A college football team is withdrawing from its bowl game after losing more than 25 players to the transfer portal this week.
According to college football insider Ross Dellenger, the Marshall Thundering Herd have decided to opt out of their bowl game against Army. This decision follows a significant wave of transfers after the team’s choice not to renew the contract of head coach Charles Huff.
“Marshall has notified officials that it is opting out of the Independence Bowl vs. Army,” sources told @YahooSports. “With no 6-6 teams available, officials are working to find a replacement by ranking NCAA APR scores of 5-7 teams. Marshall has lost 25+ players in the portal,” Dellenger reported.
Marshall has notified officials that it is opting out of the Independence Bowl vs. Army, sources tell @YahooSports.
Absent of 6-6 teams, officials are working to determine a replacement thru a ranking of NCAA APR scores of 5-7 teams. Marshall has lost 25+ players in the portal.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 14, 2024
“The original Independence Bowl game featured two American teams because Army had a pre-existing agreement to participate before joining the league this year,” the report continued.
New head coach Tony Gibson recently held a meeting with the team and hopes to retain several players who have entered the transfer portal. He acknowledges that the decision to transfer can be an “emotional” one for young athletes.
“Any time coaches leave to take other jobs, it is emotional,” Gibson said at a news conference Thursday, via ESPN. “Young athletes, aged 18 to 22, often make emotional decisions rather than taking a moment to pause.”
As Army prepares for one of college football’s biggest rivalry games this afternoon, the team will be eagerly awaiting news of a new opponent for its bowl game.
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