2023 Liberty Flames football team
American college football season
The 2023 Liberty Flames football team represented Liberty University in the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Flames played their home games at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia, and competed as a first-year member of Conference USA. They were led by first-year head coach Jamey Chadwell.
Schedule
Liberty and Conference USA announced the 2023 football schedule on January 10, 2023.[1][2]
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
---|
September 2 | 12:00 p.m. | Bowling Green* | | | CBSSN | W 34–24 | 18,811 |
September 9 | 6:00 p.m. | New Mexico State | | - Williams Stadium
- Lynchburg, VA
| ESPN+ | W 33–17 | 20,123 |
September 16 | 12:00 p.m. | at Buffalo* | | | CBSSN | W 55–27 | 13,020 |
September 23 | 6:30 p.m. | at FIU | | | ESPN+ | W 38–6 | 17,437 |
| 7:00 p.m. | Sam Houston | | - Williams Stadium
- Lynchburg, VA
| CBSSN | W 21–16 | 17,100 |
| 7:30 p.m. | at Jacksonville State | | | ESPNU | W 31–13 | 21,745 |
| 7:00 p.m. | Middle Tennessee | | - Williams Stadium
- Lynchburg, VA
| CBSSN | W 42–35 | 16,354 |
| 7:30 p.m. | at Western Kentucky | | | ESPNU | W 42–29[3] | 16,036 |
November 4 | 6:00 p.m. | Louisiana Tech![dagger](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/Dagger-14-plain.png) | | - Williams Stadium
- Lynchburg, VA
| CBSSN | W 56–30 | 21,647 |
November 11 | 1:00 p.m. | Old Dominion* | | - Williams Stadium
- Lynchburg, VA
| ESPN+ | W 38–10 | 21,481 |
November 18 | 1:00 p.m. | UMass* | | - Williams Stadium
- Lynchburg, VA
| ESPN+ | W 49–25 | 16,860 |
November 25 | 3:30 p.m. | at UTEP | No. 25 | | CBSSN | W 42–28 | 10,240 |
| 7:00 p.m. | New Mexico State | No. 24 | | CBSSN | W 49–35 | 20,077 |
| 1:00 p.m. | vs. No. 8 Oregon | No. 23 | | ESPN | L 6–45 | 47,769 |
|
Game summaries
vs Bowling Green
Game One – Bowling Green Falcons (0-0) at Liberty Flames (0-0) – Game summary
Period |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Bowling Green |
0 |
14 |
10 | 0 | 24 |
Liberty |
7 |
17 |
7 | 3 | 34 |
at Williams Stadium, Lynchburg, Virginia
- Date: Saturday, September 2, 2023
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Sunny, 78 °F (26 °C)
- Game attendance: 18,811
- Referee: Jeremy Valentine
- TV announcers (CBSSN): Chick Hernandez and Taylor McHargue
Game information
|
- First quarter
- (10:34) LIB – Billy Lucas 2-yard run (Teagen Lenderink kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 71 yards, 4:20; Liberty 7-0)
- Second quarter
- (8:18) LIB – Vaughn Blue 12-yard pass from Kaidon Salter (Teagen Lenderink kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 66 yards, 3:52; Liberty 14-0)
- (6:51) LIB – Kobe Singleton 36-yard interception return Teagen Lenderink kick) (Liberty 21-0)
- (5:48) LIB – Teagen Lenderink 36-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, :54; Liberty 24-0)
- (3:36) BG – Ta'ron Keith 14-yard run (Alan Anaya kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards, 2:12; Liberty 24-7)
- (0:20) BG – Trent Simms 76-yard blocked field goal return (Alan Anaya kick)(Liberty 24-14)
- Third quarter
- (11:36) BG – Alan Anaya 34-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 3:20; Liberty 24-17)
- (8:35) LIB – Bentley Hanshaw 17-yard pass from Kaidon Salter (Teagen Lenderink kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:01; Liberty 31-17)
- (4:04) BG – Odieu Hiliare 32-yard pass from Camden Orth (Alan Anaya kick) (Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:31; Liberty 31-24)
- Fourth quarter
- (2:52) LIB – Teagen Lenderink 36-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 14 yards, 1:24; Liberty 34-24)
|
Statistics |
BGSU |
LIB
|
First downs |
19 |
22
|
Total yards |
62-328 |
69-389
|
Rushing yards |
31–191 |
49–246
|
Passing yards |
137 |
246
|
Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
11–31–5 |
11–20–0
|
Time of possession |
27:05 |
32:55
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
Bowling Green |
Passing |
Connor Bazelak |
6/21, 71 yards, 3 INT
|
Rushing |
Taron Keith |
3 carries, 69 yards, TD
|
Receiving |
Odieu Hillare |
4 receptions, 59 yards, TD
|
Liberty |
Passing |
Kaidon Salter |
11/20, 143 yards, 2 TD
|
Rushing |
Kaidon Salter |
19 carries, 82 yards
|
Receiving |
Treon Sibley |
3 receptions, 56 yards
|
vs New Mexico State
Game Two – New Mexico State Aggies (1-1) at Liberty Flames (1-0) – Game summary
Period |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
New Mexico State |
7 |
10 |
0 | 0 | 17 |
Liberty |
7 |
16 |
10 | 0 | 33 |
at Williams Stadium, Lynchburg, Virginia
- Date: Saturday, September 9, 2023
- Game time: 4:00 p.m. MDT/6:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Cloudy, 71 °F (22 °C)
- Game attendance: 20,123
- Referee: Ron Hudson
- TV announcers (ESPN+): Matt Warner, Joe Jauch, and Emily Austen
Game information
|
- First quarter
- (11:22) NMSU – Jamoni Jones 10-yard run (Ethan Albertson kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:38; New Mexico State 7-0)
- (2:08) LIB – C. J. Daniels 40-yard pass from Kaidon Salter (Teagen Lenderink kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 71 yards, 3:15; Tied 7-7)
- Second quarter
- (12:32) NMSU – Ethan Albertson 35-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 69 yards, 4:30; New Mexico State 10-7)
- (8:40) LIB – Kaidon Salter 3-yard run (kick blocked) (Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:52; Liberty 13-10)
- (5:18) NMSU – Trent Hudson 13-yard pass from Diego Pavia (Ethan Albertson kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:22; New Mexico State 17-13)
- (2:13) LIB – Bentley Hanshaw 24-yard pass from Kaidon Salter (Teagen Lenderink kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:05; Liberty 20-17)
- (0:16) LIB – Teagen Lenderink 22-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 1:32; Liberty 23-17
- Third quarter
- (5:57) LIB – Kaidon Salter 2-yard run (Teagen Lenderink kick) (Drive: 17 plays, 75 yards, 9:03; Liberty 30-17)
- (1:24) LIB – Teagen Lenderink 29-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 22 yards, 3:02; Liberty 33-17)
- Fourth quarter
|
Statistics |
NMSU |
LIB
|
First downs |
16 |
26
|
Total yards |
50–339 |
77–526
|
Rushing yards |
24–170 |
52–250
|
Passing yards |
169 |
276
|
Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
14–26–2 |
15–25–0
|
Time of possession |
22:06 |
37:54
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
New Mexico State |
Passing |
Diego Pavia |
12/21, 150 yards, TD, 2 INT
|
Rushing |
Diego Pavia |
9 carries, 63 yards
|
Receiving |
Chris Bellamy |
3 receptions, 74 yards
|
Liberty |
Passing |
Kaidon Salter |
15/25, 276 yards, 2 TD
|
Rushing |
Quinton Cooley |
20 carries, 106 yards
|
Receiving |
C. J. Daniels |
4 receptions, 129 yards, TD
|
at Buffalo
Game Three – Liberty Flames (2–0) at Buffalo Bulls (0–2) – Game summary
Period |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Liberty |
10 |
14 |
17 | 14 | 55 |
Buffalo |
0 |
14 |
7 | 6 | 27 |
at University at Buffalo Stadium • Amherst, New York
- Date: September 16, 2023
- Game time: 12 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: 69 °F (21 °C); Sunny
- Game attendance: 13,020
- Referee: Greg Sujack
- TV announcers (CBSSN): Jason Knapp (play-by-play); Malik Zaire (analyst)
Game information
|
- First quarter
- (11:18) LIB – Nick Brown 39-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 52 yards, 3:38; Liberty 3–0)
- (5:43) LIB – Treon Sibley 56-yard pass from Kaidon Salter (Nick Brown kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 67 yards, 1:13; Liberty 10–0)
- Second quarter
- (11:03) LIB – Elijah Smoot 42-yard pass from Kaidon Salter (Nick Brown kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 85 yards, 2:50; Liberty 17–0)
- (8:33) LIB – Kaidon Salter 1-yard run (Nick Brown kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 27 yards, 1:47; Liberty 24–0)
- (5:38) BUFF – Darrell Harding Jr. 7-yard pass from Cole Snyder (Alex McNulty kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 2:55; Liberty 24–7)
- (0:28) BUFF – Nik McMillan 33-yard pass from Cole Snyder (Alex McNulty kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 89 yards, 1:13; Liberty 24–14)
- Third quarter
- (12:13) LIB – Nick Brown 35-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 1 yards, 1:24; Liberty 27–14)
- (8:40) LIB – Elijah Smoot 33-yard pass from Kaidon Salter (Nick Brown kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 42 yards, 1:00; Liberty 34–14)
- (4:20) BUFF – Ron Cook 2-yard pass from Cole Snyder (Alex McNulty kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 77 yards, 4:18; Liberty 34–21)
- (3:25) LIB – C.J. Daniels 75-yard pass from Kaidon Salter (Nick Brown kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 0:55; Liberty 41–21)
- Fourth quarter
- (14:57) LIB – Austin Henderson 3-yard pass from Kaidon Salter (Nick Brown kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 31 yards, 1:31; Liberty 48–21)
- (10:14) BUFF – Marlyn Johnson 3-yard pass from Cole Snyder (2-pt conversion failed) (Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:43; Liberty 48–27)
- (6:24) LIB – Aaron Bedgood 49-yard run (Nick Brown kick) (Drive: 1 plays, 49 yards, 0:10; Liberty 55–27)
|
Statistics |
LIB |
BUFF
|
First downs |
19 |
22
|
Total yards |
65–569 |
81–363
|
Rushing yards |
36–225 |
30–87
|
Passing yards |
344 |
276
|
Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
16–29–0 |
29–51–2
|
Time of possession |
28:35 |
31:25
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
Liberty |
Passing |
Kaidon Salter |
16/26, 344 yards, TD
|
Rushing |
Kaidon Salter |
10 carries, 66 yards, TD
|
Receiving |
Treon Sibler |
3 receptions, 106 yards, TD
|
Buffalo |
Passing |
Cole Snyder |
29/51, 276 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
|
Rushing |
Mike Washington |
11 carries, 37 yards
|
Receiving |
Nik McMillan |
4 receptions, 72 yards, TD
|
at FIU
Liberty Flames (3-0) at FIU Panthers (3-1) – Game Summary
Period |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Liberty |
14 |
10 |
14 | 0 | 38 |
Florida International |
6 |
0 |
0 | 0 | 6 |
at Riccardo Silva Stadium • Westchester, Florida
- Date:
- Game time: 6:30 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C); Cloudy
- Game attendance: 17,437
- Referee: Garrett Dickerson
- TV announcers (ESPN+): AJ Ricketts and Jonathan Zipper
Game information
|
- First quarter
- (11:21) LIB – Bentley Hanshaw 9-yard pass from Kaidon Salter (Nick Brown kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:35; Liberty 7-0)
- (9:04) LIB – Treon Sibley 68-yard pass from Kaidon Salter (Nick Brown kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 72 yards, :54; Liberty 14-0)
- (1:40) FIU – Keyone Jenkins 1-yard run (kick failed) (Drive: 10 plays, 94 yards, 4:50; Liberty 14-6)
- Second quarter
- (2:56) LIB – Billy Lucas 18-yard run (Nick Brown kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 62 yards, 2:52; Liberty 21-6)
- (1:50) LIB – Nick Brown 41-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards, :48; Liberty 24-6)
- Third quarter
- (10:09) LIB – Kaidon Salter 2-yard run (Nick Brown kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 46 yards, 3:14; Liberty 31-6)
- (3:48) LIB – Kaidon Salter 1-yard run (Nick Brown kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 4:52; Liberty 38-6)
|
Statistics
|
LIB
|
FIU
|
First downs |
22 |
11
|
Plays–yards |
65-520 |
57-211
|
Rushes–yards |
44-364 |
33-64
|
Passing yards |
156 |
147
|
Passing: comp–att–int |
11-21-1 |
11-24-1
|
Time of possession |
33:09 |
26:51
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
Liberty
|
Passing |
Kaidon Salter |
11/21, 156 yards, 2TD, 1INT
|
Rushing |
Quinton Cooley, Billy Lucas |
12 carries, 102 yards / 11 carries, 102 yards, 1TD
|
Receiving |
Treon Sibley |
2 receptions, 83 yards, 1TD
|
Florida International
|
Passing |
Keyone Jenkins |
9/21, 133 yards, 1INT
|
Rushing |
Kejon Owens |
11 carries, 42 yards
|
Receiving |
Kris Mitchell |
3 receptions, 89 yards
|
Sam Houston
Game Five – Sam Houston Bearkats (0-4) at Liberty Flames (4-0) – Game summary
Period |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Sam Houston |
10 |
0 |
6 | 0 | 16 |
Liberty |
7 |
14 |
0 | 0 | 21 |
at Williams Stadium Lynchburg, VA
- Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT/7:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Cloudy, 68 °F (20 °C)
- Game attendance: 17,100
- Referee: Rory Bernard
- TV announcers (CBSSN): Chick Hernandez and Robert Turbin
- Box score, Recap
Game information
|
- First quarter
- (12:52) - LIB - Kaidon Salter 10-yard run (Nick Brown kick), 12:52. Flames 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 74 yards, 2:02.
- (6:46) - SHSU - Al'Vonte Woodard 7-yard pass from Keegan Shoemaker (Colby Sessums kick), 6:46. Tied 7-7. Drive: 12 plays, 85 yards, 6:00.
- (4:27) - SHSU - Colby Sessums 33-yard field goal, 4:27. Bearkats 10-7. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 1:32.
- Second quarter
- (14:54) - LIB - Quinton Cooley 1-yard run (Nick Brown kick), 14:54. Flames 14-10. Drive: 9 plays, 77 yards, 4:26.
- (2:21) - LIB - CJ Daniels 51-yard pass from Kaidon Salter (Nick Brown kick), 2:21. Flames 21-10. Drive: 4 plays, 62 yards, 1:15.
- Third quarter
- (4:36) - SHSU - Al'Vonte Woodard 20 yard-pass from Keegan Shoemaker (Keegan Shoemaker pass incomplete), 4:36. Flames 21-16. Drive: 6 plays, 68 yards, 2:48.
|
Statistics |
SHSU |
LIB
|
First downs |
19 |
19
|
Total yards |
327 |
448
|
Rushing yards |
72 |
191
|
Passing yards |
255 |
257
|
Turnovers |
1 |
1
|
Time of possession |
27:24 |
32:36
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
Sam Houston State |
Passing |
Keegan Shoemaker |
27/41, 255 yards, 2 TD, INT
|
Rushing |
Keegan Shoemaker |
7 rushes, 52 yards
|
Receiving |
Noah Smith |
13 receptions, 97 yards
|
Liberty |
Passing |
Kaidon Salter |
11/19, 257 yards, TD, INT
|
Rushing |
Quinton Cooley |
17 rushes, 106 yards, TD
|
Receiving |
CJ Daniels |
5 receptions, 157 yards, TD
|
at Jacksonville State
Liberty Flames (5-0) vs Jacksonville State Gamecocks (5-1)
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Flames |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
Gamecocks |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
- Date: October 10
- Location: Burgess-Snow Field at JSU Stadium
Jacksonville, Alabama - Game start: 7:30 p.m. CST/5:30 p.m. PST
- Game attendance: 21,745
- TV announcers (ESPNU): TBD
| |
|
Statistics
|
Liberty
|
Jacksonville State
|
First downs |
|
|
Plays–yards |
|
|
Rushes–yards |
|
|
Passing yards |
|
|
Passing: comp–att–int |
|
|
Time of possession |
|
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
Liberty
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
Jacksonville State
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
vs Middle Tennessee
Game Seven – Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (2-5) at Liberty Flames (6-0) – Game summary
Period |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Middle Tennessee |
14 |
7 |
14 | 0 | 35 |
Liberty |
14 |
7 |
14 | 7 | 42 |
at Williams Stadium • Lynchburg, Virginia
- Date: Tuesday, October 17, 2023
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 16,354
- TV announcers (CBSSN): Carter Blackburn (play-by-play) and Brock Vereen (analyst)
Game information
|
- First quarter
- (13:36) MTSU – DJ Riles 3-yard pass from Nicholas Vattiato (Zeke Rankin kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 22 yards, 1:04; Middle Tennessee 7-0)
- (8:37) LIB – Quinton Cooley 5-yard run (Nick Brown kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:59; Tied 7-7)
- (6:43) MTSU – Elijah Metcalf 20-yard pass from Nicholas Vattiato (Zeke Rankin kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:54; Middle Tennessee 14-7)
- (0:49) LIB – Quinton Cooley 9-yard run (Nick Brown kick) (Drive: 13 plays, 97 yards, 5:49; Tied 14-14)
- Second quarter
- (8:29) LIB – Billy Lucas 1-yard run (Nick Brown kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 77 yards, 4:47; Liberty 21-14)
- (0:20) MTSU – Zack Dobson 2-yard run (Zeke Rankin kick) (Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 3:00; Tied 21-21)
- Third quarter
- (12:43) MTSU – DJ England-Chisholm 36-yard pass from Nicholas Vattiato (Zeke Rankin kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 47 yards, 0:21; Middle Tennessee 28-21)
- (6:41) LIB – Bentley Hanshaw 23-yard pass from Kaidon Salter (Nick Brown kick) (Drive: 12 plays, 77 yards, 5:56; Tied 28-28)
- (6:10) MTSU – Zack Dobson 72-yard pass from Nicholas Vattiato (Zeke Rankin kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:31; Middle Tennessee 35-28)
- (2:50) LIB – Quinton Cooley 10-yard run (Nick Brown kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 61 yards, 3:12; Tied 35-35)
- Fourth quarter
- (14:37) LIB – CJ Daniels 37-yard pass from Kaidon Salter (Nick Brown kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 58 yards, 1:15; Liberty 42-35)
|
Statistics |
MTSU |
LIB
|
First downs |
23 |
33
|
Total yards |
63–428 |
81–541
|
Rushing yards |
26–96 |
61–401
|
Passing yards |
332 |
140
|
Passing: Comp–Att–Int |
24–37–2 |
12–20–1
|
Time of possession |
22:40 |
37:20
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
Middle Tennessee |
Passing |
Nicholas Vattiato |
24/37, 332 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
|
Rushing |
Jaiden Cradle |
12 carries, 50 yards
|
Receiving |
Zack Dobson |
2 receptions, 82 yards, TD
|
Liberty |
Passing |
Kaidon Salter |
12/20, 140 yards, 2 TD, INT
|
Rushing |
Kaidon Salter |
16 carries, 160 yards
|
Receiving |
CJ Daniels |
6 receptions, 71 yards, TD
|
2024 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl No. 23 Liberty Flames (13-0, 8-0) vs No. 8 Oregon Duck (11-2, 8-1)
|
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
No. 23 Flames |
6 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
6 |
• No. 8 Ducks |
3 |
28 | 7 | 7 |
45 |
| |
|
Statistics
|
No. 23 Liberty
|
No. 8 Oregon
|
First downs |
15 |
28
|
Plays–yards |
52–294 |
71–584
|
Rushes–yards |
28–168 |
29–183
|
Passing yards |
126 |
401
|
Passing: comp–att–int |
15–24–2 |
33–42–0
|
Time of possession |
24:45 |
35:15
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
No. 23 Liberty
|
Passing |
Kaidon Salter |
15/24, 126 yards, TD, INT
|
Rushing |
Quinton Cooley |
8 carries, 79 yards
|
Receiving |
CJ Daniels |
8 catches, 79 yards
|
No. 8 Oregon
|
Passing |
Bo Nix |
28/35, 363 yards, 5 TD
|
Rushing |
Bucky Irving |
14 carries, 117 yards, TD
|
Receiving |
Tez Johnson |
11 catches, 172 yards, TD
|
Rankings
Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked RV = Received votes | Week |
---|
Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
---|
AP | RV | — | — | — | — | — | — | RV | RV | RV | 25 | 25 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 25 |
---|
Coaches | — | — | — | — | RV | — | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | 22 | 22 | 20 | RV |
---|
CFP | Not released | — | — | — | 25 | 24 | 23 | Not released |
---|
References
|
---|
Venues | |
---|
Bowls & rivalries | |
---|
Culture & lore | |
---|
People | |
---|
Seasons | |
---|
|
|