Game Day: Gardner-Webb
10/12/2022 12:46:20 PM | Football
- Live Audio (LFSN Radio)
- Live Stats (LibertyFlames.com)
- Live Video (ESPN+)
- Williams Stadium
- Fan Guide
- Flames Illustrated Game Program (digital version)
- Flames Ticket Office
- Game Day Information Guide
- Tailgating and Parking Information
- Williams Stadium Clear Bag Policy
- Homecoming Weekend
Other Links:
Official Kickoff:
3:32 p.m. (EST)
TV Coverage:
ESPN+
Play-By-Play Broadcaster: Matt Warner
Color Commentator: Joe Jauch
Sideline Reporter: Emily Austen
Pregame Show: 2:30 p.m. on ESPN+
Radio Coverage:
Liberty Flames Sports Network – Radio
LFSN Radio Network Affiliates List
Play-By-Play Broadcaster: Alan York
Color Commentator: Aaron Stamn
Sidelines: Nick Pierce
Pregame: Nick Pierce and Mitch Hanson
Pregame Show: 2:00 p.m. (EST)
Liberty Storylines
- Liberty (5-1) will welcome former Big South Conference rival Gardner-Webb (2-4, 1-0 Big South) to Williams Stadium on Saturday for the Flames' 48th annual Homecoming clash.
- Saturday will mark the 25th all-time meeting in a head-to-head series Liberty leads 14-9-1. The Flames are 10-1 in their last 11 meetings with the Runnin' Bulldogs and 2-2 when hosting Gardner-Webb for Homecoming.
- A win on Saturday would make Liberty bowl eligible for the fourth consecutive season and would give the Flames six or more victories for the 17th straight year. Liberty is 125-67 since the start of the 2006 campaign.
- Liberty is 7-0 versus FCS opponents since joining the FBS ranks in 2018 (average score: 50.7 to 22.4). The Flames are 36-8 all-time at Williams Stadium against Big South opponents and 33-14 on Homecoming.
- Liberty's defense ranks No. 2 nationally with 15 takeways, exceeding the Flames' total of 11 takeaways from the 2021 season. The Flames posted season highs for sacks (6) and tackles for loss (11) during last week's 42-24 win at UMass and rank among the top 5 nationally in both categories.
- The Flames' RB duo of Dae Dae Hunter and Shedro Louis continues to perform well. Hunter is averaging 102.5 rushing yards/game over the last four contests, while Louis rushed for a career-high three TDs at UMass, the most by a Liberty RB since Nov. 30, 2019 (Frankie Hickson - 4 vs. New Mexico State).
A Liberty Win Would ...
- Make the Flames bowl eligible for the fourth consecutive season.
- Give the Flames their 17th straight season with six or more victories, extending a streak which began in 2006.
- Mark the fifth time in program history Liberty has started a season 6-1 or better through seven games (also 7-0 in 2020 and 6-1 in 1989, 1997 and 2008).
- Boost the Flames' all-time record against Gardner-Webb to 15-9-1, making the Runnin' Bulldogs the second opponent Liberty has ever defeated 15 times (also Charleston Southern - 19).
- Keep the Flames' record against FCS foes unbeaten (8-0) since joining the FBS ranks in 2018.
- Improve the Flames' all-time record against Big South opponents to 59-23, including 37-8 at Williams Stadium.
- Be the Flames' fourth consecutive triumph on Homecoming, moving their all-time Homecoming record to 34-14.
“4 Downs” with Gardner-Webb
#1 Although Liberty and Gardner-Webb have not met since 2017, Saturday will mark the 25th all-time matchup between the two teams. Charleston Southern (also 25 meetings) is the only other opponent Liberty has faced 25+ times. The Flames hosted the Runnin' Bulldogs almost exactly 20 years ago (Oct. 5, 2002) on Homecoming for the first-ever Big South Conference football contest.
#2 Liberty has recorded 15 takeaways this season, ranking No. 2 nationally in the category. The Flames are two behind national leader Coastal Carolina. The Chanticleers recorded five takeaways during their 31-27 win over Gardner-Webb on Sept. 10. Saturday's game will pit two fierce pass-rushing teams against one another. Liberty ranks No. 3 in FBS football with 3.83 sacks per game, while G-W is No. 16 in the FCS ranks with 3.17 sacks per contest.
#3 Saturday will mark just Liberty's third home game of the season and the third contest of Gardner-Webb's four-game road swing through four different states. The Flames have used three different starting quarterbacks this season (Charlie Brewer, Kaidon Salter and Johnathan Bennett) for the first time since 2005 (Brock Farrel, Zach Terrell and Brock Smith).
#4 The Flames are facing their fourth different Big South opponent in as many seasons (Hampton in 2019, North Alabama in 2020, Campbell in 2021 and Gardner-Webb in 2022). Liberty is seeking its fourth straight win over a Big South foe and its fourth consecutive victory overall this season.
