Sun Belt fines Marshall $100,000 for opting out of Independence Bowl

The Sun Belt has fined Marshall $100,000 for opting out of the Independence Bowl last month. Marshall withdrew from the Dec. 28 game in Shreveport, Louisiana, after a coaching change resulted in much of its roster jumping into the transfer portal. Louisiana Tech replaced Marshall in the game against Army, which beat the Bulldogs 27-6. The Sun Belt says the nature and timing of this decision was detrimental to the conference and others involved. In accepting the fine Friday, Marshall athletic director Christian Spears says the opt-out decision was made “for all the right reasons.”