Flyover for Independence Bowl to Feature Three B-52s

SHREVEPORT, La. (Dec, 9, 2021) – The 2021 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl kicks off at 2:30 p.m. CST, and the fans will be welcomed to the stadium with a unique flyover just before kickoff – featuring three B-52 bombers from Barksdale Air Force Base.

“We are pleased to see the fantastic support from Barksdale’s airmen for this year’s Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl,” said Radiance Technologies CEO Bill Bailey. “Like the airmen at Barksdale AFB, our employee owners are dedicated to the ideals of integrity, service and excellence, and this is reflected in everything we do. We are proud of our association with all the branches of the military, and we look forward to a great game.”

Each year, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl ceremoniously begins with the National Anthem, color guard and a flyover. For the 45th edition of the game in 2021, the kickoff will be preceded by the flyover of three B-52s from Barksdale Air Force Base. Each bomber aircraft will be operated by air crew members from the 20th, 96th and the 343rd bomb squadrons. Barksdale will also be providing the honor guard for the National Anthem and Airmen to present the awards at the game – the Omar N. Bradley “Spirit of Independence” Award, Offensive and Defensive Players of the Game and the championship trophy.

The 45th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl will kick off on Saturday, December 18 at 2:30 p.m. CST on ABC, and the matchup is set, as the No. 13 BYU Cougars will take on Conference USA’s UAB Blazers in Shreveport. 

Ranked No. 13 in the final College Football Playoff Rankings, BYU will be the highest-ranked team to play in an Independence Bowl in the game’s 45-year history. The last and highest-ranked team entering an Independence Bowl was LSU in 1997, when the Tigers entered the bowl ranked No. 15. 

Tickets for the 45th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. CST are available now at RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com/tickets/. Tickets start at just $30 for endzone bench seats and are $45 for sideline bench. Call the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl office at 318.221.0712 or toll-free at 888.414.BOWL for more information.

ABOUT THE RADIANCE TECHNOLOGIES INDEPENDENCE BOWL™:

Established in 1976, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl™ is the nation’s 11th-oldest bowl game. The 45th edition will match up No. 13 BYU against UAB on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. CST on ABC. Louisiana Tech recorded the first shutout in the game’s history with a 14-0 victory over Miami in the 44th Independence Bowl in 2019. The Independence Bowl Foundation announced a one-year extension with Radiance Technologies – ensuring they will be the title sponsor through 2025. The bowl’s conference and team agreements, as well as the television agreement, also run through the 2025 season. Army West Point and BYU are slated to matchup against a rotation of the Pac-12 Conference, American Athletic Conference and Conference USA, which will be televised on an ESPN network.

The Independence Bowl Foundation is prevalent in the Shreveport-Bossier City area throughout the year, hosting events to help enhance the economic impact and growth of our community. The Mission of the Independence Bowl is to attract and provide quality, nationally recognized football competition oriented to the Ark-La-Tex region. For more information, visit RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com or follow the bowl on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @IndyBowl.