Liberty was able to overcome a slow start to move to 5-1 on the season with a 42-24 win over UMass on Saturday evening.

Playing without Kaidon Salter, who didn’t make the trip to Amherst, Massachusetts, head coach Hugh Freeze turned Johnathan Bennett as the starter at quarterback. Bennett, the offense, and the team would get off to a slow start. The Minutemen jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, but that would be all the celebrating for UMass on the day.

The Flames would respond with 14 straight points and three touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 21-10 lead into the halftime break. It would be more of the same for Liberty in the second half as the Flames built a comfortable lead and coasted to the victory.

RUNNING BACKS CARRY THE LOAD ONCE AGAIN

Last week at Old Dominion, both Dae Dae Hunter and Shedro Louis went over 100 yards rushing while Hunter had three touchdowns. The dynamic duo came up big for the Flames’ offense once again against the Minutemen. Hunter rushed 17 times for 78 yards with a touchdown while Louis got into the end zone on three occasions.

With the quarterback by committee having the passing game inconsistent, Liberty has been able to lean on its running backs behind an offensive line that is paving the way. It has been exactly what this team needed as it hopes to get back to full strength at quarterback going down the stretch.

DEFENSE DOES ITS PART

Liberty’s defense gave up two explosive plays in the first half that led to 10 UMass points, but other than that the Minutemen were unable to string together anything of significance for the majority of the day. Seven of UMass’ points came off a defensive scoop and score of a Dae Dae Hunter fumble.

The Flames forced five three and outs on the Minutemen’s first six drives of the second half when the game was really put out of reach. In total, Liberty forced UMass into eight three and outs in the game.

UMass was held to 233 total yards on the day, 145 passing and 88 rushing. The Flames also continued to find a way to create turnovers, as Kobe Singleton picked off a pass after a Juawan Treadwell pass deflection tipped the ball up into the air and Singleton was able to slide in underneath the ball.

BENNETT GETS THE JOB DONE AT QB

It wasn’t always pretty, but Johnathan Bennett improves to 2-0 as a starting quarterback at the college level. He picked up the win in the Akron game earlier this season and did so again at UMass after getting the start. Bennett got off to a slow start, forcing Coach Freeze to turn to Nate Hampton for a couple of drives in the first half.

Ultimately, Freeze would go back to Bennett and he would get the job done. The Flames went to tempo in the second quarter, and it seemed as though Bennett thrived with the offense moving fast and not allowing the defense to rest or even get set at times.

His favorite target on the day was slot receiver Demario Douglas who had a big day. The Liberty receiver caught four passes for 134 yards and a touchdown and even had a touchdown catch called back due to penalty.

Bennett would finish the game 9 of 18 passing for 183 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also had 50 rushing yards on nine carries. With Salter still fighting a lingering groin injury and Charlie Brewer’s status still uncertain, it could be Bennett and Hampton’s job again next week.

Up Next

After two games away from home, Liberty will return to Williams Stadium next Saturday for homecoming against Gardner-Webb. Former Big South rival, the Runnin’ Bulldogs are 2-4 on the season following a 48-0 win over Robert Morris on Saturday afternoon. GWU hasn’t been afraid of playing FBS opponents, as Liberty will be the third FBS team they have faced this season. Gardner-Webb has lost to Coastal Carolina, 31-27, and Marshall, 28-7.

*photo courtesy Liberty Athletics