Can Liberty Flames' Ground Game and Defense Seal Victory Over UTEP Miners?
The Liberty Flames maintained their unbeaten streak, moving to 3-0 for the season after a commanding 28-10 victory over the UTEP Miners, who are still searching for their first win with a record of 0-3. The game showcased the Flames' ability to dominate both on the ground and through strategic defensive plays.
Game Highlights
The Flames' offense was on full display at Williams Stadium (VA), accumulating a total of 415 yards, with a significant contribution coming from their rushing attack which accounted for 187 yards. Billy Lucas led this charge with an impressive performance, rushing for 104 yards over 21 attempts and finding the end zone three times. His longest run stretched to 19 yards, demonstrating his ability to break through defenses.
Liberty's quarterback Kaidon Salter also had an efficient game, completing 15 out of his 19 pass attempts for a total of 228 yards. His precision passing resulted in one touchdown and zero interceptions, contributing significantly to the team's offensive success.
On defense, the Flames were just as formidable. They recorded three sacks and two interceptions while limiting the Miners to only ten points throughout the contest. Dexter Ricks Jr., and Christian Bodnar each secured an interception that played crucial roles in halting any momentum built by UTEP's offense.
Defensive Standouts
Brenton Williams stood out on defense with one sack and one tackle loss among his contributions that totaled three quarterback hits. TJ Bush Jr., was another key player making significant impacts by contributing to one-and-a-half sacks.
Special teams also played their part in securing field position advantage; Max Morgan punted six times for a total of 241 yards helping keep UTEP pinned back in their half whenever possible.
Looking Ahead
The Liberty Flames will next face off against East Carolina Pirates at Williams Stadium (VA) on September 21st at 6:00 PM EDT. Fans can catch all the action live on ESPN+ as Liberty looks to continue its winning ways into mid-season form against ECU Pirates in what promises to be another exciting matchup at home.