The Liberty University Football team opened Conference USA (CUSA) play Oct. 2 with a 30-14 win over the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens at Tubby Raymond Field at Delaware Stadium.
The win moves the Flames to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the CUSA, while Delaware falls to 2-3.
Liberty entered the matchup coming off a 34-17 win over Coastal Carolina University last week.
The Flames controlled the game in the first half, during which sixth-year kicker Chase Reeves earned two field goals, increasing the score to 6-0 in the first quarter. The Flames added two touchdowns in the second quarter to end the half with a 20-0 lead over the Fightin’ Blue Hens.
Junior running back Kam Davis scored the first touchdown in the second quarter, breaking free for a 56-yard run. Later in the quarter, senior running back Peyton Jones added another score on a 3-yard rushing touchdown.
“We know that if we want to be what we are capable of being, then we’ve got to be able to run the ball,” Head Coach Jamey Chadwell said. “We’ve got to be able to control the line of scrimmage.”
The Flames maintained control of the game after halftime. Reeves hit a 22-yard field goal in the third quarter, and Davis scored his second touchdown of the night early in the fourth quarter, putting the Flames up 30-0.
Davis finished with a career-high of 147 yards, two touchdowns and 17 carries. Jones
had 37 yards and a touchdown. Liberty finished the game with 282 rushing yards.
Junior quarterback Deshawn Purdie completed 13 of 20 passes for 157 yards with no
touchdowns or interceptions. Fifth-year wide receiver Makai Jackson led the team with five catches for 90 yards, including one 50-yard reception.
“That first loss kind of fired us up a lot,” Davis said. “Having a lot more urgency at practice from not only the guys that are playing but also the guys that are giving looks, so just being
able to keep that momentum and go off of wins, that’s something that we’re doing great.”
The Flames’ fifth-year linebacker Aidan Vaughan had a standout game, recording nine
tackles for a career high. Fifth-year safety Izaiah Guy recorded five tackles.
The Flames defense went into the game as the only team in the Football Bowl Subdivision to prevent fourth quarter points. The Fightin’ Blue Hens ended that streak, scoring two touchdowns and a two-point conversion.
The Fightin’ Blue Hens had three different quarterbacks take the field during the matchup. Junior quarterback Braden Streeter connected with senior wide receiver Donovan Lewis for a 58-yard touchdown and freshman quarterback Tyler Bell found junior wide receiver Matthew McKinley-Daniels for a 27-yard score.
However, their late rally was not enough to overtake the Flames.
“This team is improving,” Chadwell said. “They’re getting better and understanding and seeing what it takes to win consistently, and I like where we’re at from a mindset.”
Liberty sits atop the CUSA after taking down Delaware, and now they face a short week before another conference matchup.
The Flames will return to their home turf at Williams Stadium Thursday, Oct. 8 to take on Sam Houston University at 7 p.m. The game will air on ESPNU.
Sizemore is the POV editor for The Liberty Champion.