By Packy Moore
LIBERTY FLAMES POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE WITH HEAD COACH JAMEY CHADWELL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsKtZIfCIQY
LYNCHBURG, Va. – The only college football game in the country on Tuesday night turned out to be an overtime thriller with Liberty securing a 31-24 Conference USA victory over FIU.
After the Panthers scored two touchdowns during the final seven minutes of regulation, Liberty’s stout rushing attack and a key defensive stop by Christian Bodnar allowed the Flames to push the nation’s longest regular season winning streak to 17 games.
Liberty came into the game ranked No. 18 in the country in rushing offense (216.5 yards per game). The Flames finished the game with a season-high 281 rushing yards on 50 carries and scored all four of their touchdowns on the ground.
The Flames were led by Quinton Cooley, who carried the ball a career-high 29 times for 174 yards and two touchdowns. The senior has surpassed the 100-yard mark in four of Liberty’s five games in 2024 and has tallied 11 career 100-yard games during two season on the Mountain.
Quarterback Kaidon Salter completed 9-of-16 passing attempts for 125 yards. He also rushed the ball 12 times for 60 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime.
Liberty’s two leading tacklers finished the night with career highs. Christian Bodnar had seven stops. He also sacked FIU quarterback Keyone Jenkins on the game’s final play, forcing a fumble which Liberty recovered to seal the victory.
Additionally, linebacker Jahmar Brown matched Bodnar with seven stops, including 3.0 tackles for a loss (10 yards).
The Flames’ win today:
- Extends the Flames’ program-record regular-season winning streak to 17, the longest active streak in FBS football.
- Gives the Flames their second-longest home winning streak (12 games) in program history, trailing only the 15-game streak which spanned Sept. 14, 2019-Oct. 30, 2021.
- Enables the Flames to start 5-0 for the second year in a row and the third time in the last five seasons.
- Keeps the Flames undefeated against FIU all-time at 3-0.
- Pushes the Flames’ all-time record in CUSA games to 11-0.
- Enables the Flames to join Southern Miss (1996-97) as the only CUSA newcomers to start each of their first two conference seasons at 3-0.
- Improves the Flames’ record to 21-1 all-time when facing CUSA opponents (at time of meeting) with their 20th consecutive win in such contests.
- Represents the Flames’ 11th straight victory in October and their 17th triumph in the last 18 October tilts, dating back to 2020.
Box Score Highlights:
Final Score: 31-24 (OT)
Liberty (5-0, 3-0 CUSA)
FIU (2-4, 1-1 CUSA)
Location: Williams Stadium (Lynchburg, Va.)
Attendance: 16,343
What’s Next:
Following the Flames second lengthy time off of the 2024 season, Liberty continues Conference USA midweek action in two weeks when they visit Kennesaw State on Oct. 23.
The game at Fifth Third Stadium will be the fourth in the series between the two programs, but the first since 2017 when Liberty and Kennesaw State were both members of the Big South Conference.
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. (Fifth Third Stadium)
TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: LFSN Radio (Flagship Station: The Journey 88.3 FM Lynchburg)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. (EST)
COURTESY LIBERTY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
