Buffalo stymies Flames’ offense at the Bahamas Bowl

Making its sixth consecutive bowl game appearance, Liberty University Football struggled throughout the day to create any type of consistent offense, allowing the University of Buffalo to secure a 26-7 victory in the Bahamas Bowl, Saturday afternoon at Thomas A. Robinson Stadium in Nassau.

Since officially becoming an FBS program in 2019, the Flames (8-4) are one of only three programs (Appalachian State and Marshall University are the others) to appear in a bowl game in each of the first six seasons they have had a chance at eligibility.

They slipped to 3-1 against the Bulls (9-4), who also entered the game 0-3 against teams coached by Jamey Chadwell, who beat them twice as head coach at Coastal Carolina. With the win, Buffalo completes a dramatic turnaround after posting a 3-9 record in 2023. The Bulls have now won four-straight bowl games, including their second Bahamas Bowl (also in 2019).

“Credit goes to Buffalo,” Chadwell said in the post-game press conference. “They came and they played really well. We couldn’t make things happen offensively or getting them off the field defensively, especially there in the second half. You can’t turn the ball over three times and win. They didn’t turn it over at all and they controlled the time of possession. Great opportunity to learn from and we’ll learn from it and take it back (to Liberty) and get better.”

Liberty, which entered the bowl season ranked No. 26 in the country by averaging 434.5 yards per game, finished with its lowest offensive output of the season, netting just 242 yards on 56 offensive plays. The Flames finished the game with 162 rushing yards, picking up 112 of those yards on two lengthy runs by quarterback Ryan Burger (57 yards) and running back Billy Lucas (55 yards). Liberty came into bowl season ranked No. 3 in the country in rushing offense (258.7 yards per game).

For complete coverage, visit Liberty’s Athletics website.