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.

After a one week respite from conference play, the Flames step back into league action for the final two weeks of the regular season. What is expected to be a huge showdown in the race to the CUSA title game awaits between Liberty and Western Kentucky on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

Western Kentucky

  • When: Saturday, Nov. 23 at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg (1 p.m. ESPN Network TBA)
  • Last year’s record: 8-5, 5-3 CUSA (4th), beat ODU 38-35 in the Famous Toastery Bowl
  • Coach: Tyson Helton, 40-26 in five years at WKU
  • 2024 SP+ ranking: 68th
  • Series History: Liberty leads, 4-0

Last Meeting: Oct. 24 2023: Before the calendar shifted to November, Liberty clinched a spot in the conference championship in the program’s first year in Conference USA thanks to a 42-29 win over WKU in Bowling Green. Kaidon Salter completed 10 of 15 passes for 189 yards and 3 scores while also rushing 13 times for 117 yards and another touchdown.

Program History:

National Championships: 1 (FCS)

Conference Championships: 12

Bowl Record: 7-3

Last Bowl Appearance: 2023 – Famous Toastery Bowl vs. Old Dominion 38-35 win

Western Kentucky has been one of the top teams in Conference USA the last several years, and it had many expecting the Hilltoppers to compete for the conference championship last year. A 5-3 mark in CUSA play derailed those hopes as WKU finished 4th.

While they lose QB Austin Reed and WR Malachi Corley, many are calling for the Tops to return to competing for the conference title again this season. 14 startesr return from last year’s squad and they should be much improved on defense.

Their schedule includes road trips to Alabama and Boston College as well as playing host to MAC favorite Toledo.

TJ Finley is the favorite to be Reed’s replacement at quarterback. He began his college career at LSU before transferring to Auburn and then Texas State where he started all 13 games last year. Finley threw for 3,439 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions at Texas State a season ago.

Don’t immediately rule out Caden Veltkamp in the QB race either. Serving as Reed’s backup last year, Veltkamp came on in relief during the bowl game. He threw for 383 yards and 5 touchdowns as WKU overcome a 28 point deficit in the win over Old Dominion.

What’s at Stake?

Many are predicting Western Kentucky to be one of Liberty’s top competitors for the CUSA championship. The Hilltoppers play the Flames and Jacksonville State in the last two weeks of the regular season, so unless 2024 is a complete disappointment, WKU should enter this game with a strong chance at reaching the conference title game. Could home field advantage in that contest be on the line?

Previous:
Campbell
at New Mexico State
UTEP
East Carolina
at Appalachian State
FIU
at Kennesaw State
Jacksonville State
at Middle Tennessee
at UMass