiana Tech Odds
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl | Odds |
|---|---|
Coastal Carolina +9.5 (-110) | Louisiana Tech -9.5 (-110) |
Coastal Carolina ML (+275) | Louisiana Tech ML (-345) |
Over 51.5 Total Points | Under 51.5 Total Points |
Click here for the latest Coastal Carolina vs. Louisiana Tech Odds
Coastal Carolina vs. Louisiana Tech Opt-Outs Tracker & Injuries
Coastal Carolina Transfer Portal
- LT Nick Del Grande (663 snaps)
- RT Joseph Hanson (572 snaps)
Coastal Carolina Injuries
- QB Samari Collier (missed final two games with a knee injury)
- LT Nick Del Grande (missed final two games; in portal now)
- CB Myles Mooyoung (missed final two games)
- LB Shane Bruce (hurt W11; 306 snaps)
- S Dante Thomas (missed final two games; 247 snaps)
Tad Hudson would start at QB if Collier can't go.
Coastal Carolina Coaching Changes
The Chants fired head coach Tim Beck. Defensive coordinator Jeremiah Johnson will serve as the interim head coach for the bowl.
Louisiana Tech Transfer Portal
- QB Evan Bullock
- S Michael Richard (603 snaps)
- S Jacob Fields (775 snaps)
- LB Mekhi Mason (675 snaps)
Expect Trey Kukuk to start at QB in the bowl. He started the final two games.
Louisiana Tech Injuries
- QB Blake Baker (hurt in Week 11; out for year)
- LB Kolbe Fields (out since Week 5; 297 snaps)
- RT Kenneth Bannister (out since Week 7; 306 snaps)
Coastal Carolina vs. Louisiana Tech Odds Breakdown - Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl
Coastal Carolina lost both starting offensive tackles, creating protection issues against Louisiana Tech's physical defensive front. Del Grande missed the final two games before entering the portal, while Hanson also left. The Chanticleers managed just 4.84 yards per play during the regular season, ranking 103rd nationally in scoring at 22.8 points per game. Leading receiver Cameron Wright totaled 24 catches for 274 yards. Bryson Graves led the team with 29 catches but averaged just eight yards per reception. This offense lacks explosiveness, and without stable tackle play, Hudson or Collier will face constant pressure.
Louisiana Tech lost its entire starting secondary to the transfer portal but has offensive firepower that Coastal can't match. RB Caleb Thevenin rushed for 605 yards and eight touchdowns, leading a ground game that ranked 18th nationally at 202.4 yards per game. Kukuk's mobility adds another dimension, giving the Bulldogs a dual-threat option that stresses defenses in different ways. TE Emit Finley caught 37 passes for 440 yards, providing a reliable target in the middle of the field. The Bulldogs averaged 27.7 points per game and ranked 35th nationally with 4.8 yards per carry.
Coastal's defense allowed 33.9 points per game and ranked 128th nationally, giving up 5.3 yards per rush. Louisiana Tech's power running game should control tempo and limit possessions. The Chanticleers finished the season getting blasted 59-10 by James Madison after losses to Georgia Southern and South Carolina. That three-game losing streak reflects a team that folded when adversity hit. Louisiana Tech won its final two games, showing stability down the stretch even without Baker at quarterback.
From a market perspective, the line raised from -7 to -9.5 toward Louisiana Tech, reflecting sharp action on the Bulldogs. Public money (62 percent) hammered the favorite after the Bulldogs' strong finish. The total dropped from 52.5 to 51.5, suggesting respect for Louisiana Tech's defense despite the secondary losses. Coastal went 9-3 to the Over this season, but those numbers reflected bad defensive play rather than offensive capability. Louisiana Tech went 3-0 ATS this season when favored by seven or more points.
Coastal Carolina vs. Louisiana Tech Best Bet
- Pick: Louisiana Tech -9.5 (-110) Check out these best odds on DraftKings Sportsbook
Louisiana Tech has the better team, plays an hour from campus, and finished with momentum. Coastal lost both starting tackles, faces quarterback uncertainty, and collapsed down the stretch. Johnson's familiarity with Louisiana Tech's personnel creates an interesting subplot, but the Bulldogs have superior talent and stability where it matters. Betting on a two possession lead or more with a team that went 3-0 ATS as big favorites is the right side in Shreveport.
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