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.

Liberty and Jacksonville State will meet on Halloween Eve in Lynchburg, in a matchup of what could be a preview of the 2024 CUSA championship game. The Gamecocks surprised many people last season, finishing third in the league, its first year at the FBS level.

Jacksonville State

  • When: Wednesday, Oct. 30 at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg (7 p.m. CBSSN)
  • Last year’s record: 9-4, 6-2 CUSA (3rd), beat Louisiana 34-31 in the New Orleans Bowl
  • Coach: Rich Rodriguez, 18-6 in two years at Jacksonville State
  • 2024 SP+ ranking: 75th
  • Series History: Jacksonville State leads, 4-1

Last Meeting: Oct. 10, 2023: Quinton Cooley had a career night, leading the Flames to a 31-13 win at Jax State. Cooley had 28 carries for 163 yards and his first career two touchdown game. Liberty dominated the second half, outscoring the home team 21-3 to cruise to the victory.

Program History:

National Championships: 1 (Division II)

Conference Championships: 25

Bowl Record: 1-0

Last Bowl Appearance: 2023 – New Orleans Bowl vs. Louisiana 34-31 win

It was a banner first season for the Gamecocks in CUSA and the FBS last year, finishing the season at 9-4 with a bowl win over Louisiana, becoming the first ever team to win a bowl in its first year of transition from FCS to FBS.

This year’s team loses some key playmakers from last year’s squad, including QB Zion Webb. However, Rich Rodriguez likes to rotate players throughout the roster, even doing so at quarterback last season as Logan Smothers returns and should be the starter this fall.

JSU has a tough draw having to play at Liberty and also at Western Kentucky. This team should have more depth than last year’s team and will be looking to compete for the conference title.

What’s at Stake?

Both teams are expected to compete for the CUSA title this fall, with the winner having the tiebreaker in the chase to be the host team. Certainly, the Flames have higher expectations than simply hosting a conference championship game, but that will certainly be a goal the team has this fall, and taking care of business at home against the Gamecocks could go a long way in securing that for the Flames.

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