by Malcolm Butler
Two weeks after it thought its season had come to an end, Louisiana Tech is now preparing for a bowl game.
The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl announced today that Marshall has pulled out of the game and Louisiana Tech will replace the Thundering Herd in the December 28 match-up with Army.
Tech AD Ryan Ivey said that the conversation about it being a possibility began earlier this week, but it really heated up late Friday night.
“We began talking in earnest last night about 10:30 p.m.,” said Ivey. “We had an initial call earlier in the week about it being a possibility, but at that time it looked like Marshall would still be able to play.
“Then last night I got a call around 10:30 p.m. and it became more and more of a real possibility.”
Following its win over UL-Lafayette in the Sun Belt Conference championships game, Marshall head coach Charles Huff departed to take the job at Southern Miss. Following Huff’s announcement, a majority of Marshall players followed suit, entering the transfer portal.
According to ESPN Senior Writer Adam Rittenberg, Marshall had 36 players in the transfer portal – 17 of those from the team’s two-deep, including starting QB and Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year Braylon Braxton.
With no other 6-6 teams available, the Independence Bowl turned to 5-7 teams.
“When there aren’t enough team to quality for bowls, they go to APR to determine the order and it’s based off the multi-year rate,” said Ivey, referring to the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate. “Then it’s up to the teams to say yes or no.”
With most schools on the semester system, many have already left for winter break. Louisiana Tech is on the quarter system and the winter quarter began two weeks ago.
Ivey said he had numerous conversations with Bulldog head coach Sonny Cumbie before telling the bowl officials that the Bulldogs would play.
“We talked about if we are going to have enough players to field a competitive team,” said Ivey. “We wanted to make sure we have a chance to compete knowing Army is such a strong opponent. We obviously had to be prepared for that. After those conversations we feel we are in a good spot.
“Our guys are excited to play. I know the season didn’t go our way, but this is a positive for our program in many ways.”
Ivey confirmed the new offensive coordinator Tony Franklin is already on campus and would be a part of the staff heading into the bowl game.
This will be Tech’s sixth appearance in the Independence Bowl. Most recently, the Bulldogs won the 2008 Independence Bowl over Northern Illinois 17-10 and the 2019 Independence Bowl over Miami 14-0.
Army is 11-1 heading into today’s annual match-up against Navy. The Black Knights won the American Athletic Conference title game 35-14 over Tulane.
