2023 Conference USA football season

Last updated

2023 Conference USA football season
CUSA logo.svg
League NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision
Sport Football
DurationAugust 26 – December 2, 2023
Number of teams9
2024 NFL Draft
Regular season
Season champions Liberty
CUSA Championship Game
ChampionsLiberty
  Runners-up New Mexico State
Finals MVP Kaidon Salter, QB, Liberty
Seasons
2024 
2023 Conference USA football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
No. 25 Liberty y$  8 0   13 1  
New Mexico State y  7 1   10 5  
Jacksonville State*  6 2   9 4  
Western Kentucky  5 3   8 5  
Middle Tennessee  3 5   4 8  
UTEP  2 6   3 9  
Sam Houston*  2 6   3 9  
Louisiana Tech  2 6   3 9  
FIU  1 7   4 8  
Championship: Liberty 49, New Mexico State 35
  • $ Conference champion
  • y Championship game participant
  • * – Ineligible for postseason play due to FCS-to-FBS transition rules
Rankings from AP Poll

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.

Contents

Previous 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
Predicted finishTeam1st place votes
1Western Kentucky18
2Liberty4
3Middle Tennessee
4Louisiana Tech
5New Mexico State
6UTEP
7Jacksonville State
8tFIU
8tSam 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 recordRecord at schoolCUSA Record
FIU Mike MacIntyre 250–734–82–6
Jacksonville State Rich Rodriguez 2172–121–29–20–0
Liberty Jamey Chadwell 199–570–00–0
Louisiana Tech Sonny Cumbie 25–123–92–6
Middle Tennessee Rick Stockstill 18109–103109–10379–53
New Mexico State Jerry Kill 2165–1107–60–0
Sam Houston K. C. Keeler 10259–100–185–270–0
UTEP Dana Dimel 647–7917–408–28
Western Kentucky Tyson Helton 532–2132–2123–8

Post-season changes

Rankings

 PreWk
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
LibertyAPRVRVRVRV2525222018
CRVRVRVRVRVRVRV222220
CFPNot released252423
Louisiana TechAP
C
CFPNot released
Middle TennesseeAP
C
CFPNot released
New Mexico StateAPRVRV
CRVRV
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. [1]

All times Eastern time.

Week 0

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
August 265:30 p.m. UTEP Jacksonville State Burgess–Snow Field at JSU StadiumJacksonville, AL CBSSN  JVST 17–14  17,982
August 267:00 p.m. UMass New Mexico State Aggie Memorial StadiumLas Cruces, NM ESPN L 30–41  15,356
August 269:00 p.m. FIU Louisiana Tech Joe Aillet StadiumRuston, LA CBSSN  LT 22–17  16,299
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week 1

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
September 212:00 p.m. Louisiana Tech SMU Gerald J. Ford StadiumUniversity Park, TX ESPNU L 14–38  21,490
September 212:00 p.m. Bowling Green Liberty Williams StadiumLynchburg, VA CBSSN W 34–24  18,811
September 22:00 p.m. East Tennessee State Jacksonville StateBurgess–Snow Field at JSU Stadium • Jacksonville, AL ESPN+ W 49–3  21,276
September 23:30 p.m. South Florida Western Kentucky Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith StadiumBowling Green, KY CBSSN W 41–24  15,438
September 26:30 p.m. Maine FIU Riccardo Silva StadiumWestchester, FL ESPN+ W 14–12  16,878
September 27:30 p.m. Middle Tennessee No. 4  Alabama Bryant–Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL SECN L 7–56  100,077
September 29:00 p.m. Western Illinois New Mexico StateAggie Memorial Stadium • Las Cruces, NM ESPN+ W 58–21  17,943
September 29:00 p.m.No. 7 (FCS)  Incarnate Word UTEP Sun BowlEl Paso, TX ESPN+ W 28–14  30,738
September 210:15 p.m. Sam Houston BYU LaVell Edwards StadiumProvo, UT FS1 L 0–14  59,006
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week 2

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
September 93:30 p.m.UTEP Northwestern Ryan FieldEvanston, IL BTN L 7–38  14,851
September 96:00 p.m.New Mexico StateLibertyWilliams Stadium • Lynchburg, VA ESPN+  LIB 33–17  20,123
September 96:30 p.m. North Texas FIURiccardo Silva Stadium • Westchester, FL ESPN+ W 46–39  15,754
September 97:00 p.m.Jacksonville State Coastal Carolina Brooks StadiumConway, SC ESPN+ L 16–30  16,006
September 97:00 p.m. Northwestern State Louisiana Tech Joe Aillet Stadium • Ruston, LA ESPN+ W 51–21  19,152
September 97:00 p.m.Middle Tennessee Missouri Faurot FieldColumbia, MO SECN+/ESPN+ L 19–23  57,645
September 97:00 p.m. Houston Christian Western KentuckyHouchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY ESPN+ W 52–22  20,712
September 98:00 p.m. Air Force Sam Houston NRG StadiumHouston, TX CBSSN L 3–13  25,121
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week 3

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
September 1612:00 p.m.Liberty Buffalo UB StadiumAmherst, NY CBSSN W 55–27  13,020
September 163:30 p.m.FIU UConn Pratt & Whitney StadiumEast Hartford, CT CBSSN W 24–17  20,405
September 164:00 p.m.Western KentuckyNo. 6  Ohio State Ohio StadiumColumbus, OH FOX L 10–63  100,217
September 167:00 p.m.North Texas Louisiana Tech Joe Aillet Stadium • Ruston, LA ESPN+ L 37–40  17,434
September 167:00 p.m. Murray State Middle Tennessee Johnny "Red" Floyd StadiumMurfreesboro, TN ESPN+ W 35–14  16,605
September 168:00 p.m.New Mexico State New Mexico University StadiumAlbuquerque, NM (Rio Grande Rivalry)W 27–17  27,414
September 1611:00 p.m.UTEP Arizona Arizona StadiumTucson, AZ P12N L 10–31  44,182
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week 4

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
September 2312:00 p.m.Western Kentucky Troy Veterans Memorial StadiumTroy, AL ESPNUL 24–27  26,124
September 233:30 p.m. Louisiana Tech Nebraska Memorial StadiumLincoln, NE BTNL 14–28  87,115
September 235:00 p.m. Eastern Michigan Jacksonville StateBurgess–Snow Field at JSU Stadium • Jacksonville, ALESPN+W 21–0  20,966
September 236:30 p.m.LibertyFIURiccardo Silva Stadium • Westchester, FLESPN+ LIB 38–6  17,437
September 237:00 p.m.Sam Houston Houston TDECU StadiumHouston, TX B12N/ESPN+L 7–38  35,044
September 237:00 p.m. Colorado State Middle TennesseeJohnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TNESPN+L 23–31  19,806
September 239:00 p.m. UNLV UTEPSun Bowl • El Paso, TXESPN+L 28–45  28,042
September 2311:59 p.m.New Mexico State Hawaii Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics ComplexHonolulu, HI L 17–20  10,254
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week 5

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
September 287:30 p.m.Middle TennesseeWestern KentuckyHouchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY (100 Miles of Hate)CBSSN WKU 31–10  14,712
September 288:00 p.m.Jacksonville StateSam Houston Bowers StadiumHuntsville, TX ESPNU JVST 35–28 OT 14,566
September 299:00 p.m.Louisiana TechUTEPSun Bowl • El Paso, TXCBSSN LT 24–10  9,101
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week 6

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
October 48:00 p.m.Jacksonville StateMiddle TennesseeJohnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TN ESPNU  JVST 45–30  13,066
October 49:00 p.m.FIUNew Mexico StateAggie Memorial Stadium • Las Cruces, NM CBSSN  NMSU 34–17  11,540
October 57:00 p.m.Sam HoustonLibertyWilliams Stadium • Lynchburg, VACBSSN LIB 21–16  17,100
October 58:00 p.m.Western KentuckyLouisiana TechJoe Aillet Stadium • Ruston, LAESPNU WKU 35–28  13,014
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week 7

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
October 107:00 p.m.Louisiana TechMiddle TennesseeJohnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TN CBSSN  MTSU 31–23  9,602
October 107:30 p.m.LibertyJacksonville StateBurgess–Snow Field at JSU Stadium • Jacksonville, AL ESPNU  LIB 31–13  21,745
October 117:30 p.m.UTEPFIURiccardo Silva Stadium • Westchester, FL ESPN2  UTEP 27–14  14,872
October 119:00 p.m.Sam HoustonNew Mexico StateAggie Memorial Stadium • Las Cruces, NMCBSSN NMSU 27–13  12,812
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week 8

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
October 177:00 p.m.Middle TennesseeLibertyWilliams Stadium • Lynchburg, VACBSSN LIB 42–35  16,354
October 177:30 p.m.Western KentuckyJacksonville StateBurgess–Snow Field at JSU Stadium • Jacksonville, ALESPNU JVST 20–17  17,977
October 187:00 p.m.FIUSam HoustonBowers Stadium • Huntsville, TXCBSSN FIU 33–27 2OT 7,543
October 189:00 p.m.New Mexico StateUTEPSun Bowl • El Paso, TX (Battle of I-10)ESPN2 NMSU 28–7  19,727
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week 9

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
October 247:00 p.m.New Mexico StateLouisiana TechJoe Aillet Stadium • Ruston, LACBSSN NMSU 27–24  13,798
October 247:30 p.m.LibertyWestern KentuckyHouchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KYESPNU LIB 42–29  16,036
October 257:00 p.m.Jacksonville StateFIURiccardo Silva Stadium • Westchester, FLCBSSN JVST 41–16  14,074
October 258:00 p.m.UTEPSam HoustonBowers Stadium • Huntsville, TXESPN2 UTEP 37–34  6,889
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week 10

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
November 412:00 p.m.Jacksonville State South Carolina Williams–Brice StadiumColumbia, SC ESPNUL 28–38  75,348
November 41:00 p.m. Kennesaw State Sam HoustonBowers Stadium • Huntsville, TXESPN+W 24–21  7,143
November 46:00 p.m.Louisiana TechLibertyWilliams Stadium • Lynchburg, VACBSSN LIB 56–30  21,647
November 46:00 p.m.Middle TennesseeNew Mexico StateAggie Memorial Stadium • Las Cruces, NMESPN+ NMSU 13–7  
November 49:00 p.m.Western KentuckyUTEPSun Bowl • El Paso, TXESPN+ WKU 21–13  11,111
#Rankings from College Football Playoff. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week 11

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
November 111:00 p.m. Old Dominion LibertyWilliams Stadium • Lynchburg, VAESPN+W 38–10  21,481
November 113:00 p.m.Sam HoustonLouisiana TechJoe Aillet Stadium • Ruston, LAESPN+ SHSU 42–27  15,080
November 113:30 p.m.FIUMiddle TennesseeJohnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TNESPN+ MTSU 40–6  11,111
November 113:30 p.m.New Mexico StateWestern KentuckyHouchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KYESPN+ NMSU 38–29  16,319
#Rankings from College Football Playoff. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week 12

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
November 181:00 p.m.UMassLibertyWilliams Stadium • Lynchburg, VAESPN+W 49–25  16,860
November 182:00 p.m.Louisiana TechJacksonville StateBurgess–Snow Field at JSU Stadium • Jacksonville, ALESPN+ JVST 56–17  20,252
November 182:00 p.m.UTEPMiddle TennesseeJohnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TNESPN+ MTSU 34–30  9,122
November 183:30 p.m.Sam HoustonWestern KentuckyHouchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KYESPN+ WKU 28–23  11,041
November 184:00 p.m.New Mexico State Auburn Jordan–Hare StadiumAuburn, AL SECNW 31–10  88,043
November 187:30 p.m.FIU Arkansas Donald W. Reynolds Razorback StadiumFayetteville, AR ESPNUL 20–44  61,442
#Rankings from College Football Playoff. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week 13

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
November 2512:00 p.m.Middle TennesseeSam HoustonBowers Stadium • Huntsville, TXESPN+ SHSU 23–20  5,349
November 253:00 p.m.Western KentuckyFIURiccardo Silva Stadium • Westchester, FLESPN+ WKU 41–28  12,724
November 253:30 p.m.No. 25 LibertyUTEPSun Bowl • El Paso, TXCBSSN LIB 42–28  10,240
November 254:00 p.m.Jacksonville StateNew Mexico StateAggie Memorial Stadium • Las Cruces, NMESPN+ NMSU 20–17  15,702
#Rankings from College Football Playoff. All times are in Eastern Time.

Conference USA Championship Game

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
December 17:00 p.m.New Mexico StateNo. 24 LibertyWilliams Stadium • Lynchburg, VA (Conference USA Championship Game)CBSSN LIB 49–35  20,077
#Rankings from College Football Playoff. All times are in Eastern Time.

Postseason

Bowl Games

Legend
 CUSA win
 CUSA loss
Bowl gameDateSiteTelevisionTime (EST)CUSA teamOpponentScoreAttendance
New Orleans Bowl December 16 Caesars SuperdomeNew Orleans, LA ESPN 2:15 p.m.Jacksonville State Louisiana W 34–31OT14,485
New Mexico Bowl December 16 University StadiumAlbuquerque, NM ESPN 5:45 p.m.New Mexico State Fresno State L 10–3730,822
Famous Toastery Bowl December 18 Jerry Richardson StadiumCharlotte, NC ESPN 2:30 p.m.Western Kentucky Old Dominion W 38–35OT5,632
New Year's Six Bowl
Fiesta Bowl January 1, 2024 State Farm StadiumGlendale, AZ ESPN 1:00 p.m.No. 23 LibertyNo. 8 Oregon L 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:


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.


DateConferenceVisitorHomeSiteScore
September 2SECMiddle TennesseeNo. 4 Alabama Bryant–Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL L 7–56
September 2Big 12Sam Houston BYU LaVell Edwards StadiumProvo, UT L 0–14
September 9SECMiddle Tennessee Missouri Faurot FieldColumbia, MO L 19–23
September 9Big TenUTEP Northwestern Ryan FieldEvanston, IL L 7–38
September 16Pac-12UTEP Arizona Arizona StadiumTucson, AZ L 10–31
September 16Big TenWestern KentuckyNo. 6 Ohio State Ohio StadiumColumbus, OH L 10–63
September 23Big TenLouisiana Tech Nebraska Memorial StadiumLincoln, NE L 14–28
September 23Big 12Sam Houston Houston TDECU StadiumHouston, TX L 7–38
November 4SECJacksonville State South Carolina Williams–Brice StadiumColumbia, SC L 28–38
November 18SECFIU Arkansas Donald W. Reynolds Razorback StadiumFayetteville, AR L 20–44
November 18SECNew Mexico State Auburn Jordan–Hare StadiumAuburn, AL 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.

DateConferenceVisitorHomeSiteScore
September 2AmericanLouisiana Tech SMU Gerald J. Ford StadiumUniversity Park, TX L 14–38
September 2MAC Bowling Green LibertyWilliams Stadium • Lynchburg, VAW 34–24
September 2American South Florida Western KentuckyHouchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KYW 41–24
September 9American North Texas FIURiccardo Silva Stadium • Westchester, FLW 46–39
September 9Sun BeltJacksonville State Coastal Carolina Brooks StadiumConway, SC L 16–30
September 9Mountain West Air Force Sam Houston NRG StadiumHouston, TX L 3–13
September 16AmericanNorth TexasLouisiana TechJoe Aillet Stadium • Ruston, LAL 37–40
September 16MACLiberty Buffalo UB StadiumAmherst, NY W 55–27
September 16Mountain WestNew Mexico State New Mexico University StadiumAlbuquerque, NM W 27–17
September 23MAC Eastern Michigan Jacksonville StateBurgess–Snow Field at JSU Stadium • Jacksonville, ALW 21–0
September 23Mountain West Colorado State Middle TennesseeJohnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TNL 23–31
September 23Mountain WestNew Mexico State Hawaii Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics ComplexHonolulu, HI L 17–20
September 23Mountain West UNLV UTEPSun Bowl • El Paso, TXL 28–45
September 23Sun BeltWestern Kentucky Troy Veterans Memorial StadiumTroy, AL L 24–27
November 11Sun Belt Old Dominion LibertyWilliams Stadium • Lynchburg, VAW 38–10

Conference USA vs FBS independents matchups

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

DateVisitorHomeSiteScore
August 26 UMass New Mexico StateAggie Memorial Stadium • Las Cruces, NML 30–41
September 16FIU UConn Rentschler FieldEast Hartford, CT W 24–17
November 18UMassLibertyWilliams Stadium • Lynchburg, VAW 49–25

Conference USA vs FCS matchups


DateVisitorHomeSiteScore
September 2 Maine FIURiccardo Silva Stadium • Westchester, FLW 14–12
September 2 East Tennessee State Jacksonville StateBurgess–Snow Field at JSU Stadium • Jacksonville, ALW 49–3
September 2 Western Illinois New Mexico StateAggie Memorial Stadium • Las Cruces, NMW 58–21
September 2 Incarnate Word UTEPSun Bowl • El Paso, TXW 28–14
September 9 Northwestern State Louisiana TechJoe Aillet Stadium • Ruston, LAW 51–21
September 9 Houston Christian Western KentuckyHouchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KYW 52–22
September 16 Murray State Middle TennesseeJohnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TNW 35–14
November 4 Kennesaw State Sam HoustonBower Stadium • Huntsville, TXW 24–21

Awards and honors

Player of the week honors

WeekOffensiveDefensiveSpecial Teams
PlayerTeamPositionPlayerTeamPositionPlayerTeamPosition
Week 0 [14] Smoke HarrisLouisiana TechWRJeremiah HarrisJacksonville StateSJack DawsonJacksonville StateP
Week 1 [15] Kris Mitchell FIUWRJaQues EvansWestern KentuckyLBLucas CarneiroWestern KentuckyK
Week 2 [16] Kejon OwensFIURB Tyrice Knight UTEPLBJacob BarnesLouisiana TechK
Week 3 [17] Kaidon Salter LibertyQBSam BrumfieldMiddle TennesseeLBEthan AlbertsonNew Mexico StateK
Week 4 [18] Kaidon Salter (2)LibertyQBChris HardieJacksonville StateDLJack Dawson (2)Jacksonville StateP
Week 5 [19] Logan Smothers Jacksonville StateQBBryson WashingtonWestern KentuckyLBSmoke HarrisLouisiana TechPR
Week 6 [20] Malachi Corley Western KentuckyWRChris Hardie (2)Jacksonville StateDLMax MorganLibertyP
Week 7 [21] Diego Pavia New Mexico StateQBMaurice WestmorelandUTEPDLJoshua SloanUTEPP
Week 8 [22] Zion Webb Jacksonville StateQBReggie PetersonFIULBAlen KarajicJacksonville StateK
Week 9 [23] Kaidon Salter (3)LibertyQBJaylen "J-Rock" SwainJacksonville StateDLBuzz FlabianoUTEPK
Week 10 [24] Quinton Cooley LibertyRBDa'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 Reed Western 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]

AwardPlayerSchool
Most Valuable Player Kaidon Salter, QBLiberty
Offensive Player of the Year Diego 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 Year Quinton Cooley, RBLiberty
Coach of the Year Jamey 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]

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 WebbJacksonville StateAP, PFF, USAT, WCFF
SBrylan GreenLibertyFWAA

Notes

  1. Due to a lack of bowl eligible teams, Jacksonville State was deemed bowl eligible despite their two-year postseason ban during their transition from FCS to FBS.

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The 2017 UTEP Miners football team represented University of Texas at El Paso in the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Miners played their home games at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas and competed in the West Division of Conference USA (C–USA). They were led by fifth-year head coach Sean Kugler until his resignation on October 2 and then by interim head coach Mike Price, who had previously served at UTEP's head coach from 2004 to 2012. The Miners finished the season with a record 0–12, 0–8 in conference play to finish in last place in the Conference USA and winless for the first time since the 1973 season. UTEP averaged 19,548 fans per game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 UTSA Roadrunners football team</span> American college football season

The 2017 UTSA Roadrunners football team represented the University of Texas at San Antonio in the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Roadrunners played their home games at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX, and competed in the West Division of Conference USA (C–USA). They were led by second-year head coach Frank Wilson. They finished the season 6–5, 3–5 in C-USA play to finish in fifth place in the West Division. Despite being bowl eligible for the second consecutive season, the Roadrunners did not receive a bowl bid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 UTEP Miners football team</span> American college football season

The 2019 UTEP Miners football team represented University of Texas at El Paso in the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Miners were led by second–year head coach Dana Dimel and played their home games at Sun Bowl. They were members of the West Division of Conference USA (C–USA). UTEP averaged 17,093 fans per game. That was 2,938 more fans per game than 2018; the 23rd best increase in FBS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team</span> American college football season

The 2020 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team represented the University of Southern Mississippi in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Golden Eagles played their home games at the M. M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and competed in the West Division of Conference USA (CUSA). Head coach Jay Hopson, who was in his fifth year, resigned after one game and was replaced by interim head coach Scotty Walden. Walden himself resigned after four games to become the head coach at Austin Peay and was replaced by Tim Billings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 UTEP Miners football team</span> American college football season

The 2020 UTEP Miners football team represented the University of Texas at El Paso in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Miners were led by third–year head coach Dana Dimel and played their home games at the Sun Bowl. They competed as members of the West Division of Conference USA (C–USA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 UTSA Roadrunners football team</span> American college football season

The 2020 UTSA Roadrunners football team represented the University of Texas at San Antonio during the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Roadrunners played their home games at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, and competed in the West Division of Conference USA (CUSA). They were led by first-year head coach Jeff Traylor.

The 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season was the 152nd season of college football in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at its highest level of competition, the Football Bowl Subdivision. The regular season began on August 28, 2021, and ended on December 11, 2021. The postseason began on December 17, with the main games ending on January 10, 2022, with the College Football Playoff National Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, and the all-star portion of the post-season concluding with the inaugural HBCU Legacy Bowl on February 19, 2022. It was the eighth season of the College Football Playoff (CFP) system. It was the first time since 2016 that no major team finished the season undefeated as the Cincinnati Bearcats, the season's last undefeated team, were defeated in the 2021 Cotton Bowl Classic.

The 2021 Conference USA football season was the 26th season of college football play for Conference USA (C-USA). The season started on August 28, 2021 and ended on December 23, 2021. The conference consisted of 14 members in two divisions. It was part of the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 UTSA Roadrunners football team</span> American college football season

The 2022 UTSA Roadrunners football team represented the University of Texas at San Antonio as a member of Conference USA (C-USA) during the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by head coach Jeff Traylor, who was coaching his third season with the team. The Roadrunners played their home games at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

The 2022 Conference USA football season was the 27th season of college football play for Conference USA (C-USA). The season started on August 27, 2022, and is ended on January 31, 2023. The conference consisted of 11 members and was part of the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season.

The 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season was the 154th season of college football in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at its highest level of competition, the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The regular season began on August 26 and ended on December 9. The postseason began on December 15, and, aside from any all-star games that are scheduled, ended on January 8, 2024, with the College Football Playoff National Championship at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Washington Huskies by a score of 34–13 to claim the program's first national championship in the College Football Playoff (CFP) era, and their 12th overall. This was the tenth and final season of using the four team College Football Playoff (CFP) system, with the bracket being expanded to 12 teams for the 2024 season.

References

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