Today, we continue our series of an early look ahead to the teams on Liberty’s 2026 schedule. We will give a quick preview of all 12 teams that stand in the Flames’ way of hoping to get back to another bowl trip and potentially a second CUSA championship as fourth-year head coach Jamey Chadwell prepares his team for the upcoming season.
Previous:
James Madison
Gardner-Webb
Ball State
Coastal Carolina
Now, we turn our attention to Liberty’s Conference USA opener at Delaware.
Delaware
• When: Friday, Oct. 2 in Newark, Delaware (7 p.m., CBS Sports Network)
• Last year’s record: 7-6, 4-4 CUSA (7th)
• Coach: Ryan Carty, 5th year at Delaware
• 2026 SP+ ranking: 114
• Series History: Liberty leads, 1-0
Last Meeting: Nov. 1, 2025: Liberty 59, Delaware 30
Liberty had their best offensive showing of the disappointing 2025 season behind Evan Dickens’ Williams Stadium’ record on homecoming. The Flames finished the game with a season-high 561 total offensive yards while rushing for 282 yards and six touchdowns. Dickens had four rushing touchdowns and 217 yards on the ground. Ethan Vasko completed 14 of 20 passes for 221 yards and 2 touchdowns. Donte Lee was his top target, finishing the game with 5 receptions for 92 yards.
Program History:
National Championships: 0 (at FBS level)
Conference Championships: 0 (at FBS level)
Bowl Record: 1-0
Last Bowl Appearance: 2025 68 Ventures, 20-13 W vs Louisiana
Carty has returned to his alma mater as head coach and found success. He is 23-4 at home as head coach and helped guide Delaware to a 7-6 season and bowl win in its first season at the FBS level. They had a pair of 3 point losses last season yet still finished with a winning record after the bowl win. This season, the Blue Hens have 12 returning starters including QB Nick Minicucci, RB Jo Silver, and WR Sean Wilson. Minicucci was second-team all CUSA a season ago and should have an even better year this fall. On defense, it is a veteran group with 9 of the top 15 tacklers back, looking to improve under DC Manny Rojas off last season where the unit allowed 405 yards and 31 points per game.
Delaware plays host to Liberty and Jacksonville State while avoiding Western Kentucky in conference play. They do have a tough schedule as they play both Vanderbilt and Virginia in the non-conference. The Blue Hens expect to be a CUSA contender and could find their way to the title game if they continue to be tough to beat at home.
What’s at Stake?
Liberty’s conference showdown with Delaware could carry major implications in the Conference USA title race. As one of the league’s newer members, the Blue Hens present a unique challenge, making this a pivotal opportunity for the Flames to try and gain an edge in the standings. With every conference game magnified in the pursuit of a conference championship game appearance, a win over the Blue Hens could prove to be one of the season’s most valuable results, while a loss would make the road to a conference title significantly more difficult.
