FOOTBALL
2023 Football Media Release (August 21, 2023)
CUSA LEAGUE PLAY OVERALL
W-L Pct. H A Pts. Opp. W-L Pct. H A N Pts Opp.
FIU 0-0 .000 0-0 0-0 – – 0-0 .000 0-0 0-0 0-0 – –
Jax State 0-0 .000 0-0 0-0 – – 0-0 .000 0-0 0-0 0-0 – –
Liberty 0-0 .000 0-0 0-0 – – 0-0 .000 0-0 0-0 0-0 – –
Louisiana Tech 0-0 .000 0-0 0-0 – – 0-0 .000 0-0 0-0 0-0 – –
Middle Tennessee 0-0 .000 0-0 0-0 – – 0-0 .000 0-0 0-0 0-0 – –
New Mexico State 0-0 .000 0-0 0-0 – – 0-0 .000 0-0 0-0 0-0 – –
Sam Houston 0-0 .000 0-0 0-0 – – 0-0 .000 0-0 0-0 0-0 – –
UTEP 0-0 .000 0-0 0-0 – – 0-0 .000 0-0 0-0 0-0 – –
WKU 0-0 .000 0-0 0-0 – – 0-0 .000 0-0 0-0 0-0 – –
Jax State and Sam Houston are ineligible for the 2023 CUSA Championship Game and bowl games due to their transition from FCS
UPCOMING GAMES (ALL TIMES CT)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26
UTEP at Jax State (CBSSN) 4:30 p.m.
UMass at New Mexico State (ESPN) 6 p.m.
FIU at LA Tech (CBSSN) 8 p.m.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
LA Tech at SMU (ESPNU) 11 a.m.
Bowling Green at Liberty (CBSSN) 11 a.m.
East Tenn. State at Jax State (ESPN+) 1 p.m.
South Florida at WKU (CBSSN) 2:30 p.m.
Maine at FIU (ESPN+) 5:30 p.m.
MTSU at No. 4 Alabama (SEC Net) 6:30 p.m.
Western Illinois at New Mexico State (ESPN+) 8 p.m.
Incarnate Word at UTEP (ESPN+) 8 p.m.
Sam Houston at BYU (FS1) 9:15 p.m.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
UTEP at Northwestern (Big Ten Net) 2:30 p.m.
New Mexico State at Liberty (ESPN+) 5 p.m.
North Texas at FIU (ESPN+) 5:30 p.m.
Jax State at Coastal Carolina (ESPN+) 6 p.m.
Northwestern State at LA Tech (ESPN+) 6 p.m.
MTSU at Missouri (SEC Net+) 6 p.m.
Houston Christian at WKU (ESPN+) 6 p.m.
Air Force at Sam Houston (CBSSN) 7 p.m.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Liberty at Buffalo (CBSSN) 11 a.m.
FIU at UCONN (CBSSN) 2:30 p.m.
WKU at No. 3 Ohio State (Fox) 3 p.m.
North Texas at LA Tech (ESPN+) 6 p.m.
Murray State at MTSU (ESPN+) 6 p.m.
New Mexico State at New Mexico (MWN) 7 p.m.
UTEP at Arizona (Pac-12 Net) 10 p.m.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
Eastern Michigan at Jax State (ESPN Platforms) 4 p.m.
Liberty at FIU (ESPN Platforms) 5:30 p.m.
Colorado State at MTSU (ESPN Platforms) 6 p.m.
Sam Houston at Houston (Big 12 Now) 6 p.m.
WKU at Troy 6 p.m.
UNLV at UTEP (ESPN Platforms) 8 p.m.
New Mexico State at Hawai’i 11 p.m.
LA Tech at Nebraska TBD
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
MTSU at WKU (CBSSN) 6:30 p.m.
Jax State at Sam Houston (ESPNU) 7 p.m.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
LA Tech at UTEP (CBSSN) 8 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4
Jax State at MTSU (ESPNU) 7 p.m.
FIU at New Mexico State (CBSSN) 8 p.m.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5
Sam Houston at Liberty (CBSSN) 6 p.m.
WKU at LA Tech (ESPNU) 7 p.m.
Conference games in bold.
All times are listed in CT
All dates are subject to change based upon
television selections.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Conference USA will name an Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Player of the Week each
Monday during the season. The awards are selected by a panel of media members with one representative in each league city.
FOOTBALL
QUICK HITTERS
CUSA ADDS FOUR NEW MEMBERS
Conference USA enters 2023 with a new composition, having added four new members – Jacksonville
State, Liberty, New Mexico State and Sam Houston.
The quartet brings the 2023 membership to nine teams, joining FIU, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee,
UTEP and WKU.
Kennesaw State will join CUSA on July 1, 2024.
2023 SEASON OPENERS
Conference USA will be a focal point of Week 0, as five of its nine teams will be in action on Saturday,
Aug. 26, highlighted by a pair of league contests. Of the games (7) in Week 0, 42.8% involve CUSA teams.
UTEP at Jax State (CBSSN) 4:30 p.m.
UMass at New Mexico State (ESPN) 6 p.m.
FIU at LA Tech (CBSSN) 8 p.m.
Following an exciting 2022 campaign, the new-look Conference USA begins its 28th football season on
Saturday morning, opening the 2023 campaign.
UTEP (5-7, 3-5 CUSA in 2022) travels to Jacksonville, Alabama, to take on new league member Jax State
(9-2 in FCS in 2022) for the first of three games involving CUSA schools on Saturday, Aug. 26, when
they kick off at 4:30 p.m. CT on CBS Sports Network.
The Miners return a trio of key offensive stalwarts in QB Gavin Hardison (2,044 passing yards, 11 TDs and
eight INTs), WR Tyrin Smith (71 catches, 1,039 yards and seven TDs) and RB Deion Hankins (701 yards
rushing, 5.0 yards per carry) and three TDs), as well as four members of its offensive line. Defensively,
UTEP sees key fixtures LB Tyrice Knight (95.0 total tackles, 6.5 TFL, 1.0 sack) and DE Praise Amaewhule
(24.0 total tackles, 5.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks, eight QBH) return as well. For Jax State, head coach Rich Rodriguez’s group makes its FBS debut and will be paced offensively by RB Anwar Lewis (818 yards rushing,
7.1 yards per carry and eight touchdowns) and WR Sterling Galban (28 catches for 433 yards and three
scores). Though Rodriguez has not yet named his starter at quarterback (as of 8/21), the Gamecocks
do return seventh-year QB Zion Webb (threw for 1,737 yards and 10 TDs, with 13 more scores on the
ground and 647 yards on the ground at a 5.6 yards per carry clip). Defensively, Jax State is led by a pair
of safeties, Jeremiah Harris (68.0 total tackles, 2.5 TFL, three PBUs and a fumble recovery) and Kolbi Fuqua (55.0 total stops, 5.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles), as well as DL Chris Hardie (40.0 total tackles, 15.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks and four QBH).
New Mexico State (7-6 in 2022), another newcomer to the league, opens its non-conference schedule by
hosting UMass (1-11) at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN. Jerry Kill’s offensive group returns QB Diego Pavia (1,450 passing yards, 14 TDs to six interceptions, as well as 508 rushing yards and six more scores on the ground), RB Star Thomas (520 rushing yards and five scores) and WR Kordell David (24 catches for 343 yards and a team-best four TDs). Defensively, DB Andre Seldon returns for the Aggies (44.0 total tackles, 1.5 TFL, one interception and four PBUs). NM State closed the 2022 campaign, Kill’s first at the helm, with six wins in its final seven games to build towards 2023.
Louisiana Tech (3-9, 2-6 CUSA in 2022) and FIU (4-8, 2-6 CUSA in 2022) cap the evening with a league contest in Ruston at 8 p.m. CT on CBS Sports Network. Both teams enter year two under their respective head coaches – Sonny Cumbie at LA Tech and Mike MacIntyre at FIU. The Bulldogs bring in Boise State transfer QB Hank Bachmeier (6,605 career passing yards as a Bronco with 41 TDs to 19 INTs from 2019-22). The Bulldogs also return RB Marquis Crosby (918 rushing yards as a freshman with nine TDs and a 5.0 yards per carry average) and WR/RET Smoke Harris (66 catches for 640 yards and five TDs). Defensively, LA Tech returns defensive backs Cecil Singleton, Jr. (56.0 total tackles, 6.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks, one INT and five PBUs) and Willie Roberts (29.0 total stops, four INTs and seven PBUs). For FIU, the Panthers return QB Grayson James (1,962 passing yards with 11 TDs and 11 INTs to go along with 223 yards rushing and three more scores) and WR Kris Mitchell (23 catches for 348 yards and four TDs). Defensively the Panthers are led by LB Donovan Manuel (97.0 total tackles, 8.5 TFL, one sack and a fumble recovery) and DL Jeramy Passmore (43.0 total tackles, 2.0 TFL, one sack and a blocked kick).
2023 ROUND ROBIN SCHEDULE
Conference USA’s nine-team configuration in 2023 allows for a true round robin schedule format to
decide the participants of the CUSA Championship game on Friday, Dec. 1.
CUSA COACHING DEBUTS
With four new teams set to debut in Conference USA in 2023, that means the league has four new head coaches: Rich Rodriguez enters year two at Jacksonville State, Jamey Chadwell begins his tenure at Liberty, Jerry Kill is in his second year at New Mexico State and K.C. Keeler is set to begin his 10th season at Sam Houston
2023 MIDWEEK SCHEDULE
Conference USA’s new television deal with partners CBS Sports Network and ESPN, features a new midweek scheduling model for beginning this fall. 19 CUSA games will take place on weeknights through-
out the month of October, enhancing linear exposure for the league and its programs.
REED ALL ABOUT IT!
WKU QB Austin Reed returns for the 2023 season as the nation’s leading returning passer. He led the country in 2022 in passing yardage (4,746) and finished his first season in Bowling Green by completing 389-of-603 for 4,746 yards with 40 touchdowns to just 11 interceptions. He also chipped in on the
ground, carrying 91 times for 224 yards and eight more touchdowns.
YAC KING
WKU WR Malachi Corley returns for the Hilltoppers and is the nation’s returning leading receiver. He
hauled in 101 passes last season for 1,295 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2022. The combination of Corley
and QB Austin Reed has the HIlltoppers poised for another explosive offensive season in Bowling Green.
AP TOP 25
Rk Team Rec. Conf. LW
1 Georgia (60) 0-0 SEC –
2 Michigan (2) 0-0 B10 –
3 Ohio State (1) 0-0 B10 –
4 Alabama 0-0 SEC –
5 LSU 0-0 SEC –
6 USC 0-0 P12 –
7 Penn State 0-0 B10 –
8 Florida State 0-0 ACC –
9 Clemson 0-0 ACC –
10 Washington 0-0 P12 –
11 Texas 0-0 B12 –
12 Tennessee 0-0 SEC –
13 Notre Dame 0-0 FBS IND. –
14 Utah 0-0 P12 –
15 Oregon 0-0 P12 –
16 Kansas State 0-0 B12 –
17 TCU 0-0 B12 –
18 Oregon State 0-0 P12 –
19 Wisconsin 0-0 B10 –
20 Oklahoma 0-0 B12 –
21 North Carolina 0-0 ACC –
22 Ole Miss 0-0 SEC –
23 Texas A&M 0-0 SEC –
24 Tulane 0-0 AAC –
25 Iowa 0-0 B10 –
Others Receiving Votes: Texas Tech 101, South Carolina 73, UCLA 66, UTSA 64, Arkansas 22, Boise State 17, Pittsburgh 16, Kentucky 14, Troy 10, Louisville 10, Auburn 7, Minnesota 6, Duke 4, Toledo 4, Mississippi State 4, Florida 4, Baylor 3, Illinois 3, Coastal Carolina 3, NC State 1, South Alabama 1, James Madison
1, Liberty 1.
2023 SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN
Here’s a look at CUSA’s non-league FBS opponents by conference during the 2023 season:
ACC: none
American: North Texas (2), SMU, South Florida
Big 12: BYU, Houston
Big Ten: Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State
MAC: Bowling Green, Buffalo, Eastern Michigan
Mountain West: Air Force, Colorado State, Hawai’i,
New Mexico, UNLV
Pac-12: Arizona
SEC: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Missouri, South
Carolina
Sun Belt: Coastal Carolina, Old Dominion, Troy
Independent: UCONN, UMass (2)
RETURNING STARTERS
Here’s a look at the returning starters on offense, defense and special teams (including punt and kick
returners) for each Conference USA school:
School OFF DEF ST
FIU 6 5 5
Jax State 9 7 6
Liberty 5 3 1
Louisiana Tech 7 4 2
QUICK HITTERS/BROADCAST INFORMATION/CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION
Middle Tennessee 5 8 3
New Mexico State 8 4 4
Sam Houston 7 8 6
UTEP 7 6 5
WKU 9 5 2
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS
Here’s a look at the number of lettermen returning and lost for each C-USA school:
School Ret. Lost
FIU 57 37
Jax State 50 42
Liberty 26 38
Louisiana Tech 45 54
Middle Tennessee 44 17
New Mexico State 55 52
Sam Houston 47 21
UTEP 41 22
WKU 41 35
RETURNING NATIONAL LEADERS
CUSA has several players that are ranked among the top 10 returnees in major statistical categories.
Returning Completions Per Game Leaders
3rd Austin Reed, WKU 27.79
Returning Passing Yards Leaders
1st Austin Reed, WKU 4,746
Returning Passing Yards Per Game Leaders
2nd Austin Reed, WKU 339.0
Returning Passing Touchdowns Leaders
2nd Austin Reed, WKU 40
Returning Total Offense Leaders
3rd Austin Reed, WKU 355.0
Returning Points Responsible For Leaders
2nd Austin Reed, WKU 296
Returning Points Responsible For Leaders
2nd Austin Reed, WKU 21.1
Returning Receiving Touchdowns
T-3rd Malachi Corley, WKU 11
Returning Receiving Yards
1st Malachi Corley, WKU 1,295
Returning Receiving Yards Per Game
6th Malachi Corley, WKU 92.5
10th Tyrin Smith, UTEP 86.6
Returning Receptions Per Game Leaders
1st Malachi Corley, WKU 7.2
Returning Yards Per Reception Leaders
1st Cyrus Allen, LA Tech 22.73
Returning Forced Fumbles Leaders (Per Game)
8th Cecil Singleton, LA Tech 0.25
Returning Fumbles Recovered Leaders
T-2nd J’Dan Burnett, LA Tech 3
Returning Passes Defended Leaders (Per Game)
2nd Teldrick Ross, MTSU 1.7
Returning Kick Return Average Leaders
7th Smoke Harris, LA Tech 27.2
Returning Punt Return Average
4th Smoke Harris, LA Tech 12.4
PRESEASON AWARDS
(as selected by the league’s nine head coaches)
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Austin Reed, RS Sr., QB, WKU
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
JaQues Evans, Jr., LB, WKU
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Smoke Harris, RS Sr., KR/PR, Louisiana Tech
PRESEASON WATCH LIST
(as selected by the league’s nine head coaches)
OFFENSE
QB Gavin Hardison, RS Sr., UTEP
QB Grayson James, Jr., FIU
QB Diego Pavia, Sr., New Mexico State
QB Austin Reed, RS Sr., WKU
RB Anwar Lewis, RS Jr., Jacksonville State
RB Frank Peasant, Jr., Middle Tennessee
WR Ife Adeyi, Sr., Sam Houston
WR Malachi Corley, Jr., WKU
WR Noah Frith, Sr., Liberty
WR Smoke Harris, RS Sr., Louisiana Tech
TE Sean Brown, RS Jr., Jacksonville State
OL Carson Bruno, RS So., Louisiana Tech
OL X’Zauvea Gadlin, Sr., Liberty
OL Ethan Hagler, Sr., Sam Houston
OL Elijah Klein, RS Sr., UTEP
OL Quantavious Leslie, Jr., WKU
OL Jacob Peace, Sr., FIU
OL Shiyazh Pete, RS So., New Mexico State
OL Keylan Rutledge, So., Middle Tennessee
DEFENSE
DE Praise Amaewhule, RS Sr., UTEP
DE J-Rock Swain, Jr., Jacksonville State
DL Kendy Charles, Sr., Liberty
DL Marley Cook, RS Jr., Middle Tennessee
DL Jordan Guerad, RS So., FIU
DL Deshon Hall, Sr., Louisiana Tech
DL Chris Hardie, RS Jr., Jacksonville State
DL Markel Perry, Gr., Sam Houston
DL Dion Wilson Jr., Jr., New Mexico State
LB JaQues Evans, Jr., WKU
LB Kavian Gaither, Jr., Sam Houston
LB Tyrice Knight, RS Sr., UTEP
LB Donovan Manuel, Sr., FIU
DB Quinton Reese, Sr., Liberty
DB Willie Roberts, Sr., Louisiana Tech
DB Teldrick Ross, RS Sr., Middle Tennessee
DB Andre Seldon, RS So., New Mexico State
SPECIAL TEAMS
K Nick Brown, So., Liberty
K Alen Karajic, Jr., Jacksonville State
K Zeke Rankin, Jr., Middle Tennessee
K/P Jadon Cardell, RS So., Sam Houston
P Tom Ellard, RS So., WKU
P Daton Montiel, RS Jr., FIU
P Joshua Sloan, Jr., UTEP
PR/KR Smoke Harris, RS Sr., Louisiana Tech
KR Jonathan Brady, So., New Mexico State
ACADEMIC PERFORMER
OL Jacob Peace, Sr., FIU
DL Jackson Luttrell, Sr., Jacksonville State
QB Trey Lowe, Sr., Liberty
OL Abraham Delfin, Gr., Louisiana Tech
LB Devyn Curtis, RS So., Middle Tennessee
OL Canaan Yarro, RS Jr., New Mexico State
LB Trevor Williams, Gr., Sam Houston
OL Andrew Meyer, RS Sr., UTEP
OL Vincent Murphy, RS Jr., WKU
PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
(as selected by a panel of the league’s media)
- WKU (18)
- Liberty (4)
- Middle Tennessee
- Louisiana Tech
- New Mexico State
- UTEP
- Jacksonville State
- FIU
Sam Houston
(First place votes in parentheses)
WATCH THIS!
2023 National watch lists are beginning to make their
rounds, and include several CUSA standouts.
AFCA Good Works Team (Community Service)
X’Zauvea Gadlin, OL, Sr., Liberty
Richard Kinley, DE, RS Jr., MTSU
JaQues Evans, LB, Jr., WKU
Athlon Preseason All-American
Malachi Corley, WR, Jr., WKU (Fourth Team)
Bednarik Award (Nation’s Best Defensive Player)
Tyrice Knight, LB, RS Sr., UTEP
JaQues Evans, LB, Jr., WKU
Biletnikoff Award (Nation’s Best Receiver)
Tyrin Smith, WR, Sr., UTEP
Malachi Corley, WR, Jr., WKU
Bronko Nagurski Trophy (Nation’s Best Defensive Player)
Kendy Charles, DL, Sr., Liberty
Tra Fluellen, S, Sr., MTSU
Praise Amaewhule, DE, RS Sr., UTEP
Tyrice Knight, LB, RS Sr., UTEP
JaQues Evans, LB, Jr., WKU
Butkus Award (Nation’s Best LB)
Tyrice Knight, LB, RS Sr., UTEP
JaQues Evans, LB, Jr., WKU
College Football News Preseason All-American
Teldrick Ross, DB, RS Sr., MTSU (Honorable Mention)
Malachi Corley, WR, Jr., WKU (Honorable Mention)
Austin Reed, QB, RS Sr., WKU (Honorable Mention)
Dave Campbell’s Texas Football All-Texas Team
Tyrice Knight, LB, RS Sr., UTEP (First Team)
Markel Perry, DL, GS, Sam Houston (Second Team)
Joshua Sloan, P, Jr., UTEP (Second Team)
Davey O’Brien Award (Nation’s Best QB)
Austin Reed, QB, RS Sr., WKU
Doak Walker Award (Nation’s Best RB)
Marquis Crosby, RB, RS So., Louisiana Tech
Frank Peasant, RB, Jr., MTSU
Deion Hankins, RB, RS Jr., UTEP
Davion Ervin-Pointdexter, RB, RS Jr., WKU
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award (Offensive Player
of the Year with a Texas Connection)
Grayson James, QB, Jr., FIU
X’Zauvea Gadlin, OL, Sr., Liberty
Nate Jones, TE, Jr., Louisiana Tech
Kordell David, WR, RS Jr., New Mexico State
Ife Adeyi, WR, RS Jr., Sam Houston
Deion Hankins, RB, RS Jr., UTEP
- BROADCAST INFORMATION/CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION
East-West Shrine Bowl 1000
Lexington Joseph, RB, Sr., FIU (expected to miss ‘23)
Donovan Manuel, LB, Sr., FIU
Kolbi Fuqua, S, RS Jr., Jax State
Clay Webb, OL, RS Jr., Jax State
X’Zauvea Gadlin, OL, Sr., Liberty
Kobe Singleton, DB, Jr., Liberty
Hank Bachmeier, QB, Sr., Louisiana Tech
Deshon Hall, DL, Sr., Louisiana Tech
Smoke Harris, WR, RS Sr., Louisiana Tech
Willie Roberts, DB, Sr., Louisiana Tech
Tra Fluellen, S, Sr., MTSU
Teldrick Ross, DB, RS Sr., MTSU
Zaylin Wood, DE, RS Jr., MTSU
Ife Adeyi, WR, RS Jr., Sam Houston
Praise Amaewhule, DE, RS Sr., UTEP
Gavin Hardison, QB, RS Sr., UTEP
Elijah Klein, OL, RS Sr., UTEP
Tyrice Knight, LB, RS Sr., UTEP
Malachi Corley, WR, Jr., WKU
Wes Dorsey, OL, RS Jr., WKU
JaQues Evans, LB, Jr., WKU
Quantavious Leslie, OL, Jr., WKU
John Mackey Award (Nation’s Best TE)
Josiah Miamen, TE, Jr., FIU
Sean Brown, TE, RS Jr., Jax State
Lombardi Award (Best OL/DL)
Marley Cook, DL, RS Jr., MTSU
Manning Award (Nation’s Best QB)
Austin Reed, QB, RS Sr., WKU
Maxwell Award (Nation’s Most Outstanding Player)
Diego Pavia, QB, Sr., New Mexico State
Malachi Corley, WR, Jr., WKU
Austin Reed, QB, RS Sr., WKU
Outland Trophy (Nation’s Best Interior Lineman)
Kendy Charles, DL, Sr., Liberty
X’Zauvea Gadlin, OL, Sr., Liberty
Keyland Rutledge, OL, So., MTSU
Quantavious Leslie, OL, Jr., WKU
Paycom Jim Thorpe Award (Nation’s Best DB)
Willie Roberts, DB, Sr., Louisiana Tech
Tra Fluellen, S, Sr., MTSU
Teldrick Ross, DB, RS Sr., MTSU
Upton Stout, DB, RS So., WKU
Phil Steele Preseason All-American
Smoke Harris, AP, RS Sr., Louisiana Tech (First Team)
Malachi Corley, WR, Jr., WKU (Fourth Team)
Ray Guy Award (Nation’s Best P)
Daton Montie, P, RS Jr., FIU
Joshua Sloan, P, Jr., UTEP
Rimington Trophy (Nation’s Best C)
Andrew Meyer, C, Sr., UTEP
Walter Camp Award (Nation’s Most Outstanding Player)
Austin Reed, QB, RS Sr., WKU
Wuerffel Trophy (Community Service)
Jeramy Passmore, DL, RS Jr., FIU
X’Zauvea Gadlin, OL, Sr., Liberty
Abraham Delfin, OL, Gr., Louisiana Tech
Teldrick Ross, DB, RS Sr., MTSU
Canaan Yarro, OL, RS Jr., New Mexico State
Trevor Williams, LB, Gr., Sam Houston
Malachi Corley, WR, Jr., WKU
JaQues Evans, LB, Jr., WKU
Austin Reed, QB, RS Sr., WKU
WORKING OVERTIME
Here’s a look at CUSA overtime games in 2022 and
all-time.
2022 CUSA Overtimes
FIU 38, Bryant 37 (OT) – 9/1/22
No. 24 Houston 37, UTSA 35 (3OT) – 9/3/22
UTSA 41, Army West Point 38 (OT) – 9/10/22
Indiana 33, WKU 30 (OT) – 9/17/22
Rice 42, Louisiana Tech 41 (OT) – 10/22/22
FIU 42, Louisiana Tech 34 (2OT) – 10/28/22
UTSA 44, UAB 38 (2OT) – 11/5/22
WKU 32, Florida Atlantic 31 (OT) – 11/26/22
Overtime Records 1996-2022
Teams All Games CUSA Games
FIU 7-6 2-2
Jax State* 9-8 0-0
Liberty^ 8-9 0-0
Louisiana Tech 4-10 2-4
Middle Tennessee 6-6 4-2
New Mexico State 2-5 0-0
Sam Houston* 3-7 0-0
UTEP 6-3 5-3
WKU& 13-5 4-2
- – all as an FCS program
^ – Liberty is 2-1 in OT games since its move to FBS
& – WKU is 8-4 since its move to FBS
CUSA BROADCAST INFORMATION
Conference USA has announced its initial broadcast
schedule for the 2023 football season. The current
confirmed schedule features games to air nationally
by the league’s primary partners and every CUSA
football game is expected to be available on traditional linear television or streaming via ESPN+.
CUSA games will be available this fall via CBS Sports Network and ESPN Platforms. The majority of these
exposures will take place on Saturday, with select Thursday and Friday night telecasts also being featured in addition to the new midweek scheduling model for the month of October.
Some non-conference CUSA games will also be made available as part of other conferences television agreements. Those games will continue to be added to the schedule this fall as part of those agreements.
The 2023 CUSA Championship game, slated for Friday, December 1, will be broadcast live on CBS Sports
Network.
Additional Conference USA football broadcast exposures will be released as soon as they are finalized.
Please note that all dates and times are subject to change.
ABOUT CBS SPORTS NETWORK
CBS Sports Network, the 24-hour home of CBS Sports, is available through all major cable, satellite
and telco distributors as well as via OTT streaming service providers YouTube TV, fuboTV, DirecTV and
Hulu. Additionally, a live CBS Sports Network stream is available through CBSSports.com and the CBS
Sports App with select providers. For more information, including a full programming schedule, go to
www.cbssportsnetwork.com
ABOUT ESPN AND ESPN+
ESPN, Inc. is the leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment brand featuring the broadest portfolio of multimedia sports assets. Based in Bristol, Conn., ESPN launched on September 7, 1979, and is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. Hearst holds a 20 percent interest.
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 24.3 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at
ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices).
2023 CONFERENCE USA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Conference USA will host its 19th annual football championship game in 2023.
The event, slated for Friday, December 1, will be televised by CBS Sports Network. The team with the highest league winning percentage will serve as host site for the game.
The title game will feature the top two finishers in the league’s regular season. Eleven different schools
have hosted the first 18 championship games.
Year Champion (CUSA Record)
2022 UTSA (8-0)
2021 UTSA (7-1)
2020 UAB (3-1)
2019 Florida Atlantic (7-1)
2018 UAB (7-1)
2017 Florida Atlantic (8-0)
2016 WKU (7-1)
2015 WKU (8-0)
2014 Marshall (7-1)
2013 Rice (7-1)
2012 Tulsa (7-1)
2011 Southern Miss (7-1)
2010 UCF (7-1)
2009 East Carolina (6-2)
2008 East Carolina (6-2)
2007 UCF (7-1)
2006 Houston (7-1)
2005 Tulsa (6-2)
CUSA TIEBREAKER
Home field for the CUSA Championship Game will be awarded to the team that posts the highest regular season winning percentage against conference opposition. The first tiebreaker is the winner of a head-to-head match-up. Additional tiebreakers are in place in the event of a tie of three or more teams.
CUSA BOWL SYNOPSIS
Conference USA is in year four the league’s six-year cycle of the bowl lineup, concluding with the 2025 season. The conference is guaranteed seven bowl appearances in each year of the cycle and will have associations with up to 16 different bowls. As part of the new bowl cycle, CUSA will annually send teams to the Bahamas Bowl against a Mid-American Conference opponent, and to the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, against a Sun Belt Conference school. The league has participated in all eight Bahamas Bowls and has placed a team in the New Orleans Bowl 18 times in its first 22 years.
The league continues its relationship with the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl. CUSA is guaranteed to send a team to the Shreveport, Louisiana-based bowl in 2025, while holding a secondary agreement with the bowl in the other years of the cycle. CUSA also continues its long-standing relationship with the easypost Hawai’i Bowl. The league is set to participate in the Honolulu-based game in 2024.
The conference’s remaining guaranteed selections in the cycle (either four or five per season) will include the 68 Ventures Bowl (Mobile, Alabama) or from among 11 games which are owned and operated by ESPN Events. A backup opportunity also exists for the Quick Lane Bowl after ESPN and/or Independence Bowl slots have been filled.
Guaranteed selections each season:
Hometown Lenders Bahamas Bowl
(Nassau, Bahamas)
www.bahamasbowl.com
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
(New Orleans, Louisiana)
www.neworleansbowl.org
Guaranteed selections selected seasons:
Easypost Hawai’i Bowl
(Honolulu, Hawai’i) – 2024
www.thehawaiibowl.com
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl
(Shreveport, Louisiana) – 2025
www.radiancetechnologiesindependencebowl.com
CONFERENCE USA BOWL PARTNERS
Remaining selections (4-5 per season) from this group:
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
(Fort Worth, Texas)
www.armedforcesbowl.com
TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl
(Birmingham, Alabama)
ticketsmarterbirminghambowl.com
Roofclaim.com Boca Raton Bowl
(Boca Raton, Florida)
thebocaratonbowl.com
Camellia Bowl
(Montgomery, Alabama)
camelliabowl.com
Cure Bowl
(Orlando, Florida)
curebowl.com
Wasabi Fenway Bowl
(Boston, Massachusetts)
mlb.com/redsox/fenway-bowl
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl
(Dallas, Texas)
firstresponderbowl.com
Scooter Coffee Frisco Bowl
(Frisco, Texas)
thefriscobowl.com
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl
(Tampa, Florida)
gasparillabowl.com
68 Ventures Bowl
(Mobile, Alabama)
68venturesbowl.com
Myrtle Beach Bowl
(Myrtle Beach, South Carolina)
myrtlebeachbowlgame.com
New Mexico Bowl
(Albuquerque, New Mexico)
newmexicobowl.com
There is no set selection order among C-USA’s bowl partners.
CUSA and the College Football Playoff
As a member of the College Football Playoff, Conference USA will be a part of one of the CFP bowls if it produces the highest rated champion from among the American Athletic, CUSA, Mid-American, Mountain West and Sun Belt Conferences.
The Playoff
During the 2014-15 season, college football entered a new era when postseason playoffs began. The format is simple: top four teams, two semifinals played in bowl games, and a national championship game played in a different city each year. Each semifinal will be played during the New Year’s holiday with the national championship game in prime time on a Monday night at least a week later.
The Selection Committee
A selection committee will choose the four teams for the playoff based on their performance during the regular season, including, strength of schedule, head-to-head results, championships won, and other factors. The teams will be seeded so that No. 1 will play No. 4 in one semifinal and No. 2 will meet No. 3 in the other, with the two winners advancing to the national championship game.
The Rotation
The semifinals rotate among six different bowls, extending the experience to more fans. In the years when the bowls are not hosting semifinals, the bowls will feature eight other teams in four compelling matchups.
For the 2023-24 season, the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (Dec. 29), Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl
(Dec. 30) the Capital One Orange Bowl (Dec. 30) and VRBO Fiesta Bowl (Jan. 1), will host its regular bowl games, while the Rose Bowl (Jan. 1) and Allstate Sugar Bowl (Jan. 1) will host semifinals. The College Football Championship will be held on Monday, Jan. 8 in Houston, Texas.
FLAGSHIP RADIO STATIONS
Below is the flagship radio station for each Conference USA football school:
School Station Signal PxP
FIU WQBA-AM 1140 AJ Ricketts
Jax State WIJLS 91.9 Mike Parris
Liberty WRVL-FM 88.3 Alan York
Louisiana Tech Malcolm Butler
Middle Tenn. WGNS 100.5, 101.9, 1450 AM
WQZQ-FM (Nashville) 93.1 Chip Walters
NM State KXPZ-FM 91.5 Jack Nixon
Sam Houston KSAM-FM 101.7 Carlos Zimmerman
UTEP KLAQ-FM 95.5
ESPN Radio 600 Jon Teicher
WKU WWKU-FM 102.7 Randy Lee
CUSA WEBSITES
Here are the official websites for each CUSA school:
FIU www.FIUSports.com
Jacksonville State www.jaxstatesports.com
Liberty www.libertyflames.com
Louisiana Tech www.LATechSports.com
Middle Tennessee www.GoBlueRaiders.com
New Mexico State www.nmstatesports.com
Sam Houston www.gobearkats.com
UTEP www.UTEPAthletics.com
WKU www.WKUSports.com
TEAM-BY-TEAM SCHEDULES
FIU (0-0, 0-0 CUSA)
DATE OPPONENT (TV) TIME
A26 at LA Tech (CBSSN) 8 p.m.
S2 MAINE (ESPN+) 5:30 p.m.
S9 NORTH TEXAS (ESPN+) 5:30 p.m.
S16 at UCONN (CBSSN) 2:30 p.m.
S23 LIBERTY (ESPN Platforms) 5:30 p.m.
O4 (Wed.)at New Mexico State (CBSSN) 8 p.m.
O11 (Wed.) UTEP (ESPN2) 6:30 p.m.
O18 (Wed.) at Sam Houston (CBSSN) 6 p.m.
O25 (Wed.) JAX STATE (CBSSN) 6 p.m.
N11 at MTSU (ESPN Platforms) 2:30 p.m.
N18 at Arkansas TBD
N25 WKU (ESPN Platforms) 2 p.m.
All times CT and along with dates, are subject to change based upon television selections.
JACKSONVILLE STATE (0-0, 0-0 CUSA)
DATE OPPONENT (TV) TIME
A26 UTEP (CBSSN) 4:30 p.m.
S2 EAST TENN. STATE (ESPN+) 1 p.m.
S9 at Coastal Carolina (ESPN+) 6 p.m.
S23 EASTERN MICHIGAN (ESPN Platforms) 4 p.m.
S28 (Th.) at Sam Houston (ESPNU) 7 p.m.
O4 (Wed.) at MTSU (ESPNU) 7 p.m.
O10 (Tues.)LIBERTY (ESPNU) 6:30 p.m.
O17 (Tues.) WKU (ESPNU) 6:30 p.m.
O25 (Wed.) at FIU (CBSSN) 6 p.m.
N4 at South Carolina TBD
N18 LA TECH (ESPN Platforms) 1 p.m.
N25 at New Mexico State (ESPN Platforms) 3 p.m.
All times CT and along with dates, are subject to change based upon television selections.
LOUISIANA TECH (0-0, 0-0 CUSA)
DATE OPPONENT (TV) TIME
A26 FIU (CBSSN) 8 p.m.
S2 at SMU (ESPNU) 11 a.m.
S9 NORTHWESTERN STATE (ESPN+) 6 p.m.
S16 NORTH TEXAS (ESPN+) 6 p.m.
S23 at Nebraska TBD
S29 (Fri.) at UTEP (CBSSN) 8 p.m.
O5 (Th.) WKU (ESPNU) 7 p.m.
O10 (Tues.)at MTSU (CBSSN) 6 p.m.
O24 (Tues.)NEW MEXICO STATE (CBSSN) 6 p.m.
N4 at Liberty (CBSSN) 5 p.m.
N11 SAM HOUSTON (ESPN Platforms) 2 p.m.
N18 at Jax State (ESPN Platforms) 1 p.m.
All times CT and along with dates, are subject to change based upon television selections.
LIBERTY (0-0, 0-0 CUSA)
DATE OPPONENT (TV) TIME
S2 BOWLING GREEN (CBSSN) 11 a.m.
S9 NEW MEXICO STATE (ESPN+) 5 p.m.
S16 at Buffalo (CBSSN) 11 a.m.
S23 at FIU (ESPN Platforms) 5:30 p.m.
O5 (Th.) SAM HOUSTON (CBSSN) 6 p.m.
O10 (Tues.)at Jax State (ESPNU) 6:30 p.m.
O17 (Tues.) MTSU (CBSSN) 6 p.m.
O24 (Tues.) at WKU (ESPNU) 6:30 p.m.
N4 LA TECH (CBSSN) 5 p.m.
N11 OLD DOMINION (ESPN Platforms) 12 p.m.
N18 UMASS (ESPN Platforms) 12 p.m.
N25 at UTEP (CBSSN) 2:30 p.m.
All times CT and along with dates, are subject to change based upon television selections.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE (0-0, 0-0 CUSA)
DATE OPPONENT (TV) TIME
S2 at No. 4 Alabama (SEC Net) 6:30 p.m.
S9 at Missouri (SEC Net+) 6 p.m.
S16 MURRAY STATE (ESPN+) 6 p.m.
S23 COLORADO STATE (ESPN Platforms) 6 p.m.
S28 (Th.) at WKU (CBSSN) 6:30 p.m.
O4 (Wed.) JAX STATE (ESPNU) 7 p.m.
O10 (Tues.)LA TECH (CBSSN) 6 p.m.
O17 (Tues.) at Liberty (CBSSN) 6 p.m.
N4 at New Mexico State (ESPN Platforms) 5 p.m.
N11 FIU (ESPN Platforms) 2:30 p.m.
N18 UTEP (ESPN Platforms) 1 p.m.
N25 at Sam Houston (ESPN Platforms) 11 a.m.
All times CT and along with dates, are subject to change based upon television selections.
TEAM-BY-TEAM SCHEDULES
NEW MEXICO STATE (0-0, 0-0 CUSA)
DATE OPPONENT (TV) TIME
A26 UMASS (ESPN) 6 p.m.
S2 WESTERN ILLINOIS (ESPN+) 8 p.m.
S9 at Liberty (ESPN+) 5 p.m.
S16 at New Mexico 7 p.m.
S23 at Hawai’i 11 p.m.
O4 (Wed.) FIU (CBSSN) 8 p.m.
O11 (Wed.) SAM HOUSTON (CBSSN) 8 p.m.
O18 (Wed.) at UTEP (ESPN2) 8 p.m.
O24 (Tues.) at LA Tech (CBSSN) 6 p.m.
N4 MTSU (ESPN Platforms) 5 p.m.
N11 at WKU (ESPN Platforms) 2:30 p.m.
N18 at Auburn TBD
N25 JAX STATE (ESPN Platforms) 3 p.m.
All times CT and along with dates, are subject to change based upon television selections.
SAM HOUSTON (0-0, 0-0 CUSA)
DATE OPPONENT (TV) TIME
S2 at BYU (FS1) 9:15 p.m.
S9 AIR FORCE (CBSSN) 7 p.m.
S23 at Houston (Big 12 Now) 6 p.m.
S28 (Th.) JAX STATE (ESPNU) 7 p.m.
O5 (Th.) at Liberty (CBSSN) 6 p.m.
O11 (Wed.) at New Mexico State (CBSSN) 8 p.m.
O18 (Wed.) FIU (CBSSN) 6 p.m.
O25 (Wed.) UTEP (ESPN2) 7 p.m.
N4 KENNESAW STATE (ESPN Platforms) 12 p.m.
N11 at LA Tech (ESPN Platforms) 2 p.m.
N18 at WKU (ESPN Platforms) 2:30 p.m.
N25 MTSU (ESPN Platforms) 11 a.m.
All times CT and along with dates, are subject to change based upon television selections.
UTEP (0-0, 0-0 CUSA)
DATE OPPONENT (TV) TIME
A26 at Jax State (CBSSN) 8 p.m.
S2 INCARNATE WORD (ESPN+) 8 p.m.
S9 at Northwestern (Big Ten Net) 2:30 p.m.
S16 at Arizona (Pac-12 Net) 10 p.m.
S23 UNLV (ESPN Platforms) 8 p.m.
S29 (Fri.) LA TECH (CBSSN) 8 p.m.
O11 (Wed.) at FIU (ESPN2) 6:30 p.m.
O18 (Wed.)NEW MEXICO STATE (ESPN2) 8 p.m.
O25 (Wed.) at Sam Houston (ESPN2) 7 p.m.
N4 WKU (ESPN Platforms) 8 p.m.
N18 at MTSU (ESPN Platforms) 1 p.m.
N25 LIBERTY (CBSSN) 2:30 p.m.
All times CT and along with dates, are subject to change based upon television selections.
WKU (0-0, 0-0 CUSA)
DATE OPPONENT (TV) TIME
S2 SOUTH FLORIDA (CBSSN) 2:30 p.m.
S9 HOUSTON CHRISTIAN (ESPN+) 6 p.m.
S16 at No. 3 Ohio State (FOX) 3 p.m.
S23 at Troy 6 p.m.
S28 (Th.) MTSU (CBSSN) 6:30 p.m.
O5 (Th.) at LA Tech (ESPNU) 7 p.m.
O17 (Tues.) at Jax State (ESPNU) 6:30 p.m.
O24 (Tues.) LIBERTY (ESPNU) 6:30 p.m.
N4 at UTEP (ESPN Platforms) 8 p.m.
N11 NEW MEXICO STATE (ESPN Platforms) 2:30 p.m.
N18 SAM HOUSTON (ESPN Platforms) 2:30 p.m.
N25 at FIU (ESPN Platforms) 2 p.m.
All times CT and along with dates, are subject to change based upon television selections.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26
UTEP at Jax State (CBSSN) 4:30 p.m.
UMass at New Mexico State (ESPN) 6 p.m.
FIU at LA Tech (CBSSN) 8 p.m.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
LA Tech at SMU (ESPNU) 11 a.m.
Bowling Green at Liberty (CBSSN) 11 a.m.
East Tenn. State at Jax State (ESPN+) 1 p.m.
South Florida at WKU (CBSSN) 2:30 p.m.
Maine at FIU (ESPN+) 5:30 p.m.
MTSU at No. 4 Alabama (SEC Net) 6:30 p.m.
Western Illinois at New Mexico State (ESPN+) 8 p.m.
Incarnate Word at UTEP (ESPN+) 8 p.m.
Sam Houston at BYU (FS1) 9:15 p.m.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
UTEP at Northwestern (Big Ten Net) 2:30 p.m.
New Mexico State at Liberty (ESPN+) 5 p.m.
North Texas at FIU (ESPN+) 5:30 p.m.
Jax State at Coastal Carolina (ESPN+) 6 p.m.
Northwestern State at LA Tech (ESPN+) 6 p.m.
MTSU at Missouri (SEC Net+) 6 p.m.
Houston Christian at WKU (ESPN+) 6 p.m.
Air Force at Sam Houston (CBSSN) 7 p.m.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Liberty at Buffalo (CBSSN) 11 a.m.
FIU at UCONN (CBSSN) 2:30 p.m.
WKU at No. 3 Ohio State (Fox) 3 p.m.
North Texas at LA Tech (ESPN+) 6 p.m.
Murray State at MTSU (ESPN+) 6 p.m.
New Mexico State at New Mexico (MWN) 7 p.m.
UTEP at Arizona (Pac-12 Net) 10 p.m.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
Eastern Michigan at Jax State (ESPN Platforms) 4 p.m.
Liberty at FIU (ESPN Platforms) 5:30 p.m.
Colorado State at MTSU (ESPN Platforms) 6 p.m.
Sam Houston at Houston (Big 12 Now) 6 p.m.
WKU at Troy 6 p.m.
UNLV at UTEP (ESPN Platforms) 8 p.m.
New Mexico State at Hawai’i 11 p.m.
LA Tech at Nebraska TBD
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
MTSU at WKU (CBSSN) 6:30 p.m.
Jax State at Sam Houston (ESPNU) 7 p.m.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
LA Tech at UTEP (CBSSN) 8 p.m.
COMPOSITE SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4
Jax State at MTSU (ESPNU) 7 p.m.
FIU at New Mexico State (CBSSN) 8 p.m.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5
Sam Houston at Liberty (CBSSN) 6 p.m.
WKU at LA Tech (ESPNU) 7 p.m.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10
LA Tech at MTSU (CBSSN) 6 p.m.
Liberty at Jax State (ESPNU) 6:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11
UTEP at FIU (ESPN2) 6:30 p.m.
Sam Houston at New Mexico State (CBSSN) 8 p.m.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17
MTSU at Liberty (CBSSN) 6 p.m.
WKU at Jax State (ESPNU) 6:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18
FIU at Sam Houston (CBSSN) 6 p.m.
New Mexico State at UTEP (ESPN2) 8 p.m.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24
New Mexico State at LA Tech (CBSSN) 6 p.m.
Liberty at WKU (ESPNU) 6:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25
Jax State at FIU (CBSSN) 6 p.m.
UTEP at Sam Houston (ESPN2) 7 p.m.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4
Kennesaw State at Sam Houston (ESPN Platforms) 12 p.m.
LA Tech at Liberty (CBSSN) 5 p.m.
MTSU at New Mexico State (ESPN Platforms) 5 p.m.
WKU at UTEP (ESPN Platforms) 8 p.m.
Jax State at South Carolina TBD
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11
Old Dominion at Liberty (ESPN Platforms) 12 p.m.
Sam Houston at LA Tech (ESPN Platforms) 2 p.m.
FIU at MTSU (ESPN Platforms) 2:30 p.m.
New Mexico State at WKU (ESPN Platforms) 2:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18
UMass at Liberty (ESPN Platforms) 12 p.m.
LA Tech at Jax State (ESPN Platforms) 1 p.m.
UTEP at MTSU (ESPN Platforms) 1 p.m.
Sam Houston at WKU (ESPN Platforms) 2:30 p.m.
FIU at Arkansas TBD
New Mexico State at Auburn TBD
