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
Delaware
Sam Houston
Now, we turn our attention to Liberty’s game at Kennesaw State in late October.
Kennesaw State
• When: Thursday, Oct. 22 in Kennesaw, Georgia (7 p.m., CBS Sports Network)
• Last year’s record: 10-4, 7-1 CUSA (1st)
• Coach: Jerry Mack, 2nd year at Kennesaw State
• 2026 SP+ ranking: 105
• Series History: Kennesaw leads, 3-2
Last Meeting: Nov. 29, 2025: Kennesaw State 48, Liberty 42
For a third straight week, Liberty went to overtime, and for the third straight game, the Flames came up short, falling in double overtime to the Owls. Evan Dickens finished the game with 267 yards and four touchdowns, setting a new program record for the longest rushing touchdown in school history with a 95-yard scamper. The two teams combined to rush for 503 yards, Liberty rushing for a season high 291 yards and 5 touchdowns. Michael Merdinger was 12 of 21 passing for 212 yards and a touchdown. The Flames nearly won the game in regulation but a 32-yard field goal by Jay Billingsley sailed wide right.
Program History:
National Championships: 0 (at FBS level)
Conference Championships: 1 (at FBS level)
Bowl Record: 0-1
Last Bowl Appearance: 2025 Myrtle Beach Bowl, 41-6 L vs Western Michigan
Under first year head coach Jerry Mack, Kennesaw State went from worst to first last year, winning the conference championship in just their second year in the league. Their 8-win improvement, going from 2-10 in 2024 to 10-4 last year, was the 7th largest in college football history. It will be hard to duplicate that success once again, especially with the target now on their backs and just 9 returning starters.
The Owls traded quarterbacks with Syracuse, as last year’s starter Amari Odom went to the Orange while Kennesaw brings in Rickie Collins to replace him. Collins started 5 games at Syracuse last year when the starter was injured. He threw for 1,042 yards with 6 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on a 54% completion rate. Kennesaw loses its top 9 rushers and top 4 receivers, so it likely will be a challenge offensively, especially early. The defense is more experienced and the defensive front is bigger. Kennesaw has four all-conference caliber linebackers and increased the size and athleticism in the secondary, so there should be some improvement on that side of the ball. The Owls should be in contention to defend their CUSA crown, and if a QB emerges they could be very dangerous once again.
What’s at Stake?
This game could likely have serious conference championship implications on the line. Additionally, the Flames will be looking to snap a three-game losing skid to Kennesaw State, having dropped the past two games since the Owls joined Conference USA and also the previous meeting in 2017. Liberty hasn’t beaten KSU since 2016.
