Marshall opts out of Independence Bowl for surprising reason

The Sun Belt Conference champion Marshall Thundering Herd will not be participating in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl this season.

Instead, Louisiana Tech will replace them to face No. 22 Army in Shreveport on Dec. 28.

According to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg, Marshall is unable to field a competitive team due to 36 players entering the transfer portal following head coach Charles Huff's departure for Southern Mississippi.

All three of the program's quarterbacks also entered the portal, leaving it without a starter for what was supposed to be the final game of the year.

Defensive coordinator Tony Gibson was hired to replace Huff shortly after his departure but that was not enough to quell the mass exodus.

Now, Marshall's season will officially have ended with its 31-3 stampeding over Louisiana in the Sun Belt Championship Game.

Huff addressed the failed contract negotiations with the school and how his exit was affecting the program when he was introduced at Southern Mississippi on Dec. 12.