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
Kennesaw State
Now, we turn our attention to Liberty’s homecoming game against FIU on Halloween.
FIU
• When: Saturday, Oct. 31 at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg (3:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network)
• Last year’s record: 7-6, 5-3 CUSA (t-4th)
• Coach: Willie Simmons, 2nd year at FIU
• 2026 SP+ ranking: 118
• Series History: Liberty leads, 3-1
Last Meeting: Nov. 15, 2025: FIU 34, Liberty 27
The Panthers pulled out an overtime win against the Flames at Pitbull Stadium this past season. It was a back and forth contest throughout with Liberty forcing the extra period after a 29-yard pass play from Ethan Vasko to Donte Lee, Jr. set up a 48-yard Jay Billingsley field goal in the final 15 seconds of regulation. During overtime, Liberty had FIU in a third and 10 situation, but the Panthers’ Joe Pesanksy completed an 18-yard pass to Alex Perry to keep the drive alive. Three plays later, Pesansky found Maguire Anderson in the end zone for a seven yard touchdown. The Flames managed to pick up a first down to get inside the 10-yard line to start overtime, however the Panthers came up with four straight stops, including an interception of Vasko on the game’s final play. Evan Dickens posted his third consecutive 100-yard game on the ground, rushing 28 times for 106 yards and a touchdown.
Program History:
National Championships: 0 (at FBS level)
Conference Championships: 0 (at FBS level)
Bowl Record: 2-4
Last Bowl Appearance: 2025 First Responder Bowl, 57-20 L vs UTSA
Willie Simmons has been a head coach at multiple different stops for nine seasons and he has posted a winning season in each year, including his first season at FIU. The Panthers won their final four games of the regular season, including a win over Liberty, to get to 7 wins and the program’s first bowl game since 2019. This year, just 7 starters return, they lose their quarterback, a 1,300-yard rusher, top wide receiver, and four starting offensive linemen while having to navigate a tough conference road slate of Liberty, Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, and Delaware.
At QB, JJ Kohl and Zach Marker look to be the top two candidates to earn the starting job. Kohl signed with Iowa State out of high school and started six games at Appalachian State last year where he threw for 1,465 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions with a 62% completion percentage. Marker started games across three different seasons at Delaware with seven career starts but injuries have plagued him throughout his career. Year two of the defense under Coach Simmons, and the Panthers return 7 of their top 14 tacklers. Expect improvement from a more physical and aggressive defensive unit this fall.
What’s at Stake?
This game may not generate a lot of buzz, but the Panthers are likely to be a contender and make things messy in the top of the conference standings as long as Simmons is in Miami. A win could keep Liberty in control of its conference title aspirations with the calendar turning towards the final month of the regular season, while a loss could complicate the standings and leave little room for error in the weeks ahead.
