Houston Cougars quarterback Clayton Tune -effectively a fourth quarter maestro in 2022– once again saved his best for last in the 2022 Independence Bowl. As temperatures ranged in the mid-teens, Tune heated up right on time.
With the game in the balance tied at 16, Tune and star receiver Nathaniel “Tank” Dell made an in-game adjustment on an audible that led to the game-winning 12-yard touchdown pass. Cougars head coach Dana Holgorsen had no problem allowing his star quarterback make the call.
“I told yall a couple of day ago that he (Tune) was going to call a lot of the plays based on his familiarity with what they were going to do defensively,” Holgorsen offered after the game. “He changed that play (game-winning 12-yard touchdown pass to Dell) right. That’s what make this relationship (pointing to Tune and Dell) so special.”
![Donavan Mutin and Zykeius Strong enter the smoke before the Independence Bowl]( "Houston entering the field through the smoke in the 2022 Independence Bowl")
Houston defensive lineman Zykeius Strong (No. 90 pictured) and linebacker Donavan Mutin (No. 3 pictured) lead the Cougars entrance onto the field in the 2022 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl.
![Eric Garror returns a kickoff in the 2022 Independence Bowl]( "Louisiana CB-KR Eric Garror making a cut on a return")
Louisiana CB-KR Eric Garror (No. 7 pictured) returned two punts for touchdowns in 2022 for the Ragin' Cajuns. During his career, he also posted nine interceptions, three punt return TDs and 26 pass breakups.
![Noah Guzman about to tackle Louisiana's Eric Garror in the 2022 Indepdendence Bowl]( "No. 16 Noah Guzman about to meet No. 7 Eric Garror in the 2022 Independence Bowl")
Houston S Noah Guzman is about to meet Louisiana KR Eric Garror in the 2022 Independence Bowl.
![Nathaniel Dell uses jab step off of the line of scrimmage]( "Tank Dell uses speed vs. CB Trey Amos")
Dell, Jr. (No. 1 pictured) had an all-day battle with Louisiana CB Trey Amos. He uses a jab step to release from Amos off the line of scrimmage on this play.
![Tank Dell uses speed vs. CB Trey Amos]( "WR Tank Dell, Jr. beats 21 Amos off the line of scrimmage with speed")
After beating Amos off of the line of scrimmage, Dell was able to use his speed on a crossing route. The Florida native led the nation with 17 touchdown receptions in 2022 and posted 31 in a spectacular three-year run for the Cougars. Despite excellent coverage from Amos (No. 21 pictured) much of the afternoon, he caught the game-winning touchdown pass from Tune.
![Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns fans brave the temperatures of the Independence Bowl]( "Louisiana fans brave the cold in the stands at the 2022 Independence Bowl")
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns fans braved temperatures in the teens for the 2022 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana.
![Clayton Tune steps up into the pocket]( "Clayton Tune, pictured, steps up in the pocket to find a target in the pocket")
Clayton Tune (No. 3 pictured) handled the cold weather well and passed for 229 yards with three touchdown passes. He finished the year with 40 touchdown passes and is now headed to the 2023 Reese's Senior Bowl.
![Wide receiver Ke'Sean Carter (No. 8 pictured) catches a 49-yard corner route vs. Louisiana CB Eric Garror and S Bralen Trahan in the second quarter of the 2022 Independence Bowl.]( "8 Carter catches the corner route vs 24 Trahan down the field copy")
Fellow wide receiver Ke'Sean Carter (No. 8 pictured) catches a 49-yard corner route vs. Louisiana CB Eric Garror and S Bralen Trahan in the second quarter. He finished with four receptions for 104 yards and one touchdown.
![Louisiana offensive line vs. Houston defensive line in the 2022 Independence Bowl]( "Nathan Thomas (No. 50 pictured) engages No. 44 D'Anthony Jones on the edge, 55 Burton coming to block and help his teammate")
Redshirt sophomore LT Nathan Thomas (No. 50 pictured) engages Houston stalwart DL D'Anthony Jones (No. 44 pictured) on the edge to protect QB Chandler Fields during Saturday's game.
![Houston's Art Green defends a pass versus Louisiana's Neal Johnson, Jr.]( "9 Johnson, Jr. attempts to one-hand a touchdown pass but 26 Art Green in perfect coverage copy")
2022 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl defensive MVP No. 26 Art Green (9 tackles, PBU) breaks up a pass intended for Louisiana WR Neal Johnson, Jr. in the end zone during the second quarter of Friday's contest.
![Gervarrius Owens and Neal Johnson both dislodge from the ball in the end zone]( "No. 2 Gervarrius Owens and No. 9 Neal Johnson, Jr. are in perfect sync in the same position with ball in the middle copy")
Gervarrius Owens (No. 2 pictured) and Louisiana WR Neal Johnson, Jr. both go in opposite directions in full chemistry during a second quarter pass in the 2022 Independence Bowl.
![Louisiana PK Kenneth Almendares had a strong day in the 2022 Independence Bowl]( "Louisiana PK Kenneth Almendares kicks a field goal")
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns PK Kenneth Almendares kicks a field goal in the 2022 Independence Bowl. Almendares made two 42-yard field goals in the cold temperatures of Shreveport.
![Louisiana dancing after a field goal in the 2022 Independence Bowl]( "No. 88 Johnny Lumpkin, No. 45 Kenneth Almendares and No. 24 Pearse Migl dancing coming off the field")
As a result of his three-field goal performance, Almendares (pictured in the middle) practiced his dance moves with teammates Johnny Lumpkin (No. 88 pictured) and Pearse Migl (No. 24 pictured).
![2022 Independence Bowl celebration with fireworks]( "2022 Independence Bowl celebration")
Houston's Art Green, Nathaniel Dell, Clayton Tune and Ta'Zhawn Henry celebrate the 2022 Independence Bowl championship with head coach Dana Holgorsen.
