Late-season surges bring California, Texas Tech to 2nd-ever meeting, this time in Independence Bowl

Sun, Dec 3, 2023
NCAAF News (AP)

California (6-6, 4-5 Pac-12) vs. Texas Tech (6-6, 5-4 Big 12), Dec. 16, 9:15 p.m. ET

LOCATION: Shreveport, La.

TOP PLAYERS

Cal: RB Jaydn Ott, Pac-12-best 1,260 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns.

Other news No. 22 Oklahoma State tries for 10-win season when it faces Texas A&M in Texas Bowl Fresno State heading to familiar turf to face New Mexico State in the New Mexico Bowl James Madison and its stingy rush defense will face run-happy Air Force in Armed Forces Bowl

Texas Tech: RB Tahj Brooks, fourth nationally with 1,443 rushing yards, nine touchdowns.

NOTABLE

Cal: The Bears lost four straight to ranked teams, then won their final three games to get bowl eligible.

Texas Tech: The Red Raiders won their first three November games to achieve bowl eligibility before losing 57-7 to College Football Playoff-bound Texas.

LAST TIME

Texas Tech defeated Cal 45-31 in the 2004 Holiday Bowl in San Diego.

BOWL HISTORY

Cal: First appearance in the Independence Bowl, 25th bowl overall.

Texas Tech: Third Independence bowl and 41st bowl appearance overall.

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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll