Liberty Flames College Football Pregame Quote, 11/28/2023

Obviously our team is excited about the opportunity on Friday night. We’ve had a tremendous season and thankful to be hosting in our inaugural year with the conference. Tons of respect for Coach Kill at New Mexico State for what he has been able to do and the way they have finished this season strong.

We spoke as a team about the value of this conference and that there is good football being played and what they were able to do when they went to SEC country and dominate the way they did, just speaks volumes how I think our conference stands. We’re thankful to represent Conference USA in the championship and looking forward to a great game Friday night.

Keys to a successful season in first year with new league:

I think as we have gone on throughout the season, we have gotten to know our team better. Early on in the season you are trying to figure out what we can do, who can do it and when we can do it. And as you go along, you get to know your team better and they get to know you better. I believe that is why we have gotten better throughout the season as we started to learn the strengths of our players and how to interact with them and to get them to play at the highest level.

The players have done a fantastic job believing in each other and believing in what we’re doing. Each week they build off the previous week while never staying satisfied.

On preparing for NM State for the second time this season:

It is challenging and unique. I have done it three times in previous years, between division two and FCS playoffs. So, I have experience with it before.

Obviously, we know each other. The thing that is different with this game is it has been 10 or 11 weeks since the first meeting. So, they are a very different ball club to what they were then, but we are too. It’s more like an NFL model when you play each other in your division twice, so it’s an exciting time. There are not going to be any surprises. I think it’s a unique experience to decide a true champion.

On Liberty’s chances of making a NY6 bowl game:

The most important thing is we must win Friday. It doesn’t matter what I think we deserve or earned unless we can finish the season as a conference champion because that is the number one priority. But if we are fortunate enough to win the game, I think if you look at what we have been able to do and what our conference has been able to achieve. I think it stacks up with any other team that is being considered.