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.

Appalachian State and Liberty will meet in late September as one of the more anticipated G5 non-conference matchups this season. This game will feature two teams that figure to be in the thick of their respective conference championship races and could turn out to be a de facto CFP elimination game for the coveted G5 spot in the expanded playoffs.

Appalachian State

  • When: Saturday, Sep. 28 at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, North Carolina (Time & TV TBA)
  • Last year’s record: 9-5, 6-2 Sun Belt (2nd), beat Miami (OH) 13-9 in the Cure Bowl
  • Coach: Shawn Clark, 35-18 in four years at Appalachian State
  • 2024 SP+ ranking: 47th
  • Series History: Appalachian State leads, 7-3

Last Meeting: Oct. 11, 2014: Liberty picked up the win and upset over the FBS newbies Appalachian State in Boone, 55-48, in overtime. Liberty QB Josh Woodrum connected with Darrin Peterson for a touchdown, putting the Flames ahead. The victory was sealed on Jacob Hagen’s interception in the end zone.

Program History:

National Championships: 3 (all FCS)

Conference Championships: 22

Bowl Record: 7-1

Last Bowl Appearance: 2023 – Cure Bowl vs. Miami (OH) 13-9 win

Since joining the FBS about a decade ago, Appalachian State has quickly solidified itself as a contender, not just in the Sun Belt, but nationally as one of the top G5 teams year in, year out.

Last year, the Mountaineers finished 9-5 while suffering four one score losses and fell to Troy in the Sun Belt title game.

This year’s team could be Coach Clark’s best, as he returns a ton of talent, including QB Joey Aguilar.

Aguilar is one of 11 returning starters and he crushed most of App State’s single-season passing records last year, throwing for 3,757 yards while completing 63.8% of his passes for 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He is expected to be one of the top quarterbacks in the G5 this season.

On offense, the skill positions are loaded. If there is a question mark it is at offensive line where only one starter returns.

The Mountaineers will have a couple extra days to prepare for this one as they host South Alabama on Thursday, Sep. 19 prior to facing the Flames.

What’s at Stake?

Appalachian State is 48-7 at home the last nine years as Kidd Brewer Stadium has proven to be one of the toughest places to play. If both teams are unbeaten heading into this one (though App has to play at Clemson in Week 2), it will draw plenty of national attention. The winner would be in prime position to challenge for a CFP spot. With a weak schedule, Liberty would be hard pressed to overcome any loss on the schedule, including in Boone, to get that spot.

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