By Bert Leeson
November 25, 2023
DALLAS – CFP No. 25 Liberty capped off an undefeated regular season with a comfortable 42-28 win at UTEP, while the Flames’ CUSA Championship Game opponent, New Mexico State won its eighth consecutive game Saturday, beating Jax State 20-17 on a walkoff field goal. WKU improved to 7-5 with a 41-28 win at FIU, while Sam Houston closed its season winners of three of its last four, knocking off MTSU 23-20 in Huntsville.
NO. 25 LIBERTY IMPROVES TO 12-0 | Box Score
CFP No. 25 Liberty (12-0, 8-0 CUSA) recorded just the third undefeated regular season (overall record) in Conference USA history with a 42-28 win at UTEP (3-9, 2-6 CUSA) on Saturday night in El Paso. It marks the first unblemished regular season by a CUSA team since Houston did so in 2011 (Tulane had the other, in 1998). The Flames, who lead the nation in rushing, ran for 441 yards in the win, and four different players had at least 65 yards on the ground. RB Quinton Cooley carried 14 times for 65 yards and three touchdowns, while QB Kaidon Salter led the way with 12 carries for 94 yards. The Flames led 42-14 before removing their starters. Defensively, DL Jay Hardy finished with five tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss and a sack. Liberty now sets its sights on hosting a rematch with New Mexico State (10-3) in the 2023 CUSA Championship Game on Friday, Dec. 1, at 6 p.m. CT on CBS Sports Network with an undefeated season, and possible New Year’s Six spot on the line. The Flames beat the Aggies 33-17 earlier this season way back on Sept. 9, also in Lynchburg, Virginia.
NM STATE WINS EIGHTH STRAIGHT TO REACH DOUBLE DIGIT VICTORIES | Box Score
New Mexico State (10-3, 7-1 CUSA) kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired, beating Jax State (8-4, 6-2 CUSA) 20-17 in Las Cruces Saturday night. The Aggies have won eight straight, and have reached double digit victories for just the second time in program history and first since 1960 (an 11-0 season). Despite four turnovers and a late comeback attempt by the Gamecocks, the Aggies came out on top. QB Diego Pavia completed 23-24 passes for 269 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, and also added a team-high 68 yards on the ground. WR Trent Hudson caught five passes for 70 yards and a score in the win. Defensively, LB Gabe Peterson recorded nine tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and a sack in the win. The Aggies are now set to travel to Lynchburg, Virginia, next week for the 2023 CUSA Championship Game for a rematch of the Sept. 9 battle, also in Lynchburg, which Liberty won 33-17.
COURTESY CONFERENCE USA COMMUNICATIONS
