SHREVEPORT, La. – BYU continued preparations for the 2021 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl on Thursday in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Players, coaches and administrators participated with UAB Thursday morning in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes breakfast before preparing to practice at Loyola College Prep in the early afternoon. Quarterback Jaren Hall and defensive lineman Tyler Batty represented the team on stage along with head coach Kalani Sitake during the morning event.
After conducting its meetings through the rest of the morning, the team put in its final full practice in advance of the bowl game on Saturday. Assistant head coach Ed Lamb; offensive coordinator coach Aaron Roderick; All-America offensive lineman Clark Barrington; junior running back Lopini Katoa; and freshman linebacker Ben Bywater participated in media interviews prior to the practice at Loyola College Prep. The team also spent time after practice with some special needs residents with the Arc Caddo-Bossier agency in Louisiana who came out to see the team practice.
Some more interviews took place with ABC later in afternoon in preparation for the national broadcast on Saturday. The Bowl Committee later hosted the coaches and administrators from both schools on Thursday evening at the Chairman's Reception.
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake was also named one of 15 semifinalists for the 2021 George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year Award on Thursday. The award is presented annually by the Maxwell Football Club.
On Friday, BYU and UAB will participate in the official news conference for the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl before both teams conduct their final walk-throughs in advance of Saturday’s matchup at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana. The game kicks at 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC.