ETERNAL FLAMES: Liberty Welcomes 40 newcomers but returns junior dual threat quarterback

Liberty not only demonstrated under coach Jamey Chadwell that it could excel in its first season in Conference USA, but it also elevated that success to new heights.

The Flames achieved an unprecedented 13-0 regular season, capturing the league championship—its first in FBS. They also made a high-profile New Year’s Six appearance in the Fiesta Bowl, earning numerous accolades for Chadwell and the players.

Heading into this fall, Liberty is a heavy favorite to repeat their success, posing a significant challenge for any team looking to halt their momentum. Meanwhile, Chadwell is emphasizing the challenges that come with being the reigning champions and having a target on their backs.

“We have a strong core returning that has experienced and won many significant games,” Chadwell said. “While we are grateful for last season’s achievements, that was last year’s team. Our current success is based on past performance, and if we focus too much on that, we’ll quickly find ourselves struggling in this league because of the strong competition.”

Liberty welcomes 40 new players but retains junior dual-threat quarterback Kaidon Salter, who accounted for 2,876 of his 3,965 passing yards and 32 of 44 touchdowns. The Flames bring back several key skill players from a dynamic offense that led the Bowl Subdivision with 292.3 rushing yards per game and ranked fourth in total offense (499.1), impressive numbers that were overshadowed by a 45-6 defeat to Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl.

The Flames’ defense aims to bounce back from that disappointing performance, which exposed some weaknesses despite their nation-leading 21 interceptions. CJ Bazile Jr. returns, having made 49 tackles, including a team-high 10.5 for loss and three sacks. He was named the C-USA preseason defensive player of the year by league coaches.

With Western Kentucky, New Mexico State, and Jacksonville State looking to capitalize after also playing in bowls last year, the Flames must avoid a sophomore slump.

Tennessee Return

Derek Mason is back in Tennessee as the head coach at Middle Tennessee, located less than an hour east of Nashville, where he previously coached at Vanderbilt. After a year as a broadcast analyst and stints as defensive coordinator at Auburn and Oklahoma State, Mason takes over for Rick Stockstill, who was let go following a 4-8 season.

Mason acknowledged his predecessor’s offensive skills while suggesting some adjustments for the quarterbacks. “We’re incorporating aspects of that DNA alongside some West Coast offense principles and varied personnel usage,” he stated. “We’ll maintain a fast tempo, allowing our quarterback to be efficient.”

Notable Matchups

Liberty and New Mexico State will kick off conference play with a rematch of last season’s title game on Sept. 7 in Las Cruces. The Aggies will also face Texas A&M in another SEC matchup on Nov. 16. Western Kentucky starts the season against No. 5 Alabama on Aug. 31 and later visits Boston College on Sept. 28. WKU will host Liberty on Nov. 23 in a crucial late-season clash.

Standout Quarterbacks

Salter, named the C-USA preseason offensive player of the year, is featured on several award watch lists and is part of a group of three returning league quarterbacks who were among the top 35 nationally last season. He ranked 22nd, just behind Middle Tennessee junior Nicholas Vattiato, who threw for 3,489 yards. Western Kentucky’s junior TJ Finley, a transfer from Texas State, placed 31st with 3,508 yards last season.

Passing the Torch

New Mexico State promoted Tony Sanchez from receivers coach to replace Jerry Kill, who became a consultant to Vanderbilt’s coach Clark Lea. Sanchez takes over a 10-5 bowl team that shocked Auburn 31-10 on the road and was tied 35-all with Liberty in the conference championship before losing 49-35. “We know we need to have a chip on our shoulders,” said Sanchez, a former Aggie receiver. “Our journey isn’t finished. We’re navigating challenging waters, and we embrace every bit of it.”

Ascending Owls

Kennesaw State joins C-USA as its 10th member after nine years at the Football Championship Subdivision, securing three Big South titles and four playoff appearances. Last season, the Owls went 3-6 as an independent, their only losing record since starting football in 2015. Head coach Brian Bohannon redshirted nearly three-quarters of his roster in preparation for the move to FBS and is eager to see if that strategy pays off. “Many guys will be excited by the chance for an extra year that they wouldn’t have had otherwise,” Bohannon remarked.

Missouri State and Delaware are set to join C-USA next year.