Marshall University declines invitation to participate in Independence Bowl [Video]

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) — The Thundering Herd will not be participating in the Independence Bowl, according to Marshall University.

This decision comes after Marshall claimed its first Sun Belt Conference championship. Following this victory, the team received an invitation to the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl on December 28th, where they would have competed in a matchup against Army– which is a top 25 program.

In a press release Saturday, the university notes this is a “difficult decision to decline our invitation.” The university goes on to say in part, “Recent changes in the status of key personnel, when combined with the implications of the shifting landscape of college athletics including NIL and the transfer portal, have significantly impacted our team’s roster. At this moment, our football program’s participation numbers create a major concern for the health and safety of our current student athletes to compete in a safe, viable manner.”

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