🏈 LA Tech declines bowl; NIU in Orange Bowl

[PhillyGirl]

Just thought these were interesting/strange/cool stories.

Tech turned down their bowl bid to play their rival, ULM, in the Independence Bowl. Um, what? I feel really bad for the players .. This is the kind of game a lot of teams would hope for: a rival on the 'big' stage. Hmm ..

NIU as the BCS buster is pretty exciting though. NIU's QB quietly had a fantastic year, so it's nice to see him get some love on a larger stage than the MAC. I think it will be a closer game (vs. FSU) than people expect, though.

 

[planomateo]

I'm not sure LaTech declined, just waited to long for something better.

 

[TerryP]

I'm not sure LaTech declined, just waited to long for something better.

That's not how I've heard the story Matt.

You're right they were hoping for a better slot than the Indy bowl. The Indy bowl wanted an answer and moved on after La Tech tried to "soft play" their invitation. They (La Tech) had their eyes set on the Heart of Dallas bowl. When they (HOD) went with a Big12 team La Tech was left out in the cold.

It's a shame. But, there's no one to blame except the La Tech administration. In a way it reminds me of 2005 when LSU had all the right in the world to get the Cotton bowl invite but their administration had higher hopes. Coach Moore spent a lot of time with the Cotton bowl officials and managed to secure an invitation based on early negotiations. LSU tried to get back in the talks, but too little too late.