The Liberty Flames (4-0, 2-0 CUSA) are back in action against Florida International (2-3, 1-0 CUSA). The Flames and Panthers are scheduled to meet at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia on Tuesday, October 8 at 7 PM. The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
“I think they’re playing well,” said Liberty head coach Jamey Chadwell of the Panthers. “They obviously have extra time preparing for us. They’re 1-0 in the league. It’s for first place. That’s the way I look at it – for first place in the league. We’ll have to play well. We’ll have to play disciplined. “
Last year, the Flames knocked off the Panthers, 38-6, at FIU Stadium in Miami. Both Billy Lucas and Quinton Cooley rushed for exactly 102 yards as Liberty ran for 364 yards. Kaidon Salter accounted for four touchdowns, two passing and two on the ground.
It was just the second ever meeting between the two programs. Liberty won the first ever, 36-34 on Sept. 26, 2020, to hold a 2-0 series advantage.
Last season, FIU began the season 3-1 but lost seven of their final eight contests to finish at 4-8 overall and 1-7 in conference play under second year head coach Mike MacIntyre.
MacIntyre, who has previous head coaching stops at San Jose State and Colorado, guided his previous programs to 10-win seasons by his third or fourth year in the program. He’s hoping to do the same at FIU who has begun the year at 2-3.
The Panthers lost to Indiana, 31-7, to open the season, but dominated Central Michigan, 52-16, in the first game played at the renamed Pitbull Stadium. They did suffer two straight setbacks including a 45-42 loss to FCS foe Monmouth. FIU bounced back last week, defeating Louisiana Tech 17-10 to open CUSA play at 1-0.
“I would think that their record does not indicate how good they actually are,” said Liberty head coach Jamey Chadwell of the Panthers. “They played Indiana. Indiana’s blowing everybody out. They played them really well, first game of the year, and they blew out Central Michigan. Then, FAU, they turned the ball over, and then they obviously lost to Monmouth. They played Louisiana Tech and really shut them down.”
Sophomore Keyone Jenkins took over at quarterback for the Panthers last season. Through the first five games this year, he has completed 91 of 145 passes for 1,104 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. He’s also rushed the ball 32 times for 50 yards and one score. He is someone that you have to account for in both the pass and the run game.
Kejon Owens leads the team in rushing with 45 carries for 213 yards and 3 touchdowns while Lexington Joseph has 36 rushing attempts for 169 yards and 2 scores.
Jenkins’ favorite targets are Eric Rivers and Dean Patterson. Rivers has 19 receptions for 353 yards and three touchdowns. Patterson has 21 catches for 259 yards and two touchdowns.
“The quarterback makes a lot of plays,” Chadwell stated. “The running back’s finally healthy. He’s got some playmakers. The quarterback and the skill guys always scare you a little bit.”
On defense, FIU is allowing opponents to score 28 points per game. They do lead CUSA in passing defensive efficiency and have a league-best 6 interceptions with five of those coming in the win over Central Michigan. The Panthers are second in the conference, trailing only Liberty, in third down defense as they are holding opponents to a 33.8% conversion percentage.
“They’re physical,” Chadwell said of the FIU secondary. “They cover well, they’re very aggressive. They’re ball-hawkish. They’re physical. They play with great instincts. They cover. They can see routes coming.”
The Panthers are allowing opponents to rush for 186 yards per contest which is currently ranked 108th in the country.
“I think they’re well coached,” said Chadwell. “They play extremely hard. I think defensively, they’ve really upgraded their talent. Their group of DBs is probably the best group of DBs in this league. They’re really good. They changed up some things on defense, and they’re playing really well there.”
PREDICTION
Liberty 35, FIU 17
Line: Liberty -19.5
Picks results this year:
Straight-up: 4-0
ATS: 3-1
