La Tech is replacing them.
Sucks for the Marshall players who would have played. Seniors lose their final game, a Bowl game at that. Backups that would otherwise never get a college start, or in some cases maybe not get into a game at all, don't get the "I started/played one game in college and it was a Bowl game" story. There's what, roughly 60-75 players still on the roster/in the program? Seems enough to play.
Reminds me of our local high school rivalry game last year. One team was undefeated and blowing everyone out. The other team only had 2 wins and their starting QB got injured the prior game and would be out. The Friday morning of the game, that day, the school decided to forfeit and said it couldn't play because it was "missing too many starters." In reality, they were missing ONE starter (QB) but also knew they'd get blown out even if he was playing. But that took a final game away from the Seniors, including that it was their Senior Night game!
Different generation, different thinking. I can't imagine two and a half decades ago when I was playing HS and a cup of coffee of college sports ever forfeiting or opting-out (as a team/program) of a game, etc.. Especially HS rivalry game or Bowl game.