CUSA Football Championship: 3 Names To Watch

The Liberty Flames host the New Mexico State Aggies on Friday, December 1 at 7 PM ET on CBS Sports Network. The winner will be crowned 2023's Conference USA

© Meg Potter/Sun-News / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Liberty Flames host the New Mexico State Aggies on Friday, December 1 at 7 PM ET on CBS Sports Network. The winner will be crowned 2023's Conference USA champion.

In every championship game, a few select performers will be factors in determining the outcome. Friday will be no different. These three names should be huge difference makers in Friday's title bout in Lynchburg.

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Kaidon Salter - Quarterback, Liberty Flames

Austin got TD Powers 💥@AustinTE8 pic.twitter.com/4381HszYIz

— Liberty Football (@LibertyFootball) November 18, 2023

Salter has been one of the most consistent dual-threat quarterbacks in FBS this season. The Texas native has rushed for 899 yards to date on 141 carries with 11 touchdowns. He's also completing 58.9 percent of his passes with 29 passing touchdowns and just five interceptions. Liberty has several offensive weapons, but their quarterback's athleticism gives them options in terms of strategy. 

Diego Pavia - Quarterback, New Mexico State

You are missing out if you're not watching Diego Pavia play football. One of my absolute favorite guys in the sport right now pic.twitter.com/Tv4WU4cLhn

— Patrick Mayhorn (@patrick_mayhorn) October 24, 2023

Pavia has been regularly cited as one of the toughest players in college football this season. Like Salter, Pavia has proven to be a very effective runner, also getting over 800 rushing yards on the season. Pavia and Salter are two of just five quarterbacks in FBS this season who have rushed for at least 800 yards. in 2023, Pavia has also thrown for over 2700 yards with 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

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Kobe Singleton - Corner, Liberty

PICK SIX KOBE SINGLETON@LibertyFootball is rollin! 🔥

📺: @CBSSportsNet pic.twitter.com/7nUMRSRizl

— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) September 2, 2023

Singleton, a junior, finished the regular season with four interceptions and one returned for a touchdown. He's defended 13 total passes this season, which is tied for the league lead. Singleton, in combination with Brylan Green, can make it difficult to stretch the field for opposing quarterbacks thanks to their awareness and physical play style.