Today, we begin 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.
We begin today with a look at Liberty’s season opener against Campbell, the first FCS opponent the Flames have faced since moving to Conference USA prior to last season.
Campbell
• When: Saturday, Aug. 31 at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg (6 p.m. ESPN+)
• Last year’s record: 5-6, 4-4 CAA (t-6th)
• Coach: Braxton Harris, first year at Campbell
• 2024 SP+ ranking: N/A
• Series History: Liberty leads, 1-0
Last Meeting: Sep. 4, 2021: Liberty quarterback Malik Willis threw for 217 yards and a touchdown while adding another 55 yards and a score on the ground. Demario Douglas had 7 receptions for 84 yards and a score as the Flames coasted to a victory in the only prior meeting between the two programs. It was the first game of the 2021 campaign with Liberty coming off an impressive 10-1 season in 2020.
Program History:
National Championships: 0
Conference Championships: 0
Bowl Record: 0-0
Last Bowl Appearance: N/A
Expectations are as high as they have ever been for the Flames, coming off a 13-1 season that included a CUSA Championship and Fiesta Bowl berth. Liberty will look to get off to a good start opening the year against FCS Campbell.
After 11 seasons, former Liberty assistant coach under Turner Gill, Mike Minter no longer roams the sidelines for the Camels. In his stead, Braxton Harris takes over the reigns.
Harris spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons on staff at Campbell and now returns to Buies Creek after spending 2023 as head coach at FCS member Houston Christian. At HCU, Harris coached 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 just one time in the previous six years.
What’s at Stake?
Liberty is 8-0 against FCS opponents since making the move to the FBS. The Flames will be heavy favorites in this one and cannot suffer a setback if the team wants to have the type of season it hopes to have. In a perfect world, LU will have this game in hand by halftime and be able to get some younger and more unproven players significant snaps after intermission.
