The Independence Bowl has discovered its substitute staff, with Louisiana Tech filling in after Marshall opted out. The 5-7 Louisiana Tech introduced Saturday that it will be taking up the vacant spot within the bowl, and would compete in opposition to No. 19 Army.
Earlier on Saturday, sources informed Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger that Marshall had withdrawn from the Dec. 28 recreation in opposition to Army as a result of it has so many gamers within the switch portal.
Louisiana Tech will change Marshall within the Independence Bowl, the sport pronounces.
Several energy convention faculties have been ranked forward of Louisiana Tech in APR amongst 5-7 groups, however the timing of Marshall’s announcement made it tough for a lot of to decide to the sport. pic.twitter.com/NhjM0I5lSx
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 14, 2024
Marshall gained the Sun Belt title recreation every week in the past to complete the season at 10-3. But it was the final recreation on the college for coach Charles Huff. He’s now the coach at Southern Miss after he was within the final yr of a four-year take care of the Thundering Herd.
Huff’s departure led to many gamers transferring from this system. Players have the power to freely enter the switch portal after a training change. Marshall has already introduced that NC State defensive coordinator Tony Gibson could be Huff’s successor.
There have been no groups 6-6 or higher who missed a bowl recreation, that means {that a} 5-7 staff could be chosen to fill the spot. Louisiana Tech was subsequent in line primarily based on its Academic Progress Rate amongst 5-7 groups.
However, getting referred to as in to taking part in a bowl recreation on late discover isn’t straightforward, particularly if a faculty’s winter break has already began. The recreation will happen on Dec. 28.
Army is not a simple opponent to organize for with its triple-option offense, both. The Black Knights are 11-1 after beating Tulane within the AAC title recreation and will end 12-1 with a win over Navy on Saturday.
