Liberty Flames Dominate Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders with Ground Game and Defense

The Liberty Flames improved their season record to 6-2 after a commanding victory over the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, who fell to 3-7. The game ended with a score of 37-17 in favor of the Flames.

Game Highlights

The Flames showcased an impressive ground game, accumulating a total of 339 rushing yards from 50 attempts, which translated into an average of seven yards per carry and three touchdowns. Quinton Cooley led the rushing attack with 136 yards on 24 carries, scoring one touchdown. Kaidon Salter also contributed significantly with his mobility, adding another touchdown and 94 rushing yards on nine carries.

In addition to their offensive prowess, Liberty's defense was relentless throughout the match. They recorded five sacks for a loss of twenty-two yards and forced two turnovers including one fumble recovery by Ethan Crisp who also had two tackles for loss among his contributions on defense. Jerome Jolly Jr.'s performance stood out as he notched one sack among his seven combined tackles and forced a fumble.

Special Teams and Penalties

Special teams played a crucial role in maintaining field position advantage for the Flames. Max Morgan executed a punt that landed inside the twenty-yard line, contributing to Liberty's strategic field positioning throughout the game. Colin Karhu successfully converted all but one extra point attempt and made his only field goal attempt from thirty-five yards out.

Penalties were minimal but impactful; Liberty incurred five penalties costing them thirty-three yards overall. These infractions did little to hinder their momentum or affect the final outcome significantly.

Looking ahead, Liberty Flames will face UMass Minutemen at Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium in Amherst on November 16th at 12:00 PM EDT. Fans can catch all the action live on ESPN+ as both teams strive for victory in this upcoming matchup.