Liberty Inches Close To Return Trip To Conference USA Championship Game (11-23-24)
By: Ty Tracy
All Photo Credit: Brynne Smith & Maliyah Allen-LMS Network
Liberty Flames keep their three-game winning streak alive and their eight-plus games for the sixth consecutive season to keep alive hopes of a second straight trip to the conference championship game. There is only one game away from being back in the conference title picture. The Flames defeated the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 38 to 21 and knew how important for them to win this game.
The Flames rushing attack was in full effect rushing for a total of 419. Liberty’s RB Quinton Cooley and Billy Lucas were carrying the workload for the offense rushing for a combined 304 yards on the ground both averaging 7 yards per carry. Along with QB Kaidon Salter rushing for 86 yards from 11 rushing attempts. The Hilltoppers defense did not have answers on containing Quinton Cooley and Billy Lucas Saturday. Liberty scored 21 straight points in the second quarter on three straight drives to make the score 21-7 at the end of the first half.
In the second half, both teams were trading touchdowns QB Kaidon Salter iced the game with a three-yard touchdown run making the score 38-21. The Flames defense managed to create four turnovers from the Hilltoppers offense. Hilltoppers QB Caden Veltkamp threw three picks, the first two picks came from back-to-back drives in the beginning of the game. Flames CB AmarianWilliams made two interceptions, including one with 2:03 remaining to seal it.
Quinton Cooley has reached the 1,000-yard market again for his second straight season with the Flames. The Flames entered ranked No. 5 nationally in rushing for 250 yards per game. Coach Chadwell is 9-0 when his offense rushes over 300 yards. The Flames finished their final home game of the season and will face Sam Houston Bearkats on Friday for their final season of the regular. The winner of this will play against Jacksonville St Gamecocks for the Conference USA title that will be hosted in Jacksonville clinching the home-field conference game after beating Sam Houston Saturday 21-11. As of right, it’s a three-way tie at the second-place position between Liberty, Western Kentucky, and Sam Houston, but after Liberty beat Western Kentucky, now they have to chance to head back to the Conference USA Championship game.
