2023 Conference USA football season explained

2023 Conference USA football season
Color:
  1. 003865
Color Text:
  1. FFFFFF
Sport:Football
Pixels:200
Duration:August 26 – December 2, 2023
No Of Teams:9
Draft:2024 NFL Draft
Draft Link:2024 NFL draft
Top Pick:Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky
Picked By:New York Jets (round 3, pick 65)
Season:Regular season
Season Champs:Liberty
Mvp Link:Conference USA football individual awards
Finals:CUSA Championship Game
Finals Link:2023 Conference USA Football Championship Game
Finals Champ:Liberty
Finals Runner-Up:New Mexico State
Finals Mvp:Kaidon Salter, QB, Liberty
Prevseason Link:2022 Conference USA football season
Prevseason Year:2022
Nextseason Link:2024 Conference USA football season
Nextseason Year:2024

The 2023 Conference USA football season was the 28th season of college football play for Conference USA (CUSA). The season began on August 26, 2023 and ended with the Conference Championship Game on December 2, 2023.[1] The conference consisted of nine members and was part of the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season.

Previous season

See main article: 2022 Conference USA football season.

During the 2022 season, the UTSA Roadrunners posted the best record in the regular season. UTSA and North Texas advanced to the championship game, where UTSA won by a score of 48–27.

Conference realignment

Prior to the 2023 season, Conference USA saw substantial realignment, with six schools leaving the conference to join the American Athletic Conference: UTSA, North Texas, Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, Rice, and UAB.[2] Conference USA then invited four schools to join: Liberty and New Mexico State, who were both previously FBS independents; Jacksonville State, who were previously in the ASUN Conference at the Division I FCS level; and Sam Houston, who were previously in the Western Athletic Conference also at the Division I FCS level.[3] The realignment left CUSA with nine football members for the 2023 season. CUSA further announced that Kennesaw State, another member of the ASUN Conference, would move up beginning in 2024.[4]

On the same day the membership changes took effect (July 1, 2023), the conference unveiled a "brand refresh". The former abbreviation of "C-USA" was retired in favor of "CUSA", and the logo was slightly updated.[5]

Both Jacksonville State and Sam Houston were initially ineligible for both the conference championship and for bowl games due to their transition from the FCS level to FBS level. However, Jacksonville State received a berth in the New Orleans Bowl after only 79 non-transitional teams were eligible to fill the 82 bowl slots this season.

Preseason

Preseason poll

The preseason poll was released on July 21, 2023.[6]

Media poll
1 Western Kentucky 18
2 Liberty 4
3 Middle Tennessee
4 Louisiana Tech
5 New Mexico State
6 UTEP
7 Jacksonville State
8t FIU
8t Sam Houston

Preseason player awards

Preseason player awards were announced on July 24.[7]

Head Coaches

Note: All stats shown are before the start of the 2023 season.

TeamHead coachYears at schoolOverall record Record at schoolCUSA Record
style=FIUMike MacIntyre250–734–82–6
style=Jacksonville StateRich Rodriguez2172–121–29–20–0
style=LibertyJamey Chadwell199–570–00–0
style=Louisiana TechSonny Cumbie25–123–92–6
style=Middle TennesseeRick Stockstill18109–103109–10379–53
style=New Mexico StateJerry Kill2165–1107–60–0
style=Sam HoustonK. C. Keeler10259–100–185–270–0
style=UTEPDana Dimel647–7917–408–28
style=Western KentuckyTyson Helton532–2132–2123–8

Post-season changes

Rankings

See main article: 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings.

  Pre Wk
1
Wk
2
Wk
3
Wk
4
Wk
5
Wk
6
Wk
7
Wk
8
Wk
9
Wk
10
Wk
11
Wk
12
Wk
13
Wk
14
Final
FIUAP
C
CFPNot released
Jacksonville StateAP
C
CFPNot released
LibertyAPRVRV RV RV 2525 22 20 18
CRVRV RV RVRV RVRV22 22 20
CFPNot released252423
Louisiana TechAP
C
CFPNot released
Middle TennesseeAP
C
CFPNot released
New Mexico StateAPRV RV
CRV RV
CFPNot released
Sam HoustonAP
C
CFPNot released
UTEPAP
C
CFPNot released
Western KentuckyAP
C
CFPNot released
Legend
  Improvement in ranking
 Drop in ranking
 Not ranked previous week
 No change in ranking from previous week
RVReceived votes but were not ranked in Top 25 of poll
тTied with team above or below also with this symbol

Schedule

Index to colors and formatting
CUSA member won
CUSA member lost
CUSA teams in bold
The 2023 schedule was released on January 10, 2023.

All times Eastern time.

Conference USA Championship Game

Postseason

Bowl Games

See also: 2023–24 NCAA football bowl games.

Legend
 CUSA win
 CUSA loss
Bowl gameDateSiteTelevisionTime (EST)CUSA teamOpponentScoreAttendance
New Orleans BowlDecember 16Caesars Superdome • New Orleans, LAESPN2:15 p.m.Jacksonville StateLouisianaW 34–31OT14,485
New Mexico BowlDecember 16University StadiumAlbuquerque, NMESPN5:45 p.m.New Mexico StateFresno StateL 10–3730,822
Famous Toastery BowlDecember 18Jerry Richardson StadiumCharlotte, NCESPN2:30 p.m.Western KentuckyOld DominionW 38–35OT5,632
New Year's Six Bowl
Fiesta BowlJanuary 1, 2024State Farm StadiumGlendale, AZESPN1:00 p.m.No. 23 LibertyNo. 8 OregonL 6–4547,769

Rankings are from Final CFP rankings. All times Eastern Time Zone.

Selection of teams

Conference USA records vs other conferences

2023–2024 records against non-conference foes:

Power Conferences 5Record
ACC0–0
Big Ten0–3
Big 120–2
Pac-120–1
Notre Dame0–0
SEC1–4
Power 5 Total1–10
Other FBS ConferencesRecord
American2–2
Independents (Excluding Notre Dame)2–1
MAC3–0
Mountain West1–4
Sun Belt1–2
Other FBS Total9–9
FCS OpponentsRecord
Football Championship Subdivision8–0
Total Non-Conference Record18–19

Postseason

Power Five ConferencesRecord
ACC0–0
Big 120–0
Big Ten0–0
Notre Dame0–0
Pac-120–1
SEC0–0
Power 5 Total0–1
Other FBS ConferencesRecord
American0–0
Independents (Excluding Notre Dame)0–0
MAC0–0
Mountain West0–1
Sun Belt2–0
Other FBS Total2–1
Total Bowl Record2–2

Conference USA vs Power 5 matchups

This is a list of games CUSA teams scheduled against power conference teams (ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Pac-12, Notre Dame and SEC). All rankings are from the current AP Poll at the time of the game.

Date Conference Visitor Home Site Score
September 2 SEC Middle Tennessee L 7–56
September 2 Big 12 Sam Houston L 0–14
September 9 SEC Middle Tennessee L 19–23
September 9 Big Ten UTEP L 7–38
September 16 Pac-12 UTEP L 10–31
September 16 Big Ten Western Kentucky L 10–63
September 23 Big Ten Louisiana Tech L 14–28
September 23 Big 12 Sam Houston L 7–38
November 4 SEC Jacksonville State L 28–38
November 18 SEC FIU L 20–44
November 18 SEC New Mexico State W 31–10

Conference USA vs Group of Five matchups

The following games include CUSA teams competing against teams from the American, MAC, Mountain West, or Sun Belt.

Date Conference Visitor Home Site Score
September 2 American Louisiana Tech L 14–38
September 2 MAC Liberty Williams Stadium • Lynchburg, VA W 34–24
September 2 American Western Kentucky Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY W 41–24
September 9 American FIU Riccardo Silva Stadium • Westchester, FL W 46–39
September 9 Sun Belt Jacksonville State L 16–30
September 9 Mountain West Sam Houston L 3–13
September 16 American North Texas Louisiana Tech Joe Aillet Stadium • Ruston, LA L 37–40
September 16 MAC Liberty W 55–27
September 16 Mountain West New Mexico State W 27–17
September 23 MAC Jacksonville State Burgess–Snow Field at JSU Stadium • Jacksonville, AL W 21–0
September 23 Mountain West Middle Tennessee Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TN L 23–31
September 23 Mountain West New Mexico State L 17–20
September 23 Mountain West UTEP Sun Bowl • El Paso, TX L 28–45
September 23 Sun Belt Western Kentucky L 24–27
November 11 Sun Belt Liberty Williams Stadium • Lynchburg, VA W 38–10

Conference USA vs FBS independents matchups

The following games include CUSA teams competing against FBS Independents, which includes Army, UConn, or UMass.

Date Visitor Home Site Score
August 26 New Mexico State Aggie Memorial Stadium • Las Cruces, NM L 30–41
September 16 FIU W 24–17
November 18 UMass Liberty Williams Stadium • Lynchburg, VA W 49–25

Conference USA vs FCS matchups

Date Visitor Home Site Score
September 2 FIU Riccardo Silva Stadium • Westchester, FL W 14–12
September 2 Jacksonville State Burgess–Snow Field at JSU Stadium • Jacksonville, AL W 49–3
September 2 New Mexico State Aggie Memorial Stadium • Las Cruces, NM W 58–21
September 2 UTEP Sun Bowl • El Paso, TX W 28–14
September 9 Louisiana Tech Joe Aillet Stadium • Ruston, LA W 51–21
September 9 Western Kentucky Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY W 52–22
September 16 Middle Tennessee Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TN W 35–14
November 4 Sam Houston Bower Stadium • Huntsville, TX W 24–21

Awards and honors

Player of the week honors

WeekOffensive Defensive Special Teams
PlayerTeamPositionPlayerTeamPositionPlayerTeamPosition
Week 0[14] Smoke HarrisLouisiana TechWRJeremiah HarrisJacksonville StateSJack DawsonJacksonville StateP
Week 1[15] Kris MitchellFIUWRJaQues EvansWestern KentuckyLBLucas CarneiroWestern KentuckyK
Week 2[16] Kejon OwensFIURBTyrice KnightUTEPLBJacob BarnesLouisiana TechK
Week 3[17] Kaidon SalterLibertyQBSam BrumfieldMiddle TennesseeLBEthan AlbertsonNew Mexico StateK
Week 4[18] Kaidon Salter (2)LibertyQBChris HardieJacksonville StateDLJack Dawson (2)Jacksonville StateP
Week 5[19] Logan SmothersJacksonville StateQBBryson WashingtonWestern KentuckyLBSmoke HarrisLouisiana TechPR
Week 6[20] Malachi CorleyWestern KentuckyWRChris Hardie (2)Jacksonville StateDLMax MorganLibertyP
Week 7[21] Diego PaviaNew Mexico StateQBMaurice WestmorelandUTEPDLJoshua SloanUTEPP
Week 8[22] Zion WebbJacksonville StateQBReggie PetersonFIULBAlen KarajicJacksonville StateK
Week 9[23] Kaidon Salter (3)LibertyQBJaylen "J-Rock" SwainJacksonville StateDLBuzz FlabianoUTEPK
Week 10[24] Quinton CooleyLibertyRBDa'Marcus CrosbySam HoustonDBColby SessumsSam HoustonK
Week 11[25] Kaidon Salter (4)LibertyQBKavian GaitherSam HoustonLBEthan Albertson (2)New Mexico StateK
Week 12[26] Diego Pavia (2)New Mexico StateQBGabe PetersonNew Mexico StateLBKekoura TarnueJacksonville StateDB
Week 13[27] Austin ReedWestern KentuckyQBTrevor WilliamsSam HoustonLBEthan Albertson (3)New Mexico StateK

Conference USA Individual Awards

The following individuals received postseason honors as chosen by the league's head coaches.[28] [29]

Most Valuable PlayerKaidon Salter, QBLiberty
Offensive Player of the YearDiego Pavia, QBNew Mexico State
Defensive Player of the YearTyren Dupree, LBLiberty
Special Teams Player of the YearEthan Albertson, PKNew Mexico State
Freshman of the YearMichael Richard, DBLouisiana Tech
Newcomer of the YearQuinton Cooley, RBLiberty
Coach of the YearJamey Chadwell
Jerry Kill
Liberty
New Mexico State

All-Conference Teams

The following list contains players selected as members of the 2023 All-Conference Teams.[30]

PositionPlayerTeam
First Team Offense
WRSmoke Harrisstyle=Louisiana Tech
WRKelly Akharaiyistyle=UTEP
WRMalachi Corleystyle=Western Kentucky
OLX’Zauvea Gadlinstyle=Liberty
OLAndrew Meyerstyle=UTEP
OLKeylan Rutledgestyle=Middle Tennessee
OLShiyazh Petestyle=New Mexico State
OLElijah Kleinstyle=UTEP
TEHolden Willisstyle=Middle Tennessee
QBKaidon Salterstyle=Liberty
RBQuinton Cooleystyle=Liberty
RBMalik Jacksonstyle=Jacksonville State
First Team Defense
DEMaurice Westmorelandstyle=UTEP
DEChris Hardiestyle=Jacksonville State
DTSterling Webbstyle=New Mexico State
DTJordan Gueradstyle=FIU
LBTyrice Knightstyle=UTEP
LBTyren Dupreestyle=Liberty
LBTrevor Williamsstyle=Sam Houston
DBWillie Robertsstyle=Louisiana Tech
DBKobe Singletonstyle=Liberty
DBBrylan Greenstyle=Liberty
DBDa’Marcus Crosbystyle=Sam Houston
First Team Special Teams
KEthan Albertsonstyle=New Mexico State
PBlake Ochsendorfstyle=Louisiana Tech
LSBrody Butlerstyle=Middle Tennessee
KRAaron Bedgoodstyle=Liberty
PRSmoke Harrisstyle=Louisiana Tech
PositionPlayerTeam
Second Team Offense
WRKris Mitchellstyle=FIU
WRCJ Danielsstyle=Liberty
WRElijah Metcalfstyle=Middle Tennessee
OLJonathan Grahamstyle=Liberty
OLJordan Whitestyle=Liberty
OLTreylen Brownstyle=Jacksonville State
OLClay Webbstyle=Jacksonville State
OLCanaan Yarrostyle=New Mexico State
TESean Brownstyle=Jacksonville State
QBDiego Paviastyle=New Mexico State
RBDeion Hankinsstyle=UTEP
RBStar Thomasstyle=New Mexico State
Second Team Defense
DEPraise Amaewhulestyle=UTEP
DEQuindarius Dunniganstyle=Middle Tennessee
DTHosea Wheelerstyle=Western Kentucky
DTJay Hardystyle=Liberty
LBDonovan Manuelstyle=FIU
LBSam Brumfieldstyle=Middle Tennessee
LBKeyshaun Elliottstyle=New Mexico State
DBKendrick Simpkinsstyle=Western Kentucky
DBTeldrick Rossstyle=Middle Tennessee
DBJeremiah Harrisstyle=Jacksonville State
DBDerek Carterstyle=Jacksonville State
Second Team Special Teams
KJacob Barnesstyle=Louisiana Tech
PJoshua Sloanstyle=UTEP
LSCharlie Eberlestyle=New Mexico State
KRDemarcus Griffin-Taylorstyle=Louisiana Tech
PRDean Pattersonstyle=FIU

All-Americans

Currently, the NCAA compiles consensus all-America teams in the sports of Division I-FBS football and Division I men's basketball using a point system computed from All-America teams named by coaches associations or media sources. The system consists of three points for a first-team honor, two points for second-team honor, and one point for third-team honor. Honorable mention and fourth team or lower recognitions are not accorded any points. College Football All-American consensus teams are compiled by position and the player accumulating the most points at each position is named first team consensus all-American. Currently, the NCAA recognizes All-Americans selected by the AP, AFCA, FWAA, TSN, and the WCFF to determine Consensus and Unanimous All-Americans. Any player named to the First Team by all five of the NCAA-recognized selectors is deemed a Unanimous All-American.

PositionPlayerSchoolSelectorUnanimousConsensus
Second Team All-Americans
OLClay Webbstyle=Jacksonville StateAP, PFF, USAT, WCFF
SBrylan Greenstyle=LibertyFWAA

NFL draft

See also: 2024 NFL draft.

The NFL draft will be held at Campus Martius Park in Detroit. The following list includes all C-USA players in the draft.

List of selections

PlayerPositionSchoolDraft
Round
Round
Pick
Overall
Pick
Team
Malachi CorleyWRWestern Kentucky3165New York Jets
Tyrice KnightLBUTEP418118Seattle Seahawks
Elijah KleinOGUTEP644220Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FB: C-USA Announces 2023 Schedule. January 10, 2023. March 6, 2023. conferenceusa.com. Conference USA.
  2. Web site: AAC to add six new member schools from Conference USA ahead of 2023 college football season . Shehan. Jeyarajah. July 15, 2022. March 6, 2023. cbssports.com. CBS Sports.
  3. Web site: Vannini. Chris. November 5, 2021. Conference USA adds Liberty, New Mexico State, Sam Houston, Jacksonville State. live. March 6, 2023. The Athletic. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20211105172412/https://theathletic.com/news/conference-usa-adds-liberty-new-mexico-state-sam-houston-jacksonville-state/BAEjTewaDa07/ . 2021-11-05 .
  4. C-USA Adds Kennesaw State, Owls to Join in 2024 . Conference USA . October 14, 2022 . October 14, 2022.
  5. Conference USA Officially Welcomes Four New Members . Conference USA . July 1, 2023 . January 9, 2024.
  6. Web site: FB: CUSA Announces Media's Predicted Order of Finish. July 21, 2023. July 27, 2023. conferenceUSA.com. Conference USA.
  7. Web site: C-USA Announces 2023 Preseason Awards. July 24, 2023. July 29, 2023. conferenceusa.com. Conference USA.
  8. Web site: Liberty hires Jamey Chadwell; sides agree to 7-year deal, sources say. Pete. Thamel. December 4, 2022. March 6, 2023. espn.com. ESPN.
  9. News: Deaver . Colin . 2023-11-26 . UTEP parts ways with Dana Dimel after six seasons . en-US . . 2023-11-26.
  10. Web site: UTEP hires Scotty Walden away from Austin Peay to be coach. December 4, 2023. December 5, 2023. espn.com. ESPN.
  11. Massaro announces change in leadership for Blue Raider football . Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders . November 27, 2023 . November 27, 2023.
  12. Web site: Middle Tennessee hires Derek Mason: Ex-Vanderbilt coach returns to college football after one-year sabbatical. David. Cobb. December 6, 2023. December 6, 2023. cbssports.com. CBS Interactive.
  13. Web site: Jerry Kill steps down, Tony Sanchez named new NMSU head coach. December 23, 2023. December 23, 2023. Pete. Thamel. espn.com. ESPN.
  14. Web site: Aug. 28 CUSA Players of the Week. August 28, 2023. August 29, 2023. conferenceusa.com. Conference USA.
  15. Web site: Sept. 4 CUSA Players of the Week. September 4, 2023. September 4, 2023. conferenceusa.com. Conference USA.
  16. Web site: Sept. 11 CUSA Players of the Week. September 11, 2023. September 11, 2023. conferenceusa.com. Conference USA.
  17. Web site: Sept. 18 CUSA Players of the Week. September 18, 2023. September 19, 2023. conferenceusa.com. Conference USA.
  18. Web site: Sept. 25 CUSA Players of the Week. September 25, 2023. September 25, 2023. conferenceusa.com. Conference USA.
  19. Web site: Oct. 2 CUSA Players of the Week. October 2, 2023. October 2, 2023. conferenceusa.com. Conference USA.
  20. Web site: Oct. 9 CUSA Players of the Week. October 9, 2023. October 9, 2023. conferenceusa.com. Conference USA.
  21. Web site: Oct. 16 CUSA Players of the Week. October 16, 2023. October 16, 2023. conferenceusa.com. Conference USA.
  22. Web site: Oct. 23 CUSA Players of the Week. October 23, 2023. October 23, 2023. conferenceusa.com. Conference USA.
  23. Web site: October 30 CUSA Players of the Week. October 30, 2023. October 30, 2023. conferenceusa.com. Conference USA.
  24. Web site: November 6 CUSA Players of the Week. November 6, 2023. November 6, 2023. conferenceusa.com. Conference USA.
  25. Web site: November 13 CUSA Players of the Week. November 13, 2023. November 13, 2023. conferenceusa.com. Conference USA.
  26. Web site: November 20 CUSA Players of the Week. November 20, 2023. November 21, 2023. conferenceusa.com. Conference USA.
  27. Web site: November 27 CUSA Players of the Week. November 27, 2023. November 27, 2023. conferenceusa.com. Conference USA.
  28. Web site: CUSA Announces 2023 Players of the Year. December 6, 2023. December 10, 2023. conferenceusa.com. Conference USA.
  29. Web site: Liberty’s Chadwell, New Mexico State’s Kill Named CUSA Co-Coaches of the Year. December 6, 2023. December 10, 2023. conferenceusa.com. Conference USA.
  30. Web site: CUSA Announces 2023 All-Conference Teams. December 5, 2023. December 10, 2023. conferenceusa.com. Conference USA.