Louisiana Tech quarterback Evan Bullock and the Bulldogs will take on Army in the Independence Bowl after Marshall opted out. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
The Independence Bowl has found its replacement team, with Louisiana Tech filling in after Marshall opted out. The 5-7 Louisiana Tech announced Saturday that it would be taking over the vacant spot in the bowl, and would compete against No. 19 Army.
Earlier on Saturday, sources told Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger that Marshall had withdrawn from the Dec. 28 game against Army because it has so many players in the transfer portal.
Louisiana Tech will replace Marshall in the Independence Bowl, the game announces.
Several power conference schools were ranked ahead of Louisiana Tech in APR among 5-7 teams, but the timing of Marshall’s announcement made it difficult for many to commit to the game. pic.twitter.com/NhjM0I5lSx
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 14, 2024
Marshall won the Sun Belt title game a week ago to finish the season at 10-3. But it was the last game at the school for coach Charles Huff. He’s now the coach at Southern Miss after he was in the last year of a four-year deal with the Thundering Herd.
Huff’s departure led to many players transferring from the program. Players have the ability to freely enter the transfer portal after a coaching change. Marshall has already announced that NC State defensive coordinator Tony Gibson would be Huff’s successor.
There were no teams 6-6 or better who missed a bowl game, meaning that a 5-7 team would be selected to fill the spot. Louisiana Tech was next in line based on its Academic Progress Rate among 5-7 teams.
However, getting called in to playing a bowl game on late notice isn’t easy, especially if a school’s winter break has already started. The game will take place on Dec. 28.
Army isn’t an easy opponent to prepare for with its triple-option offense, either. The Black Knights are 11-1 after beating Tulane in the AAC title game and could finish 12-1 with a win over Navy on Saturday.
