The Liberty Flames (6-2, 4-2 CUSA) step out of conference play for the final time this regular season to take on UMass (2-7). The Flames and Minutemen are scheduled to meet in Amherst, Massachusetts on Saturday, November 16 at Noon on ESPN+.
The Flames and Minutemen are squaring off for the seventh consecutive season. Liberty is 5-1 versus UMass, having won five straight meetings and scoring 42+ points every time it has faced the Minutemen. During the Flames’ previous three contests in Amherst, they have averaged 54.7 points and 557 yards of offense per game.
Last year, Liberty defeated UMass in Lynchburg, 49-25. The Flames racked up 324 yards on the ground with QB Kaidon Salter (118 yards, 2 TDs) and RB Quinton Cooley (102 yards, 1 TD) both going over the century mark.
Jamey Chadwell is 4-0 all-time against UMass, as Coastal Carolina defeated the Minutemen in 2017 (38-28), 2019 (62-28) and 2021 (53-3). He was, of course, on the sidelines to lead Liberty to the victory a season ago.
It’s no secret that UMass has struggled since making the move to FBS. Don Brown is in his third season leading the program where he has a 6-26 record. The longtime defensive coach was also UMass’ head coach from 2004-2008 when the Minutemen were in the FCS. Brown led them to an FCS runner-up finish in 2006.
This season has been another difficult one for Brown and UMass. They are 0-7 against FBS foes with their only wins coming against FCS teams Central Connecticut State (35-31) and Wagner (35-7). The Minutemen have three SEC opponents on their schedule, including a trip to take on Georgia next week.
UMass has also played five MAC schools, dropping all five contests, but they haven’t all been lopsided. The Minutemen were in a one-possession with Northern Illinois in the fourth quarter, the same team that beat Notre Dame back in September. The Minutemen also lost in overtime to Miami Ohio who is currently in first place in the MAC.
“I think our opponent, obviously their record’s what it is, but they’ve played an unbelievable schedule,” said Chadwell. “If you look at it, played a really tough schedule, and been in a lot of games with some MAC schools that are similar, as far as ability wise to us, and had some chances. They’re playing a Northern Illinois team, who beat Notre Dame, and they’re right there in it. So, I think they’ve improved tremendously, and our guys need to play well to go and get a victory.”
This week and the rest of the way this year, the Minutemen will have to move forward without their quarterback Taisun Phommachanh. The dual-threat QB had completed 132 of 234 passes for 1,590 yards, 8 touchdowns and 6 interceptions this season. He was also second on the team with 317 rushing yards while leading the way with 107 carries.
The two-year starter, Phommachanh was injured in UMass’ previous game at Mississippi State on Nov. 2. He did not return to action, and, earlier this week, Coach Brown stated that his quarterback would miss the rest of the season.
Two quarterbacks played in relief of Phommachanh against Mississippi State and Brown did not name a starter for Saturday’s game against the Flames.
“They are two different,” Chadwell said of the Minutemen’s options at quarterback. “They got a big, strong kid that has a big time arm, can really can throw it. Then, the other one can really run, very quick. It scares you, because they can send some guys deep, and then he can just get out of the pocket and make some things happen. The starter was a great player, that’s unfortunate he’s out for the season. But I think it gives us a challenge, our defense a challenge, because now you gotta prepare for two different types.”
AJ Hairston and Ahmad Haston, both freshmen, got some work against the Bulldogs following Phommachanh’s injury. Hairston, a 6’3” true freshman, completed 7 of 11 passes for 62 yards and a touchdown in the game. He had 5 rushing attempts for -6 yards. Meanwhile, against the Bulldogs, Haston, a 6’0” redshirt-freshman, completed 4 of 5 passes for 25 yards and also rushed 5 times for 22 yards. It was Hairston’s first career action while Haston has played in five games for UMass over the past two seasons, completing 18 of 25 passes for 211 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. He’s also rushed 23 times for 83 yards.
“Our defense this week’s gonna have to do a really good job of making sure they’re locked in and who’s in there and what the expectation is,” Chadwell continued. “Then, once we’re up there, being able to adjust, as far as this is what they’re trying to do to you, to adjust and follow our rules and the fundamentals that we played with. That, I think to me, is going to be the key for our defense. No matter who’s back there, we got to make sure we’re doing the things, fitting the gaps and all the things that we’re supposed to do no matter who you’re playing.”
It is a bit of a committee approach for the Minutemen at running back. In addition to Phommachanh, CJ Hester leads the way with 81 carries for 349 yards and 2 touchdowns. Jaylen John has 69 rushes for 279 yards and a touchdown.
Jakobie Keeney-James leads UMass with 36 receptions for 595 yards and 4 touchdowns. T.Y. Harding has 13 catches for 258 yards and 4 scores.
The Massachusetts defense is holding opponents to 164.7 passing yards per game, which ranks 10th in the FBS. UMass ranks 36th in total defense, allowing 328 yards per game.
“We gotta show up and play well to beat anybody, truth be told,” said Chadwell. “I think our leadership will do a good job of making sure that we want to improve from where we’re at and not go backwards. I think that’s been a big key for us. At least the last two weeks, we’ve been more consistent with the effort and the focus that we need to have. I do believe they’re hungry to continue to do that. It doesn’t mean we’re going to win the game, but I do expect to go up there and play and play hard and play well.”
PREDICTION
Liberty 37, UMass 20
Line: Liberty -14
Picks results this year:
Straight-up: 6-2
ATS: 6-2
