2023 Independence Bowl

Based on conference tie-ins, the game featured the California Golden Bears of the Pac-12 Conference and the Texas Tech Red Raiders of the Big 12 Conference.

This was the second meeting between California and Texas Tech. The Red Raiders won their only previous meeting, defeating the Golden Bears, 45–31, in the 2004 Holiday Bowl.{{Cite web |title=Winsipedia - California Golden Bears vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders |url=https://www.winsipedia.com/california/vs/texas-tech |access-date=2023-12-03 |website=Winsipedia}}

{{Main|2023 California Golden Bears football team}}

This was California's first Independence Bowl. It was also the Golden Bears' final game as a member of the Pac-12, as they committed to join the Atlantic Coast Conference for the 2024 season.{{cite press release |url=https://theacc.com/news/2023/9/1/general-the-atlantic-coast-conference-welcomes-the-university-of-california-berkeley-southern-methodist-university-and-stanford-university-as-new-members.aspx |title=The Atlantic Coast Conference Welcomes the University of California, Berkeley, Southern Methodist University and Stanford University as New Members |publisher=Atlantic Coast Conference |date=September 1, 2023 |access-date=September 1, 2023}}

Cal opened their 2023 season by winning three of their first five games, with the losses coming to Auburn and Washington. However, Cal lost each of their subsequent four games, all to ranked Pac-12 foes. This caused them to fall to a record of 3–6, which meant that they would be eliminated from bowl contention with any further losses. However, the Golden Bears managed to win each of their final three games, with running back Jaydn Ott rushing for over 400 yards in the three wins. This allowed them to clinch bowl eligibility in the final week of the season, with a record of 6–6.

{{Main|2023 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team}}

This was Texas Tech's third Independence Bowl. The Red Raiders were 0–2 in their previous appearances, having lost the 1986 edition and the 1998 edition, both to Ole Miss.

Texas Tech lost three of their first four games to open their 2023 campaign, with the sole victory coming against FCS Tarleton State. Combined with an injury to starting quarterback Tyler Shough, Texas Tech faced an uphill battle to clinch bowl eligibility. However, the Red Raiders rebounded by winning five of their next seven games in Big 12 play, with the last being a 24–23 victory over UCF to earn the team's sixth win and become bowl-eligible. Texas Tech closed their regular season with a 7–57 loss to Texas, and entered the Independence Bowl with a record of 6–6.

{{Americanfootballbox

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|state=uncollapsed

|bg=#fff

|bg2=#eee

|title=2023 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl

|date=Friday, December 16, 2023

|time=8:15 p.m. CST

|road=California

|R1=14|R2=0|R3=0|R4=0

|home=Texas Tech

|H1=7|H2=17|H3=7|H4=3

|stadium= Independence Stadium • Shreveport, Louisiana

|attendance=33,071

|weather=Clear • Temperature: {{convert|45|F|C}} • Wind: {{convert|5|mph|kph|abbr=on}} NW

|referee=Jerry Magallanes

|TV=ESPN

|TVAnnouncers=Kevin Connors (play-by-play), Rocky Boiman (analyst), and Marilyn Payne (sideline)

|reference= [https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore/_/gameId/401551753 Box score]

|scoring=

First quarter

• CAL – Monroe Young 25-yard pass from Fernando Mendoza (Mateen Bhaghani kick), 14:45. Golden Bears 7–0. Drive: 1 play, 25 yards, 0:15.
• TTU – Coy Eakin 27-yard pass from Behren Morton (Gino Garcia kick), 4:19. Tied 7–7. Drive: 10 plays, 93 yards, 4:11.
• CAL – Jaydn Ott 1-yard run (Mateen Bhaghani kick), 2:38. Golden Bears 14–7. Drive: 5 plays, 74 yards, 1:41.

Second quarter

• TTU – Mason Tharp 15-yard pass from Behren Morton (Gino Garcia kick), 12:16. Tied 14–14. Drive: 11 plays, 65 yards, 5:22.
• TTU – Loic Fouonji 14-yard pass from Behren Morton (Gino Garcia kick), 9:49. Red Raiders 21–14. Drive: 5 plays, 59 yards, 1:42.
• TTU – Gino Garcia 25-yard field goal, 0:03. Red Raiders 24–14. Drive: 9 plays, 47 yards, 2:17.

Third quarter

• TTU – Tahj Brooks 7-yard run (Gino Garcia kick), 4:36. Red Raiders 31–14. Drive: 2 plays, 15 yards, 0:49.

Fourth quarter

• TTU – Gino Garcia 37-yard field goal, 4:08. Red Raiders 34–14. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 1:44.

}}

{{AmFootballGameStatistics

| Float = left

| Visitor = California Golden Bears

| VisitorDisplay = CAL

| Home = Texas Tech Red Raiders

| HomeDisplay = TTU

| VisFirsts = 15

| VisPlaysYds = 64–353

| VisRushing = 31–69

| VisPassYds = 284

| VisPassing = 22–33–3

| VisTOP = 26:25

| HomeFirsts = 24

| HomePlaysYds = 80–384

| HomeRushing = 36–128

| HomePassYds = 256

| HomePassing = 27–44–1

| HomeTOP = 31:02

}}

{{AmFootballGameTopPlayers

| Float = right

| Visitor = California Golden Bears

| VisitorDisplay = California

| Home = Texas Tech Red Raiders

| HomeDisplay = Texas Tech

| VisPasser = Fernando Mendoza

| VisPassStats = 22/33, 261 yards, TD, 3 INT

| VisRusher = Jaydn Ott

| VisRushStats = 16 rushes, 45 yards, TD

| VisReceiver = Trond Grizzell

| VisReceivingStats = 4 receptions, 80 yards

| HomePasser = Behren Morton

| HomePassStats = 27/43, 256 yards, 3 TD, INT

| HomeRusher = Tahj Brooks

| HomeRushStats = 22 rushes, 98 yards, TD

| HomeReceiver = Coy Eakin

| HomeReceivingStats = 7 receptions, 106 yards, TD

}}

{{clear}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• [https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/index.html?id=497004 Game statistics] at statbroadcast.com

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{{California Golden Bears bowl game navbox}}

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Independence Bowl

Category:Independence Bowl

Independence Bowl

Independence Bowl

Category:California Golden Bears football bowl games

Category:Texas Tech Red Raiders football bowl games