Game Day: UConn
11/9/2022 2:33:56 PM | Football
Liberty will wrap up a two-game road swing this weekend when the Flames travel to East Hartford, Conn., to take on UConn in the final road game of the year season.
Game Day Central page
Live Audio (LFSN Radio)
Live Stats (UConnHuskies.com)
Live Video (CBS Sports Network)
Donald Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field
Tailgating and Parking Information
Other Links:
Weather – East Hartford, Conn.
Official Kickoff:
12:05 p.m. (EST)
TV Coverage:
CBS Sports Network
Play-By-Play Broadcaster: Meghan McPeak
Color Commentator: Christian Fauria
Sideline Reporter: Justin Walters
Liberty Flames Sports Network – Radio
LFSN Radio Network Affiliates List
Play-By-Play Broadcaster: Alan York
Color Commentator: Aaron Stamn
Sidelines: Jamie Hall
Pregame: Alan York, Aaron Stamn and Jamie Hall
Pregame Show: 10:30 a.m. (EST)
Saturday's Top Storylines
- Coming off its first-ever win over an SEC opponent (Arkansas), No. 19 Liberty (8-1) will close out its road schedule at fellow FBS Independent UConn (5-5) on Saturday.
- Liberty was routed 59-0 in its only previous meeting with the Huskies, Sept. 10, 2005 in East Hartford. Since that day, the Flames are 128-76 while UConn is 76-128.
- The Flames have won six consecutive games overall and three straight road contests. Liberty's 4-1 road record this season is its best as an FBS program.
- Liberty's defense has played exceptionally well this season, as the Flames lead the nation in both sacks per game (3.78) and tackles for loss per game (9.3) while ranking No. 8 in turnovers gained (20). The Flames recorded a season-high 14 tackles for loss at Arkansas and stuffed a potential game-tying two-point try with 1:11 to play.
- DE Durrell Johnson paced the defensive effort at Arkansas with a career-high nine tackles, a career high-equaling 3.5 tackles and a pair of sacks. For the season, he ranks No. 3 nationally with 1.7 tackles for loss per game.
- Johnathan Bennett improved to 5-0 as Liberty's starting QB during the win at Arkansas. He completed 15-of-25 passes for 224 yards and a career-high three TDs.
- WR Demario Douglas hauled in seven of Bennett's passes for a season-high 145 yards and his sixth TD of the season last Saturday. The redshirt sophomore is just 40 receiving yards shy of 2,000 for his career.
A Liberty Win Would ...
- Mark the Flames' first-ever victory over UConn and their first triumph in the state of Connecticut.
- Make UConn the fourth team the Flames have defeated for the first time in 2022 (also Akron, Arkansas and BYU).
- Extend the Flames' winning streak to seven games, the team's longest streak since Liberty won 10 in a row between Nov. 30, 2019-Nov. 14, 2020.
- Push the Flames' road winning streak to four games, the team's longest stretch of consecutive road victories since Oct. 11-Nov. 29, 2014, when Liberty also won four straight on the road.
- Be the Flames' fifth road victory of the season, Liberty's most since winning five road games in 2014.
- Tie the 2020 Liberty team for the best start through 10 games in program history, 9-1.
- Improve the Flames' all-time record to 5-1 when playing as a Top 25 team.
“4 Downs” with UConn
#1 Liberty is ranked No. 19 in both national polls this week, marking the Flames' highest regular-season national ranking in each poll in program history. If the Flames crack Tuesday's College Football Playoff rankings, it would be their first-ever CFP ranking. Liberty is bowl eligible for the fourth straight season, while UConn is a win away from its first bowl eligibility since 2015.
#2 Liberty and UConn feature two of the most opportunistic defenses in FBS football. The Flames rank No. 8 nationally with 20 takeaways this season, while the Huskies sit No. 16 with 18 takeaways. Entering their second head-to-head meeting, Liberty and UConn have posted completely opposite records since the first matchup on Sept. 10, 2005. The Flames are 128-76 since that day, while the Huskies are 76-128.
#3 Liberty and UConn have each won three bowl games in program history. Liberty is 2-1 in three previous appearances on the CBS Sports Network (last at UAB, 10/2/21). 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 Liberty is seeking its fourth straight road win since losing to an ACC foe (Wake Forest), while UConn is aiming for its fourth consecutive home victory since losing to an ACC opponent (Syracuse). The Flames are 4-1 away from Lynchburg this season, marking the team's most road triumphs since 2014.
