From the Media Room: UTEP

As part of the team's preparations for a return to Conference USA action next Wednesday, Liberty Head Football Coach Jamey Chadwell met with the media on Thursday.

During the media session, he provided his final thoughts on the Old Dominion game and looked ahead to the Flames' road trip to El Paso, Texas, to square off against the Miners.

After Chadwell's weekly presser, running back Julian Gray and safety A'Khori Jones addressed the media from the Media Room inside the Liberty Football Center.

The Flames are 2-0 all-time against UTEP, defeating the Miners in each of the last two seasons by an average of 16 points per contest.

Liberty is 23-5 all-time against CUSA opponents (at time of meeting) but is seeking its first CUSA victory of 2025.

Jamey Chadwell is 22-9 in his third year at Liberty and owns a 53-15 coaching record dating back to the start of 2020. The Flames are 8-5 on the road under Chadwell and 13-4 in CUSA matchups.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Michael Merdinger made his first career start in place of the injured Ethan Vasko, Sept. 27 at Old Dominion.

Wide receiver Donte Lee, Jr. paces the Flames in receiving yards (261) and receiving TDs (3). He ranks No. 7 nationally with 26.1 yards per reception.

Liberty's defense recorded four takeaways (three fumble recoveries and an interception) during their most recent outing, a 21-7 setback at Old Dominion on Sept. 27. That marked the Flames' most turnovers forced since Nov. 23, 2024 vs. WKU.

Linebackers Joseph Carter (career high-equaling 13 tackles, forced fumble) and Derrell Farrar (career-high 11 tackles, forced fumble) spearheaded the Flames' defensive efforts at Old Dominion. Farrar (36 tackles) and Carter (32) are the team's top two tacklers this year.

Schedule

Players Mentioned

Joseph Carter

Derrell Farrar

Julian Gray

A'Khori Jones

Donte Lee, Jr.

Michael Merdinger

Ethan Vasko