Liberty (8-2, 5-2 CUSA) defeated Western Kentucky (7-4, 5-2), 38-21, on Saturday afternoon at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia. Announced attendance was 17,930.

The Flames had multiple opportunities in the first quarter to take the lead, three times getting inside the WKU 40-yard line but failing to reach the end zone. Kaidon Salter had a pass intended for an open Juju Gray on 3rd and 10. The pass was under thrown and Gray couldn’t haul it in as he slid to the ground. After an interception by Amarian Williams, the Flames turned it over in downs as Salter’s pass on 4th and 8 was intended for Reese Smith. On Liberty’s next drive, Quinton Cooley fumbled at the 35-yard line.

The Liberty defense was able to keep the Hilltoppers from doing damage early. The Flames had interceptions on each of its first two defensive possessions, first by Williams and the second by Jerome Jolly in the red zone. WKU would take advantage of the Cooley fumble, moving 64 yards on 6 plays to get into the end zone and take the 7-0 lead early in the 2nd quarter, keeping Liberty’s streak alive of trailing in every game this season.

The Flames would march down the field to tie the contest at 7. Salter’s run for 38 yards up the middle got the ball to the two before Billy Lucas punched it in. The Hilltoppers had their third turnover of the game on a fumble in Liberty territory. The Flames responded with eight straight run plays, going 67 yards for the score. Cooley got into the end zone this time from 22 yards out as the Flames took a 14-7 lead, their first of the day.

The Hilltoppers took over with two minutes left in the half. They drove into Liberty territory before the drive halted. Liberty defensive end TJ Bush got a pass breakup on first down, followed by a Brenton Williams tackle for loss on a reverse, and then Bryce Dixon tipped a pass on 3rd down to force the punt.

The Flames took over on their own 10 with less than a minute remaining in the half. Content to run the clock out, Liberty ran the ball the first two plays of the drive while the Hilltoppers called timeouts hoping to get the ball back with decent field position. On 3rd and long, Billy Lucas broke free for a 36 yard run to move the ball towards midfield with 39 seconds remaining. Liberty then went into hurry up mode to try to tack on some points before the break. Salter would find an open Juju Gray in the back corner of the end zone to take the 21-7 lead at the break.

WKU would open the second half with a touchdown drive, making this a one score game once again. The Flames quickly answered. Juju Gray returned the ensuing kickoff across midfield and to the 38 yard line. On the next play, Gray took the screen pass and nearly broke it into the end zone, being knocked out at the 2. Cooley would punch it in on the next play, as the Flames went back up by two scores.

The Hilltoppers once again responded. Their 13 play drive went 75 yards and had three third down conversions, getting into the end zone to make it 28-21. Liberty drove into WKU red zone on its next drive, adding a 29-yard Colin Karhu field goal to take a 31-21 advantage.

Liberty’s defense would then get the stop it needed. The Flames were able to force a WKU punt allowing the offense to get the ball back with a two score lead.

The Flames would milk the clock, with the drive taking over six minutes and ending in a Salter touchdown to put this game well out of reach.

LUCAS RUN PROVIDES SEPARATION

The game was back and forth throughout the first half. Both teams had success moving the ball but struggled at times putting points on the board, partly due to turnovers. The Flames were able to take a 14-7 lead and it looked like that would be the margin at the break. With the Hilltoppers getting the ball to start the second half, it gave them the ability to try to get points and tie it up after the break.

That all changed on 3rd and long with 45 seconds left. The Flames looked like they were going to run the clock out, but Billy Lucas had other thoughts. He broke free in the middle of the defense, a defense that knew a run was coming. Lucas ran 36 yards to move the ball towards midfield and give the Flames a chance to try and put points on the board.

Salter would connect with Reese Smith to move into field goal range, and the Liberty quarterback then ran for another first down. After a WKU penalty, the Flames moved into the red zone as time ticked under 20 seconds. Salter would find an open Juju Gray in the back right corner of the end zone, the touchdown pass giving the Flames a 21-7 lead at the break.

That drive, spanning 90 yards in 45 seconds, and more specifically Lucas’ run, changed the feel of the game going into the second half.

POUND THE ROCK

Liberty dominated the game on the ground against Western Kentucky. The Flames rushed for 290 yards in the first half alone and finished the game with 419 yards on the ground.

Quinton Cooley and Billy Lucas both went over 100 yards, as Cooley ran 24 times for 166 yards and 2 scores and Lucas went for 131 yards and a score on 19 carries.

Liberty has rushed for 300 yards or more yards in each of the last three games. The Flames have now rushed for 300 or more yards ten times under Coach Chadwell. The Flames are now 10-0 when surpassing the 300 yard mark on the ground. In his head coaching career, Chadwell’s teams are now 36-0 when rushing for 300 or more yards.

CUSA CHAMPIONSHIP

Win and you’re in. It was that way entering today and it remains that way.

With Liberty’s win over Western Kentucky, the Flames now head to Texas to take on Sam Houston. A win over the Bearkats and Liberty will play at Jacksonville State for the CUSA Championship.

It’s been an up and d own season, but, when it mattered most, the Flames got the job done and took care of business on Saturday against a good Western Kentucky team. Now, one more win and this team will play for a second straight conference championship.

Up Next

Liberty concludes the regular season on the road this week at Sam Houston in Huntsville, Texas. The Bearkats are 8-3 on the season and 5-2 in CUSA play following their 21-11 loss to Jacksonville State Saturday afternoon. Kickoff from Bowers Stadium is scheduled for Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, at 3:30 p.m. Eastern and will be televised on CBS Sports Network.