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liberty football year by year

liberty football year by year

2 min read 31-10-2024
liberty football year by year

Liberty Flames: A Year-by-Year Look at Their Rise to Prominence

The Liberty Flames, a program once rooted in the FCS, have made a meteoric ascent into the FBS ranks. With a passionate fanbase and a winning tradition, they've established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in college football. This year-by-year look explores their journey from humble beginnings to becoming a nationally recognized program.

Early Years: 1989-2017

  • 1989: Liberty's inaugural season in the Big South Conference saw them finish with a 5-6 record.
  • 1990: A 10-3 season, including a win in the inaugural ECAC South Atlantic Conference Championship, signaled early potential.
  • 1991: Liberty made their first appearance in the NCAA Division I-AA Playoffs, losing to Eastern Kentucky in the first round.
  • 1992: Another playoff appearance, but this time a second-round exit to Furman.
  • 1999: The Flames won their first Big South Conference Championship, defeating Coastal Carolina in the title game.
  • 2007: Liberty claimed their second Big South Conference title and returned to the playoffs, falling to Montana in the first round.
  • 2010: A dominant 9-2 season, with a convincing victory in the Big South Championship game over Coastal Carolina, culminated in a playoff berth. They lost to William & Mary in the first round.
  • 2011: Liberty captured their third Big South title, defeating Coastal Carolina again in the championship. However, their playoff run ended in the first round against Towson.
  • 2017: A 9-2 record, including a Big South Conference title, marked the last year of competition in the FCS.

The FBS Era: 2018-Present

  • 2018: Liberty joined the FBS, joining the independent ranks. A 6-6 record, including an impressive win over Baylor, signaled the Flames' competitiveness at the higher level.
  • 2019: The Flames achieved an 8-5 record, including a 4-1 record in their inaugural season as members of the Independent Football Association.
  • 2020: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the season, but Liberty finished with a 10-1 record and ranked No. 19 in the final AP poll.
  • 2021: A 7-5 record, including a bowl win over the University of Connecticut, solidified their status as a strong program in the FBS.
  • 2022: A 9-3 record, including a victory over No. 19 Coastal Carolina, saw the Flames reach the Cure Bowl for the second time in their FBS history.
  • 2023: The Flames are looking to build on their recent success and establish themselves as a consistent contender in the FBS.

Key Milestones and Notable Moments

  • 2019: Liberty's first-ever victory over an FBS opponent came against Baylor in the first game of the season.
  • 2020: The Flames achieved their first undefeated regular season since 1992, becoming only the second program to achieve this feat in their first four seasons at the FBS level.
  • 2020: A win over No. 18 Coastal Carolina propelled Liberty to a top-25 ranking for the first time in program history.
  • 2022: The Flames defeated their first ranked FBS opponent since 2007, securing a 24-21 victory over No. 19 Coastal Carolina.

Looking Ahead

The future looks bright for Liberty Football. Their success on the field, coupled with their growing fanbase and unwavering commitment to excellence, signals a program on the rise. They are no longer just a small-school program, but a serious contender in the FBS. The next chapter for Liberty Football is likely to be filled with even more wins, milestones, and exciting moments that will continue to cement their place in the college football landscape.

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