G5 Football Daily

TAKEAWAYS: Liberty Flames to host CUSA Championship Game

A win for the Liberty Flames on Saturday would clinch home field advantage in the Conference USA Championship game. However, they would first have to go up

Kevin Barral

© Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

A win for the Liberty Flames on Saturday would clinch home field advantage in the Conference USA Championship game. However, they would first have to go up against a desperate Louisiana Tech team who, with a loss, would be eliminated from going bowling.

The Flames offense comes out hot

As expected, the Flames did what they do best, building a lead early on. After the Bulldogs drove down the field and settled for a field goal, Kaidon Salter drove for a Liberty touchdown with three plays. Salter connected with tight end Bentley Hanshaw for a 16-yard touchdown pass to take the lead and never give it up.

Liberty's second touchdown of the night came from Salter connecting with CJ Daniels for a 24-yard touchdown pass. The Flames led, 14-3 with 1:20 left in the first quarter.

The Flames would go on to score two more touchdowns. Both were scored by Aaron Bedgood. First, a five-yard run gave the Flames a 21-3 lead. Right before the end of the first half, Salter connected with Bedgood for a four-yard touchdown pass. The Flames entered the second half leading, 28-10.

In just the first half, the Flames had 311 total yards of offense. Salter threw for 193 yards and three touchdowns. Conference USA's rushing leader Quinton Cooley and the rest of the running back room combined for a total of 118 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

The Bulldogs can't catch up

After taking a quick 3-0 lead, the Liberty offense put up 28 points in the first half. Thankfully, the game was still in reach for the Bulldogs. A late score thanks to running back Keith Wills Jr. made it a 28-10 game entering the half.

In the second half, the Bulldogs wasted no time countering Liberty's touchdown which made it 35-10. Willis Jr. ran it in for a two-yard touchdown run to make it 35-18.

Unfortunately, the Flames would continue to dominate the Bulldogs defense and score 55 points. First, a 55-yard touchdown pass to Noah Frith to make it 35-10. Following the Bulldogs touchdown, the Conference USA's leading rusher Quinton Cooley scored two touchdowns. First, a 29-yard rushing touchdown, then a 7-yard rushing touchdown.

Hank Bachmeier and the Bulldogs offense kept things interesting. Right before the end of the third quarter, Bachmeier threw a one-yard pass to Smoke Harris for a touchdown, which made it 42-24.

A nine-yard pass to Tru Edwards made the game 49-30, but that would end up being the final touchdown that the Bulldogs scored. The Flames drove down the field late in the fourth quarter to score another touchdown, thanks to running back James Jointer Jr., which gave Liberty a 56-30 lead, and eventually victory.

The Flames clinch, but the Bulldogs are out

With Liberty's win over Louisiana Tech, not only do the Flames clinch home field advantage in the Conference USA championship, but for the first time in program history, Liberty has a 9-0 record.

The Flames' offense continues to be the best in Conference USA, putting up 602 of total offense on Saturday, while quarterback Kaidon Salter threw for 297 yards, four touchdowns and completed 16 of 25 passes.

As for the Bulldogs, they once again fail to achieve automatic bowl eligibility. They fall to 3-7 and 2-4 against the conference.

Published
Kevin Barral
KEVIN BARRAL

Home/CUSA