During this slate of nightly action in late September and early October, many CUSA opponents have attempted their best shots at the Liberty Flames. But like the previous few weeks, another team made an attempt to tarnish the impeccable reputation of Jamey Chadwell’s squad but was unsuccessful.
After defeating Middle Tennessee (2-6, 1-3 CUSA), 42-35, in a back-and-forth shootout, Liberty (7-0, 5-0 CUSA) remained one of 11 unbeaten teams in the nation. The Flames’ 7-0 start has been characterized by two fundamental advantages, and both aspects were on full show Wednesday night in Lynchburg.
The run game was one. In terms of rushing yards per game, Liberty was second in the FBS with 253.5 heading into the game on Wednesday night. However, the Flames had never experienced a ground game like they did against Middle Tennessee. A season-high 401 rushing yards were amassed by the pseudo-option system, which was led by the explosive combination of Kaidon Salter at quarterback and Quinton Cooley at running back. Salter ran for 160 yards on 16 carries, setting a new career high.
— not allowing a single sack and frequently evading pressure on deliberate passing plays. Cooley served as the team’s main running back, gaining 134 yards for his fourth straight 100-yard performance. With three rushing touchdowns, two of which came in the first quarter and one of which came late in the third quarter to tie the score at 35 each, he played a key role in the offensive effort.
The turnover fight was Liberty’s other consistent strength that affected the outcome. Liberty had the most pass interceptions of any FBS team this season going into Week 7, with 13. The Flames continued to force turnovers in the second half, which was essential to the victory. When safety Brylan Green caused wide receiver Holden Willis to fumble, a promising Middle Tennessee drive came to an abrupt end, and the score became 35-35. With 14:37 left in the game, Liberty cornerback Kobe Singleton picked up the errant pass at the Flames’ 42-yard line, setting up the game-winning touchdown in the first minute of the fourth quarter on a 37-yard pass from Salter to deep threat CJ Daniels.
The shootout abruptly changed into a defensive fight for the final fourteen minutes and change. As Middle Tennessee’s defense zeroed in on the run game to force three straight punts, Liberty was unable to move the sticks. However, the Blue Raiders advanced the ball and prevailed in the field position struggle throughout the quarter. A 13-yard punt by Liberty gave them field position at the Flames’ 23, giving them a fantastic chance to tie the game at 42. But that’s when Liberty’s propensity for intercepting came into play. The play that D.J. England-Chisholm was targeted on in the end zone replicated the Blue Raiders’ touchdown early in the third quarter. It was quarterback Nick Vattiato. Instead, Liberty safety Preston Hodge spotted the path and snagged the errant pass this time.
Middle Tennessee’s defense gave itself one more chance to tie, but the Flames once more recorded a crucial takeaway. Vattiato chose Elijah Metcalf on a crucial 4th and 10 who was just over the first down marker. A diving Green, who recorded his fifth interception of the year and forced his second turnover of the evening, caught the ball as it deflected into the air. Green is now the season’s sole leader in interceptions after sealing the destiny of the Blue Raiders in Lynchburg. He has made exactly one interception in each of his first six games. And because to this outstanding start, Liberty continues to lead the FBS in interceptions with 18.
With three takeaways in the second half, Liberty was able to win the turnover war, 3-2. The Blue Raiders, however, were heavily favored in that regard for the opening two and a half quarters. When Middle Tennessee intercepted Salter on the opening play of the game, it gave them an early lead. This was only Salter’s third interception of the year. A few plays later, Vattiato hit backup quarterback DJ Riles for a score to give his team an early 7-0 lead. Additionally, Middle Tennessee profited on Cooley’s turnover in the third quarter, which gave Rick Stockstill’s group the opportunity to score first in the second half and take a 35-28 advantage. Middle Tennessee’s offense was cruising at that time, helped along by a 2-0 advantage in the turnover department.
Throughout the first three quarters of the game, the Blue Raiders frequently produced explosive plays as Vattiato accumulated 332 passing yards with four different receivers reaching 60 yards. Six of Vattiato’s efforts covered at least 20 yards, including touchdown throws of 36 and 72 yards in the third quarter. However, the Blue Raiders blew a 23-7 halftime lead at Jacksonville State two weeks ago due to four turnovers in the second half, and the inability to control the ball once again negated the offensive success.
With their sixth loss of 2023, Middle Tennessee had already eclipsed their loss total from the previous year. With four games left in the regular season, the Blue Raiders, who had qualified for bowl eligibility in nine of the previous 11 seasons, are now on the verge of collapse. Middle Tennessee has a short break after eight straight weeks of play before returning to the field on Saturday, Nov. 4 for a road trip to New Mexico State.
When Sunday arrives, there might be up to 10 unbeaten teams, which would increase Liberty’s standing in the AP Poll. The Flames presently have five votes, and they’ll try to keep their perfect record intact when they travel to Bowling Green, Kentucky, to take on preseason CUSA favorite WKU next Tuesday.
