Liberty (6-0, 4-0 CUSA) outlasted Jacksonville State (5-2, 3-1 CUSA), 31-13, on Tuesday night in Jacksonville, Alabama. With the win, the Flames secure bowl eligibility for a fifth consecutive season, all five seasons Liberty has been an FBS member.

Jacksonville State controlled the first quarter and took an early lead, 7-0. The Flames would claw back and fight off the initial momentum and punch from the home team. Liberty scored 10 straight to take a 10-7 advantage. The Gamecocks would tie things up going into intermission with a 39 yard field goal.

Completing just 4 of 12 passes for 32 yards in the first half, Kaidon Salter and the Liberty offense would open things up after the break. Salter connected with Treon Sibley for two passes, first a third down conversion and then a 27-yard touchdown pass as Liberty pushed the lead to 17-10. After halftime, Salter completed 8 of 9 passes for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns.

After a 39-yard JSU field goal, Salter connected with Aaron Bedgood for a 29-yard touchdown pass as the Flames took a 24-13 lead.

The Liberty defense would then force a three and out, and the Flames offense followed with a dominating fourth quarter possession. Liberty went 16 plays for 79 yards on a drive that took 9 minutes and 39 seconds. It would end in a Quinton Cooley touchdown run as the lead swelled to 31-13.

LIBERTY PICKS UP HUGE WIN ON ROAD

A lot of things were against Liberty going into this one. The short turnaround, being on the road, having some injuries, and playing against a very good Jacksonville State team.

The early momentum went to the home team, but Liberty responded and wore down this Jacksonville State team. It looked like the Gamecocks who were the team on short rest and having to travel. A very impressive performance for this team under their first year head coach.

With the win, the Flames are now bowl eligible, but even more important than that, Liberty remains in first place atop the CUSA standings. Only Liberty and Western Kentucky (2-0 in league play) are unbeaten in the CUSA race.

ANOTHER LATE 4TH QUARTER DRIVE CLINCHES WIN

Earlier this season at Buffalo, Liberty went on a long, game sealing drive at Buffalo to put the game away. The Flames did it again on Tuesday in Alabama.

Liberty went on a 16 play, 79 yard drive that took nearly 10 minutes off the clock. When that drive ended, the Flames had a commanding 31-13 lead with just over four minutes left in the game.

THIS RUN GAME IS A PROBLEM

Liberty entered the game as one of the top teams in the country in running the ball. That will continue to be the case after the game at Jacksonville State where the Flames rushed for 245 yards as a team.

Quinton Cooley led the way with 28 rushes for 163 yards and 2 touchdowns. He just runs angry and always has his legs moving forward. A play that looks like it will be stopped for 1-2 yards goes for 3-4 yards routinely. It’s fun to watch. He was also able to tote the rock 28 times just five days after being banged up against Sam Houston and missing much of the second half.

Billy Lucas also returned to the lineup after missing last week’s game against the Bearkats. He rushed 9 times for 32 yards.

Up Next

Liberty will return home for the second and final Midweek on the Mountain contest next Tuesday night against Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raiders are currently 2-5 on the season and 1-2 in CUSA play. They defeated Louisana Tech, 31-23, at home on Tuesday night