We have begun our series of an early look ahead to the teams on Liberty’s 2024 schedule. We will give a quick preview of all 12 teams that stand in the Flames’ way of a second straight unbeaten season as second-year head coach Jamey Chadwell prepares his team to defend its 2023 CUSA title.

Today, we turn our attention to the first FBS and CUSA game of the 2024 campaign as Liberty heads west to take on New Mexico State in a 2023 CUSA championship game rematch.

New Mexico State

• When: Saturday, Sep. 7 at Aggie Memorial Stadium in Las Cruces, New Mexico (10:15 p.m. ESPN2)
• Last year’s record: 10-5, 7-1 CUSA (2nd), lost to Fresno State 37-10 in New Mexico Bowl
• Coach: Tony Sanchez, first year at New Mexico State
• 2024 SP+ ranking: 100th
• Series History: Liberty leads, 5-2

Last Meeting: Dec. 1, 2023: Liberty claimed its first ever FBS conference title, getting two fourth quarter touchdowns to secure a 49-35 win over NMSU in the 2023 CUSA Football Championship. The game was tied at 35 entering the final quarter, but that was before Liberty added two of its five rushing touchdowns in the final stanza to close out the win. Kaidon Salter accounted for 484 of Liberty’s total offensive yards. He rushed for 165 yards and a touchdown while completing 20 of 25 passes for 319 yards and 2 scores.

Program History:

National Championships: 0

Conference Championships: 4

Bowl Record: 4-1-1

Last Bowl Appearance: 2023 – New Mexico Bowl vs. Fresno State 37-10 loss

Jerry Kill did a remarkable job in his time in Las Cruces, but he has departed and so have several key contributors from last year’s 10-win squad beginning with QB Diego Pavia.

Question marks are rampant throughout the roster under first year head coach Tony Sanchez, who was on staff at NMSU under Kill and was previously head coach at UNLV.

In addition to the loss of Pavia at QB, the Aggies lose everyone from that position including Eli Stowers and Blaze Berlowitz. They added numerous transfers including Parker Awad from JUCO ball, who finished the spring atop the depth chart.

The Aggies’ new defensive coordinator is Joe Morris who comes over from Sam Houston, who had a very good defense in their first year at the FBS and in CUSA last year.

With both teams facing an FCS opponent in Week 1, we might not learn much about either team until they square off late night on ESPN2.

What’s at Stake?

Don’t let all the turnover at NMSU fool you, the Aggies have Sept. 7 circled on their calendar as they want some revenge from losing to the Flames in last year’s CUSA title game.
Meanwhile, the Flames will be facing arguably their toughest road contest in conference play in this one. We all know if Liberty wants to compete for the top G5 champion spot and the CFP, there is no margin for error.

Additionally, looking to repeat as CUSA champions would be difficult overcoming a loss in the first conference game of the season with more challenges looming.

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