Game Day: UMass
10/5/2022 1:31:59 PM | Football
Liberty will close out a two-game road swing this weekend when the Flames travel to Amherst, Va., to face the Minutemen of UMass for the fifth year in a row.
Game Day Central page
Live Audio (LFSN Radio)
Live Stats (UMassathletics.com)
Live Video (ESPN+)
Tailgating and Parking Information
Other Links:
Official Kickoff:
3:30 p.m. (EST)
TV Coverage:
ESPN+
Play-By-Play Broadcaster: Jay Burnham
Color Commentator: Andy Gresh
Sideline Reporter: Matt Goldstein
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 Aaron Stamn
Pregame Show: 2:00 p.m. (EST)
Saturday's Top Storylines
- Liberty (4-1) will remain on the road for the second straight weekend, traveling to fellow FBS Independent UMass (1-4).
- UMass is the only opponent Liberty has faced during each of its first five FBS seasons (2018-present). The Flames are 3-1 against the Minutemen, having won each of the last three head-to-head meetings. Liberty is averaging 57.3 ppg against UMass all-time.
- The Flames' defense has already recorded 14 takeaways this season, ranking third nationally in the category and exceeding their season total from 2021 (11 takeaways). S Robert Rahimi has come up with an interception in each of the last three games, making him the first Flame since 2016 with a pick in three straight contests.
- RB Dae Dae Hunter starred during the Flames' 38-24 win at Old Dominion, notching his second straight 100-yard game on the ground and tallying three TDs (two rushing, one receiving). Hunter recorded the game's final two scores, enabling Liberty to break a 24-24 deadlock late in the third quarter.
- Liberty utilized three different QBs at Old Dominion, including starter Kaidon Salter, Johnathan Bennett and Nate Hampton. Salter and Hampton each recorded their first career TD passes during last season's 62-17 home win over UMass (Oct. 30, 2021).
- Hugh Freeze is 30-12 during his four seasons as Liberty head coach. Last Saturday's win at Old Dominion tied Freeze with Danny Rocco as the fastest Flames head coaches ever to record 30 victories (in 42 games).
A Liberty Win Would ...
- Mark the first time in program history the Flames have started three consecutive seasons with a 5-1 record or better through six games.
- Improve the Flames' all-time record against UMass to 4-1 with their fourth consecutive victory over the Minutemen. UMass would become the first FBS opponent Liberty has ever defeated four times.
- Boost the Flames' record against fellow FBS Independents to 7-4 since Liberty joined the FBS ranks in 2018.
- Give the Flames a 12-2 record in October contests under Hugh Freeze, including a 2-0 mark this season.
- Mark the Flames' third road victory of the season, marking the third consecutive year Liberty has won 3+ road contests. Prior to 2020, the Flames had not posted three road wins in a season since 2014.
- Give the Flames their first three-game winning streak since Liberty won five in a row spanning Nov. 27, 2020 and Sept. 18, 2021.
“4 Downs” with UMass
#1 UMass is the only opponent Liberty has faced during each of its five seasons of FBS competition (2018-present). The two foes are scheduled to continue the streak in 2023, when the Minutemen visit Lynchburg on Nov. 18. The Flames will attempt to hand UMass its first home loss of 2022. The Minutemen topped Stony Brook, 20-3, in their home opener on Sept. 17.
#2 Liberty (tied for third, 14 takeaways) and UMass (tied for 22nd, 10 takeaways) both rank among the national leaders for turnovers gained. Liberty DL Dennis Osagiede played two seasons for UMass (2018-19) and appeared in the matchup with Liberty during both campaigns. The Flames have defeated two opponents (UAB and Old Dominion) during both 2021 and 2022 and will try to do the same against UMass.
#3 Liberty's top three scoring games against FBS opponents have come against UMass. The Flames scored 63 in 2019, 62 in 2021 and 59 in 2018. 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 averaging 57.3 ppg in four previous meetings with UMass. Four years ago (Nov. 3, 2018), host UMass topped Liberty 62-59 in a wild triple overtime contest. Since that game, the Flames are 32-14 including a trio of wins over the Minutemen. Conversely, UMass is just 3-32 over that same time period.
