Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns, Houston Cougars arrive for the I-Bowl

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) — Days ahead of game day, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl contenders have arrived in Shreveport.

The Sun Belt Conference’s Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns and the American Athletic Conference’s Houston Cougars will face off Friday, Dec. 23. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. CST in Independence Stadium in Shreveport.

The players and their coaches arrived via bus Monday afternoon and evening and were given Mardi Gras beads and greeted by Santa and Independence Bowl representatives. They were fed at a welcome party later that evening complete with a sampling of Louisiana cuisine.

“I’m excited about this opportunity. Been talking to the guys all week about coming to Shreveport excited and ready to go,” said Dana Holgorsen, the University of Houston’s head football coach.

“It’s an opportunity that your team works for all year,” said the University of Louisiana at Lafayette head football coach Michael Desormeaux. “And one of your major goals of the year is to get in a bowl game and have the opportunity to win a bowl championship.”

Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns running back and Many High School alum Terrence Williams said he feels back at home. “I look at it as a blessing to come back and get to play in front of your family. Know that everybody in the community that you come from is going to be there.”

Weather conditions on game day are expected to be cold.

“Bowl games, you never know with the weather, you can’t worry about it. You got to deal with it just like your opponent does as well,” Holgorsen said. “So we got a good quality opponent. The University of Louisiana is well aware of them. We’re neighbors, just a couple hours down the road.”

Desormeaux noted: “We’ve played in some tough conditions before. It’s something that the team that handles it the best is going to go out there and play well.”

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