Liberty will move into Conference USA for the 2023 season where the Flames, under new head coach Jamey Chadwell, will look to win its first ever conference championship at the FBS level. Here’s a look at how Liberty’s new conference mates fared during the 2022 football season.
LIBERTY
The Flames started the season at 8-1 with landmark wins over BYU and Arkansas. Liberty would limp home down the stretch, dropping four straight games including a loss in the Boca Raton Bowl. Liberty would finish the year at 8-5 as Hugh Freeze is now in Auburn and Jamey Chadwell will lead the Flames forward into CUSA.
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL
In their first season under head coach Mike MacIntyre, FIU opened the season 4-4 and had their eyes set on bowl eligibility. The Panthers would not qualify for a bowl game though, losing their final four games to finish the season at 4-8 overall and 2-6 in CUSA.
JACKSONVILLE STATE
First year head coach Rich Rodriguez led Jacksonville State to a 9-2 record in 2022, including a perfect 5-0 mark in the ASUN. Unfortunately, as they make the move to the FBS, the Gamecocks were ineligible for the FCS Playoffs.
LOUISIANA TECH
In his first year as head coach, Sonny Cumbie and the Bulldogs struggled to a 3-9 season and 2-6 record in the Conference USA. Louisiana Tech lost three games by one score including two setbacks in overtime.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE
The Blue Raiders had a successful 2022 campaign that included wins over Colorado State and Miami (FL). They finished the year at 8-5 overall and 4-4 in CUSA play. MTSU finished the year with four straight wins that included a win over San Diego State in the Hawaii Bowl.
NEW MEXICO STATE
It was a very successful year for the Aggies, finishing 7-6 on the season under first year head coach Jerry Kill. New Mexico State won their last three games of the season and six out of their last seven including a win over Bowling Green in the Quick Lane Bowl. NMSU also knocked off Liberty, 49-14, in Lynchburg.
SAM HOUSTON
Coming off two straight seasons where Sam Houston was 21-1 and won an FCS Championship, the Bearkats were unable to find consistency throughout 2022. They lost their first two games of the year before responding to win five straight before dropping their final two of the season as Sam Houston finished the season at 5-4.
UTEP
The UTEP Miners came up just shy of getting to a bowl game in 2022. They finished the season with a 5-7 record overall and 3-5 mark in Conference USA.
WESTERN KENTUCKY
For a third time in four years under head coach Tyson Helton, WKU won nine games in a season. The Hilltoppers were 9-5 on the year and 6-2 in CUSA. They also beat South Alabama to win the 2022 New Orleans Bowl.
