Early 2024 preview: Liberty at Sam Houston

We’ve begun our series of early looks at the teams on Liberty’s 2024 schedule. We’ll give a quick look at the 12 teams that stand in the Flames’ way of a second straight undefeated season as second-year head coach Jamey Chadwell prepares his team to defend its 2023 CUSA title.

Liberty will conclude the regular season on Black Friday in Huntsville, Texas against the Sam Houston Bearkats. What will be at stake for the Flames in this game?

Sam Houston

• When: Friday, November 29 at Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, Texas (3:30 p.m. CBSSN)
• Last year’s review: 3-9, 2-6 CUSA (tied 6th)
• Coach: KC Keeler, 88-36 in 10 years at Sam Houston
• SP+ 2024 ranking: 108th
• Series History: Liberty leads 1-0

Last meeting: October 5, 2023: Liberty’s defense held on the final play to secure a 21-16 victory over Sam Houston and keep the season undefeated. Facing a first down and a three-point field goal, Liberty cornerback Kobe Singleton had two pass breakups, including his last on a fourth down into the end zone, ending the game. CJ Daniels had five receptions for a career-high 157 yards, including a 51-yard touchdown.

Program History:

National Championships: 2 (NAIA and FCS)

Conference Championships: 15

Bowl summary: 0-0

Last Bowl appearance: N / A

KC Keeler is an experienced and proven coach. He guided Sam Houston to the FCS playoffs six times and won the FCS national title. He also led Delaware to the FCS national championship in 2003.

Last year was a rough one for the Bearkats who started the year 0-8 with 4 close losses. They finished 3-1 in their last four games to build momentum heading into 2024.

Many believe Sam Houston could be a surprise team and finish in the middle of the pack in CUSA this season. They have 12 returning starters and a bowl game is within the realm of realistic outcomes.

There are questions at quarterback, but two capable newcomers could answer them. Hunter Watson led Iowa Western to the JUCO national title last year by throwing for 1,904 yards, 22 touchdowns and four interceptions. Jase Bauer made nine starts at Central Michigan last year, where he threw for 1,881 yards, 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Defense was the team’s strength last year, but Sam Houston returns just four starters on that side of the ball.

What’s at stake?

It’s nearly impossible to try to predict what might be on the line for a game at the end of the regular season here in July. Could Sam Houston be playing in its first-ever bowl game and that crucial sixth win? Will the Flames need a win to clinch a spot or perhaps home-field advantage in the CUSA title game? Will Liberty be undefeated and within striking distance of the CFP as the top-ranked G5 conference champion? All of these things could be on the line when Liberty spends Thanksgiving in Texas later this year.

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