EL PASO, Texas (AP) – Christian McCaffery isn’t at the Sun Bowl with his Stanford teammates. That doesn’t mean the star running back hasn’t been a topic of discussion.
McCaffrey helped spark a national discussion when he decided to skip not only his senior season for the NFL but Friday’s bowl game pitting the No. 16 Cardinal (9-3) against North Carolina (8-4). LSU’s Leonard Fournette is skipping a bowl game, too, and some argued the players were leaving their teams in the lurch even as their teammates and coaches defended the decisions.
“Well, we would be lying if we said we weren’t a little disappointed, but at the same time we are also understanding,” Sun Bowl executive director Bernie Olivas said.
North Carolina junior quarterback Mitch Trubisky has thrown for more than 3,500 yards, has completed just under 70 percent of his passes and completed 28 touchdowns against just four interceptions. However, he won’t make a decision on his future until after the Sun Bowl.
“I respect it,” Trubisky said of McCaffery’s choice. “It’s a business decision and he’s a smart kid. He’s doing what’s best for him, and no one else is going through that situation except for him.”