Independence Bowl What To Watch: Bryson Daily, Andon Thomas

Bryson Daily earned Louisiana Tech coach Sonny Cumbie’s respect before they meet in today’s Independence Bowl.

Cumbie followed Daily’s Abernathy (Texas) high school career when he was a Texas Tech assistant. Daily attended Texas Tech’s football camp.

“I wish that when I was at Texas Tech and TCU, we would have offered him so we would not have to play against him,” Cumbie said. “I have tracked him throughout his career. It’s a situation where you watch how kids handle themselves and you are glad the good guys have success. He is a great ambassador for college football, obviously Army and for the people back in West Texas.”

Daily has authored one of the best offensive seasons in Army football history, finishing sixth in the Hesiman Trophy voting. The senior captain’s 1,532 rushing yards are second in Army history. Daily needs 215 rushing yards against Louisiana Tech to pass Ahmad Bradshaw (1,746 in 2017) for the school record. He’s three rushing touchdowns away from breaking Navy’s Keenan Reynolds’ record of 31 touchdowns in a season by a quarterback.

Junior linebacker Andon Thomas needs five more tackles to reach 100 for the season. Thomas would be only the second Army player to reach the century mark in stops in the last five seasons. Leo Lowin made 100 tackles.