The 2023 Liberty football season will always be remembered for the history the team set.
Under first year head coach Jamey Chadwell, the Flames won the program’s first ever conference championship at the FBS level with the Conference USA Championship. Liberty also set a program record with 13 wins on the year, advancing to the program’s first ever New Year’s Six Bowl Game. The season concluded with a loss to Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Day as the Flames finished the season at 13-1.
Let’s look back at the journey that was the 2023 Liberty football season.
Game 1: Liberty 34, Bowling Green 24
The Jamey Chadwell era got started at Williams Stadium against Bowling Green. The news of Liberty’s starting quarterback was kept quiet until right before kickoff when Kaidon Salter was officially announced as the starter. The redshirt-sophomore led a very impressive scoring drive to open the season as the Flames took a quick 7-0 lead. He picked up 30 yards on the ground on 3rd and 7 to get the drive started. On the Flames’ third possession of the afternoon, Salter completed 4 of 5 passes for 50 yards and a 12-yard touchdown pass to Vaughn Blue as Liberty went up 14-0.
Less than two minutes later, Kobe Singleton intercepted the Connor Bazelak pass and returned it 36 yards for a touchdown. A Brylan Green interception came on the next Bowling Green offensive play, and the Flames tacked on a 36-yard Teagen Lenderink field goal, as the score grew to 24-0.
After a Bowling Green touchdown, Liberty drove deep into Bowling Green territory in the final minute of the first half, but Lenderink’s 28-yard field goal attempt was blocked and returned 76 yards for a touchdown, making the score 24-14 at halftime and the visitors from Ohio clinging to the momentum.
The Falcons would continue with their momentum into the second half, scoring a field goal on their opening possession of the second half to cut the lead to seven. The Flames would respond with a touchdown, as Kaidon Salter found Bentley Hanshaw for a touchdown pass. Bowling Green kept coming, cutting the lead to seven at 31-24. Liberty’s defense withstood the Falcons’ late charge, with Jerome Jolly recording two interceptions in the second half. Lenderink had a huge 37-yard field goal with less than 3 minutes to play to push the lead to 10.
Liberty was in complete control of the game in the first half, leading 24-0 late into the second quarter. That all changed quickly on the blocked field goal that was returned for a touchdown. Happening just before half, it cut the Liberty lead to 24-14, and gave Bowling Green all the momentum.
Salter finished the game with a career high 82 yards rushing while completing 11 of 20 passes for 143 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Game 2: Liberty 33, New Mexico State 17
In week two, the Flames were looking for a little bit of payback against New Mexico State from what happened in the 2022 regular season finale while also playing in the team’s first ever CUSA game.
Things got off to a slow start for the Flames on their home turf as New Mexico State quickly and easily marched down the field for a touchdown on the opening possession of the game. Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter then lost a fumble as the Flames were driving deep into Aggies’ territory. Liberty would respond from there. The defense forced a quick three and out, and Kaidon Salter connected with CJ Daniels, who made a nice run after the catch, for a 40-yard touchdown score to tie the game at seven.
The teams would trade scores on their next four drives with Liberty leading 20-17 late in the first half. Liberty safety Brylan Green made a momentum turning play as he stepped in front of a Diego Pavia pass to record Liberty’s sixth interception of the young season. The Flames would capitalize on the turnover and Teagen Lenderink’s 22-yard field goal in the final minute of the first half to push the lead to 23-17 at intermission.
The Flames got the opening kickoff of the second half and took advantage. A 9 minute drive, ending in a two-yard Kaidon Salter touchdown run on the quarterback keeper, extended the lead to 30-17.
Salter did most of his damage through the air against the Aggies. He finished the game 15 of 25 passing for 276 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also rushed for 43 yards and 2 touchdowns on 9 carries. The Flames were able to move the ball on the ground and through the air throughout the game. Liberty went over 500 yards of total offense, finishing the game with 526 as 276 came through the air and 250 on the ground.
Game 3: Liberty 55, Buffalo 27
Hitting the road for the first time in the year, the Flames got on the scoreboard first thanks to a 39-yard field goal by Nick Brown on the opening possession of the game. Liberty’s defense would hold the Bulls to three and outs on three of their first four possessions. During that time, the lead would grow to 17-0 for the Flames thanks to two touchdown passes by Kaidon Salter. He first connected with Treon Sibley on a 56-yard scoring play, and then found Elijah Smoot for a 42-yard score. After a Tyren Dupree interception and Salter 24-yard completion to Sibley, the Liberty quarterback ran it in from one yard out to push the lead to 24-0.
Much like the season opener against Bowling Green, after grabbing an early 24-0 lead and feeling like the team would cruise to an easy victory, Liberty allowed Buffalo back into the game. The Bulls scored touchdowns on their final two drives of the first half, to bring the lead down to 24-14.
The Flames would turn the momentum back to the visiting team’s sidelines in the second half. Tyren Dupree had his second interception of the day on the third play from scrimmage after the intermission. Brown would then knock home a 35 yard field goal. Following a turnover on downs for the Bulls, Salter connected with Elijah Smoot for a second time on the day, this one coming from 33 yards out as the lead extended to 34-14 before the midway point of the second half. The team would coast to the victory from there.
Game 4: Liberty 38, FIU 6
Liberty remained on the road and played its first CUSA road game, taking on FIU in Miami. The Flames wasted no time jumping out to an early lead, as the offense scored touchdowns on its first two drives of the game to take a 14-0 lead. The big play was a 68-yard pass and run from Kaidon Salter to Treon Sibley for the second score.
The only thing that slowed the Liberty offense in the first half was themselves. The Flames scored on four of the team’s eight first half possessions. The ones they were held off the scoreboard were two turnovers – Salter’s first interception of the season and a Salter fumble inside the 5 yard line – a penalty and missed 49-yard field goal.
Meanwhile, four of the home team’s first five offensive possessions were three and outs and punts. The defense also forced two first half turnovers for the Panthers. Liberty went into the locker room with a 24-6 lead. A 14-0 advantage in the third quarter, and the visitors cruised to an easy victory.
Game 5: Liberty 21, Sam Houston 16
As the calendar shifted to October the schedules changed to games being played during the midweek. The first Midweek on the Mountain game became one that the Flames narrowly escaped with a victory to preserve the unbeaten season.
The Flames were able to hold on in the final seconds, keeping the Bearkats out of the end zone on 4th and goal from the 3 with 7 seconds left in the game. Kobe Singleton had the pass breakup to force the turnover on downs and allow Liberty to remain unbeaten.
On 4th and 3, with all of Flames Nation holding its collective breath, the Liberty defense took to the field for one final play. The outcome would determine who would end up victorious. Sam Houston’s Keegan Shoemaker’s pass for Jay Rockwell would be broken up by Liberty corner Kobe Singleton in the end zone.
That play was one of three PBU’s by Singleton on the final five offensive plays for the Bearkats as they reached inside the Liberty 10 yard line with time winding down. This sequence came just a few plays after Singleton was whistled for a questionable pass interference call that kept the drive alive for SHSU. He was able to flush that and stay focused on the play at hand, helping the Flames to the victory.
The scoring began in bunches as the teams combined to score on four of their first five possessions and Liberty grabbed the early 14-10 lead. The Bearkats took advantage of an early Kaidon Salter interception for a field goal in the first quarter. Following three straight punts, Liberty was able to push the lead to two scores as Salter connected with a wide open CJ Daniels for a 51-yard touchdown pass, and the Flames took a 21-10 advantage into the locker room.
It was a different story in the second half as both offenses slowed down, trading punts on the first four drives. Sam Houston would get a touchdown late in the third quarter, but their two point conversion was no good, something that would come back to haunt the visitors from Texas. Liberty would miss two field goals in the final 16 minutes of the game, kicks from 34 and 39 yards, but were still able to hold on for the victory.
Game 6: Liberty 31, Jacksonville State 13
One of the first games of the season where it felt like the game was a true tossup entering the contest, the Flames went back on the road to take on FBS and CUSA newcomer Jacksonville State behind their head coach Rich Rodriguez.
Jacksonville State controlled the first quarter and took an early lead, 7-0. The Flames would claw back and fight off the initial momentum and punch from the home team. Liberty scored 10 straight to take a 10-7 advantage. The Gamecocks would tie things up going into intermission with a 39 yard field goal.
Completing just 4 of 12 passes for 32 yards in the first half, Kaidon Salter and the Liberty offense would open things up after the break. Salter connected with Treon Sibley for two passes, first a third down conversion and then a 27-yard touchdown pass as Liberty pushed the lead to 17-10. After halftime, Salter completed 8 of 9 passes for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns.
After a 39-yard JSU field goal, Salter connected with Aaron Bedgood for a 29-yard touchdown pass as the Flames took a 24-13 lead. The Liberty defense would then force a three and out, and the Flames offense followed with a dominating fourth quarter possession. Liberty went 16 plays for 79 yards on a drive that took 9 minutes and 39 seconds. It would end in a Quinton Cooley touchdown run as the lead swelled to 31-13.
Game 7: Liberty 42, Middle Tennessee 35
It was a wild, back and forth affair on CBS Sports Network as both offenses put up tons of points and yards. It started on the first play from scrimmage when Kaidon Salter was intercepted. Three plays later the Blue Raiders had the 7-0 lead. The teams would exchange touchdowns until the score was tied at 14. Liberty took a 21-14 lead early in the second period, but Middle Tennessee tied the game at 21 just before the half.
An early fumble by Liberty running back Quinton Cooley would lead to another Blue Raider touchdown as they grabbed the lead, 28-21, and momentum in the second half. Touchdowns would follow on the teams next three possessions as the game was tied at 35 following Cooley’s third rushing touchdown of the game.
Game 8: Liberty 42, Western Kentucky 29
The Hilltoppers received the opening kickoff, converted all four third down conversions on the drive, and took a 7-0 lead with the touchdown. Liberty will quickly respond to tie the game at 7 on a Kaidon Salter 20 yard touchdown run.
WKU regained the lead with a field goal, 10-7, before Liberty took its first lead of the game. Salter connected with CJ Daniels on a 47 yard touchdown toss on a play where the wide receiver was wide open. The Flames would then make another stand in the red zone, forcing another field goal attempt, this was no good though. Liberty would enter the locker room at halftime with the 14-10 lead.
Out of the intermission, the two teams would exchange three and outs before Liberty took control of the game on the ground. The Flames ran 9 plays, all rushing plays, for 83 yards, ending in Victor Venn’s first career touchdown on a 9-yard run to push the lead to 21-10.
The Liberty defense would force another Western Kentucky punt, followed by another touchdown drive. This one went 10 plays for 80 yards and took 5 minutes off the clock as the lead swelled to 28-10 early in the 4th quarter. The Hilltoppers would score three touchdowns, on blown assignments, in the final quarter to stay within striking distance, but the Flames would prevail
With the win, the Flames officially have clinched a spot in the Conference USA Championship game on Friday, December 1.
Game 9: Liberty 56, Louisiana Tech 30
21,647 fans were in attendance to witness the Liberty win for the team’s annual homecoming game. The Flames fell behind 3-0 after the Bulldogs made a 26-yard field goal on the opening possession of the game, but Liberty would then score 21 straight to seize control of the game. A touchdown in the closing seconds of the first half would push the advantage to 28-10 at intermission.
Louisiana Tech would score touchdowns on their first three drives of the second half, attempting to stay within striking distance entering the fourth quarter. The Liberty offense would not let them cut into their deficit though, as the Flames cruised to the comfortable win.
With the win over Louisiana Tech, the Flames clinch home field in the Conference USA title game, certainly an impressive feat in the program’s first year in the league. Additionally, Liberty starts 9-0 for the first time in program history. The team’s best start prior to this year was 8-0 in 2020, a team that went on to finish the year at 10-1.
Game 10: Liberty 38, Old Dominion 10
The Flames immediately jumped out to a 7-0 lead on the heels of a 43-yard touchdown pass from Kaidon Salter to CJ Daniels. From there, the home team dominated on both sides of the ball, building a 28-0 lead before the visiting Monarchs got on the scoreboard with a 37-yard field goal late in the 2nd quarter. The lead was 35-3 for the Flames entering the locker room at halftime.
Liberty dominated the in-state opponent, making a statement against the Monarchs. With the schedule the way it is, there haven’t been many opportunities for the team to grab some attention, but this one would qualify.
While ODU drops to just 4-6 on the season, they have been competitive in every game they have played. The Monarchs have played in eight consecutive one score games, including wins over Louisiana and Appalachian State while losing in close contests to Wake Forest, Marshall, James Madison, and Coastal Carolina. Even in their one game, the season opener, that ODU played in that was decided by more than one score (prior to today), the Monarchs stayed within striking distance of Virginia Tech before falling, 36-17.
Game 11: Liberty 49, UMass 25
Liberty wasted little time jumping on top of the visitors, grabbing control of the game early. The Flames scored on the opening possession, to take the 7-0 lead, and pushed it to a 28-0 advantage midway through the second quarter. The onslaught would continue in the second half, aided by a 62-yard pick-six by Preston Hodge.
This game had all the makings to be a game the Flames struggled with. Playing a non-conference opponent, at home in front of a lackluster crowd with the students on Thanksgiving break, against a team with a 3-7 record that had two weeks to prepare for the game and nothing to lose. It all set up as a recipe for a game to be much closer than anticipated.
Playing as 27.5 point favorites, the Flames would hear none of that. As has been the case all season, Liberty head coach Jamey Chadwell and his staff have kept the team locked in each and every week. The Flames came out firing, scoring touchdowns on the first five offensive possessions of the game and would not look back.
With the win over UMass, Liberty set a new program record for victories in a season with 11. The Flames previously won 10 contests in 2008 and 2020. Finishing the regular season at 7-0, Liberty has also set a program record for most home victories in a season. The Flames had previously posted six home wins on six different occasions including once as an FBS member doing so in 2020
Game 12: Liberty 42, UTEP 28
The Flames scored touchdowns on its first three drives and four of its first five to build a 28-7 first half lead. Meanwhile, the defense held the Miners to just 100 yards of offense in the first half, including -2 rushing yards, despite 64 yards that came on one pass play to set up the only UTEP touchdown of the first half.
Two first half turnovers by the Flames prevented the visitors from extending the knockout blow to the Miners prior to the halftime break. However, Liberty would put another score on the board in the third quarter and cruise to the victory. Three touchdowns for UTEP in the fourth quarter when the game was already decided made the final score look much closer than the game actually was.
Game 13: Liberty 49, New Mexico State 35 (CUSA Championship)
It was a back and forth affair in the first half. The Aggies got the ball to begin the game and quickly marched down the field for a touchdown as quarterback Diego Pavia ran it in from 25 yards for the score. Liberty responded with a 9-play, 80-yard drive punctuated by a Quinton Cooley 1-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7. New Mexico State scored a touchdown on its second drive to regain the lead at 14-7 at the start of the second quarter.
On Liberty’s ensuing possession, the Flames moved the ball inside the 10-yard line before facing a 4th and 2. The coaching staff elected to go for it, and Salter pitched the ball to Vaughn Blue off the right side. Blue was knocked down right near the line to gain. The officials called for a measurement, originally awarded Blue and Liberty with the first down by one chain link. After an official review though, the call was overturned and he was ruled down short of the first down as the Flames turned the ball over on downs.
Like has been the case nearly all season, the Liberty offense was unstoppable in the championship game. The Flames scored touchdowns on five of the team’s first six offensive drives of the game. The only one that didn’t end in points was the turnover on downs Liberty had inside the NMSU 10-yard line. Liberty would go on to score touchdowns on 7 of the team’s first 10 drives. The three others were the turnover on downs, a 31-yard missed field goal, and when Liberty took a knee at the end of the first half.
Kaidon Salter put up insane, video like numbers. He completed 20 of 25 passes for 319 yards and 2 touchdowns while also rushing 12 times for 165 yards and a score. The Flames put up 712 total yards of offense, just shy of the school record of 730 yards set against UMass in 2019.
Liberty’s defense has had its struggles at times this year, and it certainly struggled to even slow down the Aggies in this rematch. But, as has been the case all season, the defense did what was needed to pick up the win. This time it was Brandon Bishop who picked off a pass in the end zone. That turnover allowed the Flames to put separation on the scoreboard between themselves and New Mexico State.
Game 14: Oregon 45, Liberty 6 (Fiesta Bowl)
Liberty fell from the ranks of the unbeatens with a 45-6 loss to Oregon on New Year’s Day at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona during the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.
After winning the coin toss and opting to receive the opening kickoff, Liberty had a very successful opening drive. The Flames went 75 yards in 6 plays, getting into the end zone on a 17-yard pass by Kaidon Salter to Bentley Hanshaw. A 34-yard run by Aaron Bedgood was the big play of the drive. After connecting on all 65 of his extra points this season entering the game, Nick Brown did miss this PAT as Liberty grabbed the early 6-0 lead.
The Ducks responded with an 8 play, 60 yard drive, but had to settle for a 37-yard field goal after Bryce Dixon batted down Bo Nix’s pass on 3rd down. The teams would exchange punts the next few possessions, with Liberty leading at the end of the first quarter, 6-3. In the 2nd quarter, the game quickly shifted in Oregon’s favor. Nix threw for four touchdowns during the 15-minute period as Oregon took the lead and extended it to 31-6 entering halftime. In the 2nd half, Oregon would score touchdowns on their first two two drives of the second half, extending the lead to 45-6, ensuring there would be no comeback for the Flames.
Despite the end of season loss, nothing can be taken away from this team and what they accomplished. In the first year under head coach Jamey Chadwell, the Flames raised the bar for what this team and program can accomplish. 2023 will be a season we can always look back on and reminisce at all that was achieved, and it could end up being the launching pad for what’s to come.
