Takeaways: Liberty Flames Demolish FIU 38-6

Liberty will improve to 4-0 as the only remaining unbeaten in CUSA

Albert Palacio - Lemon City Live

Kaidon Salter Does His Thing - Again

Saturday night stroll in for @07ksalt 🚶‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/Ym8PF5kQzH

— Liberty Football (@LibertyFootball) September 24, 2023

The Conference USA offensive player of the week had himself a game to remember once again. Throwing for 156 yards with two passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns, Kaidon Salter made the FIU defense look clueless.

The first two drives for the Flames were led by Salter as he first threw a nine-yard pass to tight end Bentley Hanshaw and then a bubble pass to receiver Treon Sibley which resulted in a 68-yard touchdown. 

Salter, who hadn't thrown an interception this season, did throw his first to safety CJ Christian.

Defensive Issues

For the first time all season, the FIU defense had difficulty throughout various parts of the game. It all began after giving up two touchdowns on the first two drives of the game.

The leading player in total tackles was Jamal Potts with eight, followed by Donovan Manuel with six. Manuel, who has been FIU's top defensive player of the season thus far stayed at the top of the Conference USA leaderboard in forced fumbles with his fourth of the season. In the third quarter, Panthers defensive lineman Jordan Guerad forced the second fumble of the night.

The defense ended the night giving up 504 total yards of offense, with 348 of those being rushing yards.

Jenkins struggles for the first time this season

Keyone Jenkins had problems in his fourth start of the season as he throws for 133 yards and one interception. It was announced prior to the game that center John Bock II and right guard Jacob Peace would not play. As a result, Jenkins was sacked three times. Jenkins did score one touchdown, which was a QB sneak at the one-yard line.

On the play where Jenkins threw the interception, a defender landed on his ankle. While he told the media postgame that it hurts, he stated hewill be just fine for the game against New Mexico State.

Injury update:

Following the game, FIU head coach Mike MacIntyre announced that center John Bock II suffered a thumb injury in which he has already gone through surgery and right guard Jacob Peace suffered a knee injury. MacIntyre expects to have them both back by the New Mexico State game.