THURSDAY’S GAMES

INDEPENDENCE BOWL Records:

TV:

Series: WHAT’S AT STAKE:

Miami (6-6) vs. Louisiana Tech (9-3)

4 p.m., ESPN. Miami by 6.

Miami leads, 4-0.

Miami is trying to finish the season with a winning record. Louisiana Tech wants a

10-win season for the first time at the FBS level, and could give Skip Holtz his first 10-win season as a head coach since he guided Connecticut to 10wins in 1998. Louisiana Tech’s passing against Miami’s secondary. The Bulldogs are averaging 277 yards through the air per game, while Miami is giving up just under 200 passing yards per game.

KEY MATCHUP: Miami: Line: PLAYERS TO WATCH Louisiana Tech:

QB J’Mar Smith missed two games for a suspension after he was found to be in violation of athletic department policy. The Bulldogs were 8-1at the time, then dropped their next two games.

LB Shaquille Quarterman, if he starts as expected, will be playing in the 52nd game of his career. He started them all, never missing a game in four seasons.

Louisiana Tech’s best defensive player, cornerback Amik Robertson, won’t play as he preps for draft . ... Miami is the worst team in the country at converting third downs, ranking 130th out of 130. Louisiana Tech’s third-down defense entered bowl season ranked 32nd nationally . ... Miami might want to start fast — Tech is 7-0this season and 47-11 all-time under Holtz when leading at halft . ... Miami coach Manny Diaz was on Holtz’s staff at Tech in 2014. ... Hurricanes are 1-8in their last nine bowls since 2007.

FACTS & FIGURES: QUICK LANE BOWL Records:

TV:

Series: WHAT’S AT STAKE: Line: