No. 24 Liberty remained perfect this year with a 49-35 victory over New Mexico State (10-4) in the Conference USA Championship Game on Friday night. The win not only gives the Flames (13-0) their first FBS conference title, it also keeps them alive for a possible New Year’s Six bowl game bid under first-year coach Jamey Chadwell.
The Flames defeated New Mexico State 28-14 in the final 30 minutes. Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter finished the game 20 of 25 yards for 319 yards and two touchdowns. He added 165 yards and a score on the ground, giving the program its sixth straight double-digit win.
New Mexico State (10-4) finishes the year with its best record since 1960, but will have to wait at least another year for the program’s first conference title. The Aggies won just 35 total games between 2009 and 2021 before coach Jerry Kill arrived in 2022.
- Liberty is in a tough battle with Tulane for the Group of Five’s automatic New Year’s Six bowl bid. Liberty fans will be eager spectators when the Green Wave take on SMU in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game on Saturday.
- New Mexico State quarterback Diego Pavia injured his elbow during a 75-yard touchdown pass early in the third quarter, bringing an unfortunate end to an outstanding day. He finished the game 11 of 16 for 188 yards and three touchdowns. Substitute Blaze Berlowitz had to finish the game for the Aggies. He finished 10 of 19 for 134 yards, a score and an interception.
- The Flames scored 49 points and 712 yards of total offense against a New Mexico State group that came into the game with the No. 1 defense in Conference USA.
- Liberty captures the Conference USA title in its first year of membership. The Flames have been independent since moving to FBS in 2018.