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.

The calendar turns to October and CUSA welcomes back its midweek action throughout the month. The Flames begin the month by hosting FIU on a Tuesday night in Lynchburg.

FIU

  • When: Tuesday, Oct. 8 at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg (7 p.m. CBSSN)
  • Last year’s record: 4-8, 1-7 CUSA (9th)
  • Coach: Mike MacIntyre, 8-16 in two years at FIU
  • 2024 SP+ ranking: 127th
  • Series History: Liberty leads, 2-0

Last Meeting: Sep. 23, 2023: Liberty dominated the Panthers in a muggy evening in South Florida, 38-6. The Flames rushed for 364 yards on 44 carries and finished the night with 520 total offensive yards while holding FIU to just 211. Kaidon Salter accounted for four of Liberty’s five touchdowns in the game.

Program History:

National Championships: 0

Conference Championships: 1

Bowl Record: 2-3

Last Bowl Appearance: 2019 – Camellia Bowl vs. Arkansas State 34-26 loss

Mike MacIntyre has been able to turn around programs everywhere he has been including San Jose State and Colorado. He’s hoping to do the same thing in Miami for Florida International, guiding them to 4-8 in each of his first two campaigns.

This year, the Panthers have 14 returning starters and will try to overcome a 9-32 mark in the last 4 years.

QB Keyone Jenkins is back after starting for FIU as a true freshman last year. He should be much improved and one of the top quarterbacks in the conference after throwing for 2,414 yards, completing 58.4% of his passes, while tossing 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

What’s at Stake?

As Liberty transitions to play four straight conference games, the Flames’ attention will be squarely on getting back to the conference title game. Regardless of what happened in September, that will be the team’s primary goal as the calendar shifts to October. In order to accomplish that feat, Liberty can’t afford a loss at home to FIU.

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