| Year Game Played: | 1978 |
| Game Name: | Independence Bowl |
| Football Season: | 1978 |
| Visitor Name Short: | East Carolina |
| Visitor Nickname: | Pirates |
| Visitor School: | East Carolina University |
| Home Name Short: | Louisiana Tech |
| Home Nickname: | Bulldogs |
| Home School: | Louisiana Tech University |
| Visitor Record: | 8 - 3 |
| Visitor Conference: | Independent |
| Home Record: | 6 - 4 |
| Home Conference: | Southland Conference |
| Visitor Coach: | Pat Dye |
| Home Coach: | Maxie Lambright |
| Visitor 1Q: | 14 |
| Visitor 2Q: | 7 |
| Visitor 3Q: | 7 |
| Visitor 4Q: | 7 |
| Home 1Q: | 0 |
| Home 2Q: | 10 |
| Home 3Q: | 3 |
| Home 4Q: | 0 |
| Date Game Played: | December 16 |
| Stadium: | State Fair Stadium |
| City: | Shreveport, Louisiana |
| Mvp: | FB Theodore Sutton, ECU (Offensive) DE Zack Valentine, ECU (Defensive) |
| Referee: | Vance Carlson (Big Eight) |
| Attendance: | 31,054 |
| Payout: | 100,000 |
| Us Network: | Mizlou |
In the 1978 Independence Bowl, the East Carolina Pirates defeated the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs .
The East Carolina Pirates forced four fumbles and intercepted Louisiana Tech Bulldogs quarterback Eric Barkley three times en route to victory. ECU took control of the game early, scoring twice in the first quarter. The Pirates pushed their lead to 21-0 on a touchdown run early in the second quarter. The Bulldogs answered less than two minutes later with a 32-yard touchdown strike. Tech cut the lead to 21-10 with a 36-yard field goal less than a minute before the end of the half. Tech's Swilley kicked another 36-yard field goal six minutes into the third quarter. Pirate running back Theodore Sutton ran 45 yards for a touchdown with seven minutes remaining in the quarter. The Pirates scored another touchdown late in the game. ECU totaled 278 yards rushing, while holding the Bulldogs to 12 yards on the ground.[1]
| Statistics | ECU | La. Tech |
|---|---|---|
| First Downs | 17 | 18 |
| Total offense, yards | 332 | 275 |
| Rushes-yards (net) | 67–278 | 33–12 |
| Passing yards (net) | 54 | 263 |
| Passes, Comp-Att-Int | 4–13–0 | 18–52–3 |
| Time of Possession | ||
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECU | Passing | Leander Green | 4/13, 54 yds |
| Rushing | Theodore Sutton | 17 car, 143 yds, 1 TD | |
| Receiving | Terry Gallaher | 3 rec, 33 yds | |
| La. Tech | Passing | Eric Barkley | 12/39, 160 yds, 3 INT |
| Rushing | 6 car, 28 yds | ||
| Receiving | Scooter Spruiell | 7 rec, 130 yds, 1 TD |