A game full of penalties, turnovers and a quarterback change for the Liberty Flames football team led to a last-minute 24-23 win over Gardner-Webb University.
Liberty had an uphill battle against the Runnin’ Bulldogs, but down by six in the last 3:02 of the game, a touchdown from second-string graduate student quarterback Jaylen Henderson gave the Flames their fourth-consecutive home opener win.
The Runnin’ Bulldogs offense, led by redshirt senior quarterback Cole Pennington, began the game by capitalizing on defensive penalties that put them in Liberty territory. The Flames defense applied pressure and the Runnin’ Bulldogs settled for a field goal.
“We’ve got to figure something out there,” Liberty Head Coach Jamie Chadwell said. “We’re not playing the way we’re capable of in the first half.”
On the next drive, Flames junior quarterback Deshawn Purdie lofted the ball to graduate student wide receiver Makai Jackson, who ran 65 yards into the end zone with 11:07 left in the first quarter.
Liberty junior defensive lineman Lorenzo Payne sacked Pennington on the next drive and sent the ball flying out of his arms.
Payne followed through on the play, recovering the fumble, causing the energy among the fans in Williams Stadium to soar.
On first-and-10 at the 20-yard line, Purdie handed the ball to sophomore running back Jaylon Coleman, who rushed into the end zone, raising the lead to 14-3. Gardner-Webb responded by taking the ball down the field and scoring another field goal to close out the first quarter.
Chadwell spoke on the significance of holding the Runnin’ Bulldogs to a 3-point field goal, rather than allowing a 7-point touchdown.
“To be able to hold the goal line, stand down there, force them to a field goal; that was a huge play in the game cause it kept us within a touchdown.”
The Flames started the second quarter with a 14-6 lead.
Senior safety Jayden Davis intercepted Pennington, giving Liberty possession and a chance to run up the score.
“We want to be a defense that the offense knows they can lean on if things are not going their way,” junior cornerback Jiquavious Marshall said.
A miscommunication on the Flames offense resulted in a fumble that Gardner-Webb’s redshirt senior defensive back Sabin McClaughlin returned for a touchdown, closing the gap 14-13.
Chadwell spoke in the postgame about the consequences of turning the ball over.
“Your number one responsibility is you just got to take care of the ball,” Chadwell said. “We’ve got to do a better job as coaches of making sure the way they practice is that they understand the importance.”
The Runnin’ Bulldogs’ momentum continued when graduate student running back Randy Young sprinted 65 yards for a touchdown.
With the first half winding down, Purdie connected with senior tight end Zeke Wimbush and sophomore wide receiver Bryce Randolph to push the Flames into field goal range.
Graduate student kicker Chase Reeves converted a field goal as the second quarter expired, cutting Gardner-Webb’s lead to 20-17.
Although the Flames defense made multiple stops, penalties in the secondary and on the defensive line kept Gardner-Webb’s offense on the field.
“Our guys get so emotional … we just don’t play within the play,” Chadwell said. “You have to play fearless, you have to play physical, but you got to play within those things.”
Still, the Flames defense held the Runnin’ Bulldogs to a field goal, the only points scored in the second half.
According to Marshall, the defensive turnaround came after coaches challenged the unit at halftime.
“We was playing a little soft and missing tackles … coaches corrected it, and we went out and dominated the second half.”
At the top of the fourth quarter, Flames fans were shocked to see a new number in the quarterback position. Chadwell and the coaching staff put graduate student quarterback Jaylen Henderson in the backfield.
“We just needed a spark, and we had confidence in Jaylen,” Chadwell said.
Henderson fumbled the ball on his second possession, but this setback did not rock his confidence.
“You can’t just hang your head on the one play,” Henderson said. “We had to get something going. That play was already over once the next drive started.”
Flames fans grew nervous as the clock wound down in the fourth quarter. Liberty and the Runnin’ Bulldogs traded empty possessions, and the score remained stagnant with Gardner-Webb up by six.
With 3:02 left in the game, Henderson completed a pass to senior wide receiver Darius Copeland, who caught the ball deep and took it home for a touchdown.
Henderson was well prepared to lead the Flames, and he credited that to Purdie postgame.
“Purdie, he played well,” Henderson said. “It’s all love in the quarterback room.”
Marshall said this was an important win for the program.
“It helps us to know that we’re also playing for other people … the crowd, we love it when they get excited,” Marshall said.
The Flames return to Williams Stadium Saturday, Sept. 19, at 4 p.m. to take on Ball State University.
Potter is a sports editor for The Liberty Champion.