DALLAS - Week 10 brought some clarity to the CUSA title race, as 9-0 Liberty, one of just seven undefeated teams remaining in the FBS, clinched hosting duties for the CUSA Championship Game on Friday, Dec. 1 with its commanding win over LA Tech. Additionally, the second spot in the game is now down to two teams, New Mexico State and WKU, who also both won on Saturday. Sam Houston also picked up its first win as an FBS program, downing future conference-mate Kennesaw State, 24-21, in a thriller in Huntsville.
9-0 LIBERTY WILL HOST CUSA TITLE GAME | Box Score
Liberty (9-0, 7-0 CUSA) clinched hosting duties for the 2023 CUSA Championship Game with its 56-30 win at home Saturday night over LA Tech (3-7, 2-4 CUSA). The Flames also sealed their first 9-0 start in program history and are one of just seven undefeated teams at the FBS level.
QB Kaidon Salter was scintillating yet again, completing 16-25 passes for 297 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions, to go along with 50 yards rushing on six carries (8.3 yards per carry).
RB Quinton Cooley posted his fifth straight 100-yard performance for the Flames, carrying 23 times for 179 yards and two scores in the win. Defensively,
LB Tyren Dupree had 12 total tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup in the victory.
NM STATE SECURES BOWL ELIGIBILITY | Box Score
New Mexico State (7-3, 5-1 CUSA) held on to defeat MTSU (2-7, 1-4 CUSA) Saturday night in Las Cruces to secure bowl eligibility. The Aggies are now set to go bowling in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1959 and 1960. It also marked the first time the Aggies have won five consecutive conference games in program history.
QB Diego Pavia was 16-31 for 220 yards and 15 carries for 67 yards in the win.
S Jordan Vincent led the Aggies with 10 tackles. NM State inched closer to a spot in the CUSA Championship Game with its win, and has an opportunity to clinch a spot with a win at WKU next week.
WKU STAYS IN RACE FOR TITLE GAME SPOT | Box Score
WKU (5-4, 3-2 CUSA) defeated UTEP (3-7, 2-4 CUSA) 21-13 on Saturday night in El Paso to remain in contention for a spot in the CUSA Championship Game. The Hilltoppers were shut out in the first half, but scored 21 second half points to knock off the Miners and move within one game of bowl eligibility for the fifth straight season. RB Elijah Young was key for the Hilltoppers, carrying 12 times for 139 and two touchdowns in the win. Defensively, WKU was led by DB Takulve Williams, who recorded a team-high 12 tackles and one tackle for loss, LB Desmyn Baker, who had nine stops and 1.5 tackles for loss and LB Sebastian Benjamin, who recorded 1.5 sacks in the victory.
SAM HOUSTON PICKS UP FIRST FBS WIN | Box Score
Sam Houston (1-8) came from 14 down at home to pick up its first-ever win as an FBS program, beating future conference-mate Kennesaw State (2-6) 24-21, thanks to a game-winning 35-yard field goal by Colby Sessums as time expired. QB Keegan Shoemaker finished 30-38 for 242 yards with three touchdowns and one interception, while WR Noah Smith caught seven passes for 78 yards and a touchdown, and also added 13 yards on the ground in the win. Defensively, LB DaMarcus Crosby led the Bearkats in tackles with 10, and also had a key fourth quarter interception that helped set up the game-winning field goal. Kennesaw State is set to join Conference USA on July 1, 2024 and become the league’s 10th member.
JAX STATE FALLS SHORT AT SOUTH CAROLINA | Box Score
Jax State (7-3) was marching in the red zone inside the final two minutes with a chance to take a late lead at SEC foe South Carolina (3-6), however a late pick-six doomed the Gamecocks from Jacksonville, Alabama, as they ultimately fell 38-28. WR Perry Carter caught five passes for 106 yards and a touchdown, while QB Zion Webb finished 12-23 for 183 yards with two scores and an interception, in addition to 65 yards rushing on 16 carries. Defensively, DL Chris Hardie recorded four tackles, two sacks and a quarterback hurry.