The Liberty Flames will usher in a new season by playing host to the Campbell Camels to kickoff the 2024 campaign. The Flames and Camels will meet in Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia on Saturday, August 31 at 6 PM. The Game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Campbell posted a 5-6 record last season, finishing 4-4 in CAA play. The Camels faced one FBS member, losing at North Carolina, 59-7, on Nov. 4. They also met future FBS and CUSA member Delaware, falling 45-7 on Nov. 11.
After the season, long time head coach and former Liberty assistant Mike Minter resigned. Braxton Harris was then named the new head coach of the Camels. Harris spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons on staff at Campbell when he was associate head coach, linebackers coach, and recruiting coordinator.
In 2023, Harris was the head coach at FCS Southland Conference member Houston Christian. He guided the Huskies to their first winning season in program history, going 6-5 overall after inheriting a program that had won more than two games once in the previous six years.
There will be a lot of new faces for Harris and the Camels in 2024 as several key pieces from last year’s squad have departed, including quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams.
Chad Mascoe played in 5 games at quarterback over the past two seasons, completing 51 of 87 passes for 699 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. He has been joined at the position by Lamar transfer redshirt-senior Mike Chandler II. Chandler played in 24 games, starting 10, over four seasons at Lamar. He played in two games in 2023, while appearing in 11 contests with 8 starts in 2022 when he completed 87 of 205 passes for 1,244 yards and 8 touchdowns. He also rushed 65 times for 3 scores.
It’s a similar story at running back where the top five rushers from last year are all gone. Transfers Sammy Malignaggi and Mark Biggins are likely in the mix at the position. Malignaggi comes from James Madison where he played in 44 games over four seasons, rushing for 162 yards and a touchdown. Biggins is a Cal Poly transfer who rushed for 270 yards and 2 touchdowns on 60 carries in 2023.
VJ Wilkins and Chaney Fitzgerald are the top two pass catchers who return. They combined for 101 receptions for 1,010 yards, and 7 touchdowns.
The Campbell roster features 23 FBS transfers, nine of which have come from Power Conference teams including Florida, Penn State, LSU, Florida State, and Virginia Tech.
Three Players to Watch For
WR #21 – VJ Wilkins was a freshman All-American last season. He finished the year with 52 catches for 546 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also ranked 9th in the FCS with 21.2 yards per kick return.
LB #0 – CJ Tillman had 98 total tackles last season, earning all-CAA honors for the second straight season. He posted a career high 19 tackles against No. 4 William & Mary in the 2023 season opener. He also added 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and forced 2 fumbles.
CB #13 – Isaiah Greene enters his second season at Campbell after transferring from Central Connecticut State. He played in 10 games for the Camels in 2023, starting the first seven before being limited due to injury. He had 19 tackles last season and four pass breakups.
Upcoming Games
Sep. 7 – Campbell @ Western Carolina
Sep. 14 – Campbell @ Rhode Island
Sep. 21 – Campbell vs Stony Brook
