2023 Season-In-Review

Record: 13-1, Loss vs. Oregon in Fiesta Bowl (45-6)

The window is open for Liberty. The Flames ran through an undefeated regular season in 2023 and earned a spot in the Fiesta Bowl. Despite being run over by Oregon, the window remains open for Liberty. The Flames will benefit from a 12-team playoff and have a chance to qualify for the ultimate prize with plenty of returning talent.

Offense: Flames return nation’s top rushing attack

Liberty built an identity last season on the ground. Kaidon Salter and running back Quinton Cooley paced an offense that rushed for 293.3 yards per game. Cooley led the team with 1,401 yards while Salter rushed for 1,089 at the quarterback position. They combined for 28 rushing scores and averaged 6.5 yards per carry combined.

Salter was not a butcher through the air but clearly excelled using his legs. He completed 61% of his passes with 32 touchdowns to just six interceptions. Salter has a chance to be one of the most explosive players in the nation this season and will do so for a team that has high expectations.

Salter will have to go into the year without CJ Daniels, who transferred to LSU after totaling 1,067 yards for the Flames. The team also added in the deadline by landing Coastal Carolina transfer Tyson Mobley.

Liberty will be a fun team to watch this season with a rushing attack that will be up there with the best in the country once again.

Defense: Unit hit hard by portal

The transfer portal is a new phenomenon in college football and Liberty is a program that can be pilfered each season if successful.

This begins in the secondary. The Flames led FBS teams with 21 interceptions last season. Kobe Singleton and Preston Hoge both hit the portal but All-American safety Bryan Green returns after leading the team with five interceptions. Amarian Williams also returns in the secondary. This unit might not be as explosive as it was in 2023 but there is plenty of upside.

Tyren Dupree is a major loss in the middle of the defense after being named the Conference-USA Defensive Player of the Year. Teylor Jackson will step up after totaling 52 tackles last season. The Flames will look to follow up a year where they allowed 24.3 points per contest.

2024 Liberty Football Schedule

• Saturday, Aug. 31: vs. Campbell
• Saturday, Sept. 7: at New Mexico State
• Saturday, Sept. 14: vs. UTEP
• Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. East Carolina
• Saturday, Sept. 28: at App State
• Tuesday, Oct. 8: vs. Florida International
• Wednesday, Oct. 23: at Kennesaw State
• Wednesday, Oct. 30: vs. Jacksonville State
• Saturday, Nov. 9: at Middle Tennessee State
• Saturday, Nov. 16: at UMass
• Saturday, Nov. 23: vs. Western Kentucky
• Friday, Nov. 29: at Sam Houston State