Clayton Tune's 12-yard scoring pass to Nathaniel Dell with 20 seconds remaining capped a 17-point rally and lifted Houston to a 23-16 win over the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns on Friday at Independence Stadium.

Houston (8-5) rallied from a 16-6 deficit at halftime as it capitalized on a pair of Louisiana (6-7) fumbles to earn the win in the first appearance in the Independence Bowl for both teams.

Louisiana struck first as it drove 75 yards in 15 plays with Johnny Lumpkin capping the drive with an acrobatic 4-yard scoring pass from Fields. Kenneth Almendares converted on a pair of 42-yard field goals to give the Ragin' Cajuns a 13-0 lead in the second quarter before his 32-yard boot just before the half gave Louisiana a 16-6 lead.

Houston scored on its first drive of the second half as it went 70 yards in 13 plays to close to within 16-13. Tune, who finished 19-for-28 for 216 yards and three touchdowns, capped off the drive when he connected with Dell in the back of the end zone on a 2-yard scoring pass.