Liberty made it through the season unscathed.
Now, the Flames didn’t play Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, Florida State, Oklahoma, Florida State, or any of the programs that might have been a real problem to deal with, but they did finish the season 13-0, winning the Conference USA championship on Friday night at home, beating New Mexico State, 49-35 to do so (Kaidon Salter leads unbeaten No. 20 Liberty past New Mexico State 49-35 for C-USA title | AP News).
Liberty got a huge performance from quarterback Kaidon Salter: 20-of-25 for 319 yards and two touchdowns, and 165 yards rushing on 12 carries.
As the story points out, if Tulane loses to SMU today in the American Athletic Conference title game, Liberty could make a New Year’s Six bowl game.
Liberty coach Jamey Chadwell lobbied for his team’s case after the game, in front of the home crowd.
“If you’ve watched us for 13 weeks, we’re the best G5 team in this country,” Chadwell said, referring to the Group of Five. “Six wins over bowl teams. Our average margin of victory is 17 points. We have dominated our opponents. We belong in that New Year’s Six.”
