Marshall Withdraws from Bowl Amidst Player Exodus

Marshall University has opted out of the Independence Bowl against Army due to a significant number of players entering the transfer portal following head coach Charles Huff's departure to Southern Miss and the subsequent hiring of Tony Gibson as the new head coach. This led to an exodus of over 25 players, including all three quarterbacks, rendering the team unable to participate in the Dec. 28 game. The NCAA is now seeking a replacement team based on Academic Progress Rate scores among 5-7 teams, as no other six-win teams are available. Army, the American Athletic Conference champion with an 11-1 record, remains focused on its annual game against Navy and awaits a new opponent for the bowl game. The situation highlights ongoing challenges in college football regarding player mobility and coaching changes impacting team stability.