Liberty Stays Undefeated, Defeats UTEP 28-10 (9-14-24)
By: Ty Tracy
All Photo Credit: Brynne Smith-LMS Network
The Liberty return to Williams Stadium after being on the road last week beating New Mexico St from a comeback in a tight ball game in the fourth quarter to seal the win on the road. Tonight, was the Billy Lucas show running for 104 yards for 21 carries seeing the endzone three times helping the Flames to receive another win in conference play. After star running back Quinton Cooley went down due to an injury in the first quarter causing him to sit out for an entire game. Liberty Flames Head Coach Jamie Chadwell mentioned Cooley’s injury saying “Cooley’s injury doesn’t sound good. It has to be a next man up mentality, and changes up a quite bit.” Alongside Redshirt Freshman WR Darius Copeland, who coach Chadwell mentioned about him being a part of a huge gameplan for Saturday games and having great practice this past week until he suffered an injury, Flames Redshirt Junior Receiver Tyson Mobley made a huge play for the Flames when Kadion Salters hits him on a back shoulder 13 yard receiving touchdown capping off the game 28 to 10 with 6:50 left in the game. KadionSalter managed to complete all eight of his passes during that last drive to lead up to the touchdown pass. He finished the game throwing for 244 yards and completing 78.9% with one touchdown pass.
The Flames’ defense managed to have an outstanding performance holding UTEP’s fast fast-paced no huddle offense to 73 total plays on the offensive end holding the Miners to ten points only giving up one big play when QB Locklear hits WR Kenny Odom on a quick slant for a 60-yard receiving TD in the third quarter. That was the only time that the Miners were able to see the endzone after that. The Flames front four was getting a lot of pressure on UTEP’s QB Skyler Locklear all night making him throw two interceptions completing 60.4% of his passes throwing 244 yards with one touchdown pass. Sophomore Defensive End TJ Bush was causing a lot of problems for Skyler Locklear to sit comfortably in the pocket. Bush led the defense with 1.5 TFL and Sacks with 5 total tackles and 2 PD.
The Flames are now 10-0 in Conference USA games as a member and 19-1 all-time against teams that were Conference USA members when the game was played along with extending their regular season winning streak to 15 games. The Flames will be back home next Saturday against East Carolina Pirates then will be on the road September 28th to face against the Appalachian St Mountaineers at Kidd Brewer Stadium.
