DALLAS - Conference USA teams finished 6-3 in Week 1 of the 2023 season, as all nine teams were in action on Saturday. Liberty picked up its first win as a CUSA member, while FIU, Jax State, New Mexico State, UTEP and WKU all were victorious.

CHADWELL ERA AT LIBERTY OPENS WITH WIN | Box Score
Liberty (1-0) opened its CUSA era with a 34-24 win at home over MAC foe Bowling Green (0-1). It marked new head coach Jamey Chadwell’s first win with the Flames and the 100th of his career. Liberty’s defense recorded five interceptions, including a pair by LB Jerome Jolly, Jr. Redshirt sophomore QB Kaidon Salter was dynamic for the Flames, throwing for 143 yards and two scores with no interceptions, and also ran for 82 yards in the win. Sophomore DL Chris Boti finished with 2.5 TFL and 1.5 sacks in the win.



JAX STATE COASTS TO 2-0, WIN 49-3 | Box Score
Jax State (2-0, 1-0 CUSA) improved to 2-0 with a comfortable 49-3 home win over FCS foe East Tennessee State (0-1). The Gamecocks ran for 237 yards, including a strong performance by RB Malik Jackson, who carried 12 times for 100 yards and a touchdown.  QB Logan Smothers finished 13-17 for 127 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions in his first career start to go along with 14 carries for 40 yards and two more scores in the win. Defensively, Jax State forced four turnovers, giving them seven on the young season already. They also recorded three sacks in the win.

REED, EVANS LEAD WKU TO 41-24 WIN | Box Score
WKU (1-0) opened its 2023 season with a 41-24 win over AAC foe South Florida (0-1). CUSA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year QB Austin Reed led the way for the Hilltoppers, completing 29-50 passes for 336 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions and also carried three times for 27 yards and another score. Defensively, CUSA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year LB JaQues “Donut” Evans finished with seven stops, and a highlight reel sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery and rturned it 27 yards for a touchdown to put an exclamation mark on the victory.



JENKINS LEADS FIU TO FIRST WIN OF 2023 | Box Score
FIU (1-1, 0-1 CUSA) picked up its first win of the 2023 season, holding off Maine (0-1) 14-12 in Miami on Saturday night. True freshman QB Keyone Jenkins completed 15-30 passes for 290 yards and two touchdowns in the win, his first career start. His favorite target was WR Kris Mitchell, who hauled in nine passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, LB Donovan Manuel recorded a game-high 14 tackles, and a pair of tackles for loss in the win.

HANKINS PACES MINERS TO WIN OVER UIW | Box Score
UTEP (1-1, 0-1 CUSA) knocked off Incarnate Word (0-1) 28-14 in El Paso on Saturday night to even its record. RB Deion Hankins carried 24 times for 174 yards in the win for the Miners, and QB Gavin Hardison threw a pair of touchdown passes. LB Tyrice Knight had a game-high 16 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. The Miners held UIW scoreless in the second half, and outgained the Cardinals 423-308.

AGGIES BOUNCE BACK WITH DOMINANT WIN | Box Score
New Mexico State (1-1) bounced back at home Saturday night with a comfortable 58-21 win over Western Illinois (0-1). The Aggies rolled up 650 yards of total offense, and were led by QB Diego Pavia, who completed 16-20 passes for 317 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. RB Star Thomas paced a productive running game (277 rushing yards), carrying 12 times for 96 yards and a pair of scores,  while WR Jonathan Brady hauled in four catches for 102 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, DL Nikhil Webb-Walker had 1.5 sacks and a quarterback hurry in the win.



SAM HOUSTON MAKES CUSA DEBUT AT BYU | Box Score
Sam Houston (0-1) kept it close in Provo against BYU (1-0), falling 14-0 on the road in its FBS and CUSA debut. The Bearkats defense held the Cougars to 257 yards of total offense and just 14 points, but couldn’t get things going offensively. Sam Houston will take on Air Force next week in Houston at Reliant Stadium, at 7 p.m. CT on CBS Sports Network.

LA TECH FALLS TO 1-1 WITH LOSS AT SMU | Box Score
Louisiana Tech (1-1, 1-0 CUSA) traveled to Dallas and fell 38-14 at SMU on Saturday. The Bulldogs struggled out of the gates, falling behind 31-0 at the half, but outscored the Mustangs 14-7 in the second half. The Bulldogs host Northwestern State next Saturday at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN+.

MTSU DROPS OPENER AT NO. 4 ALABAMA | Box Score
Middle Tennessee (0-1) fell at No. 4 Alabama (1-0) Saturday night in Tuscaloosa, 56-7. The Blue Raiders travel to take on another SEC foe next Saturday, when they make the trek to take on Missouri at 6 p.m. CT on SEC Network+.