Playing in a bowl game is a goal for Army West Point football every year. But entering the final game of the season after a loss to rival Navy was never supposed to be part of the plan.

“I’m mad at myself. I'm disappointed. I'm embarrassed at the job that I did,” said Jeff Monken, Army’s head coach. “I think our guys tried and played hard.”

The 31-13 loss to the Midshipmen earlier this month not only cost the Black Knights the Commander-In-Chief Trophy, but it also made it really difficult for Army to enjoy want has been a historic season with 11 wins and an American Athletic Conference championship.

“I think anytime you get your butt whipped, you want to get back out there and prove that's not who we are now,” Monken said. “But we got one more opportunity to play a game, and for our seniors to play and to finish out a season.”

Army (11-2) will play Louisiana Tech (5-7) on Saturday in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La. The Bulldogs got an early Christmas gift after Marshall opted due to a lack of players from transferring.

"We are excited to accept the opportunity to play in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl against a fantastic and storied program as Army," said Ryan Ivey, Louisiana Tech’s vice president and director of athletics. "I believe our football program is moving toward positive structure and the opportunity to play in this bowl adds to that momentum.”

This is the third meeting between Army and Louisiana Tech, in which the Black Knights are 2-0, including the 2013 Cotton Bowl 35-16 win. The Bulldogs will be going bowling for the first time since 2020, and finished fifth in Conference USA this year.

“This would certainly be a great win for us if we can get it to finish the season. And we're going to have to earn it against a very athletic team and very good team, well coached, and playing at home so there's going to be some challenges for us.”

Army will have to do it without Kanye Udoh. The sophomore running back, second on the team in rushing yards this year, announced after the Navy game he was entering the transfer portal. Days later, Udoh committed to Arizona State.

“That's a decision that a lot of young people are faced with now,” Monken said. “I think there were some things going on, feelers being put out through other channels. It's not permissible for coaches to contact other players in other colleges directly. But through other channels, and I think that just kind of got him thinking about the opportunities at other places.”

Monken expects Hayden Reed, Jake Rendina and Carson Smith will all get more carries in Udoh’s absence. Army is 3-0 in bowl games following a loss to Navy. A victory on Saturday would set a program record of 12 wins, the most in a single season for Army.

“We want to play our very best football game of the season on Dec. 28,” Monken said. “And that's our goal. That's my hope. And hopefully, our guys will be excited and ready to do that.”