Louisiana Tech AD: Independence Bowl Rescinded Offer

SHREVEPORT, La - After a 9-3 season and a legitimate shot at a WAC Conference title, the Louisiana Tech football team will not play in a postseason bowl game.

The athletic department responded quickly against reports that the program had declined an offer to play in the Independence Bowl in nearby Shreveport, LA.

"Contrary to media reports, at no time did I, our head coach or a member of our administration turn down an official invitation to any bowl game," said Louisiana Tech Athletics Director Bruce Van De Velde. 

"In consultation with our coach and our university president, we asked Independence Bowl officials for more time to make a decision until we could properly consider all post season options that were available to Louisiana Tech.  Unfortunately, we were not afforded that time and the decision was made to rescind the offer."

Independence Bowl Chairman Jack Andres said Tech had ample opportunity to accept an invitation to play in the bowl.

"We asked several times," Andres said. "Exra effort? When somebody doesn't wanna do that. I mean, coach Dykes made that pretty obvious in his TV announcement, and we understand why they'd wanna go to a bigger bowl. They've had a great year and we were pullin' for them."

Louisiana Tech head coach Sonny Dykes said his team had every intention of playing in the postseason.

"Under no circumstances did I ever think there was any possibility at all that we would not play in a bowl game," Dykes said. "It is a shame that our nationally recognized team and its 31 seniors have to end the season this way."

The Independence Bowl will feature a matchup between the University of Ohio and the University of Louisiana-Monroe.