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New Faces Shine During Flames Spring Football Game
3/1/2025 7:40:00 PM | Football
The more then 30 new faces on Liberty's roster took full advantage of their first time in front of Flames Nation during Liberty's annual spring football game on Saturday.
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On the first spring like Saturday of the 2025 calendar year, Liberty's red-clad offense and white-clad defense battled for 90 minutes inside of Williams Stadium.
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All three of Liberty's new quarterbacks finished the afternoon with multiple touchdown passes.
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Coastal Carolina transfer Ethan Vasko got the scoring going when he connected on a 26-yard touchdown pass to Julian Gray, now a member of Liberty's running back room.
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On the next drive, North Carolina transfer Michael Merdinger connected on his first of two short-yardage touchdown passes to redshirt freshman tight end Connie Hewitt, II.
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Wide receiver transfer Casey Cain, who joined Liberty's roster from UNLV, had two of the longest touchdown plays of the day. The senior caught a 55-yard pass from incoming freshman Ethan Houck and a 50-yarder from Vasko, with both scoring plays hitting the wide receiver in stride that led to the touchdowns.
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Houck, who enrolled at Liberty after graduating from Brunswick High School in Brunswick, Md., in December, also threw a five-yard touchdown play to redshirt freshman wide receiver Jamauri Knox and rushed for a 20-yard touchdown later in the scrimmage.
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Liberty's new-look running back room, which is looking to replace 87.1 percent of its rushing yardage (2,621-of-3,008) and 25-of-28 rushing touchdowns from 2024, got a four-yard rushing touchdown from redshirt freshman Caden Williams.
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The 90-minute workout opened with some strong play from Liberty's defense, which included a sack from returning CUSA All-Conference performer TJ Bush and a pass breakup on a would-be touchdown by safety Ronald Moore, Jr.
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When unable to find the end zone, Liberty's special teams added points to the scoreboard for the Flames on Saturday. Senior kicker Brayden Beck opened the day with a 39-yard field goal on a blustery day at Williams Stadium, while Caleb Willis added a 38-yarder later in the day.
The Flames will close out their annual spring practice workouts with three more practices next week – Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – before Liberty's student body leaves Lynchburg for the university's Spring Break week.
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Once the Flames return from Spring Break, Liberty will turn its attention to its offseason workouts and conditioning programs in preparation for the 2025 season. Liberty will open the season on the Mountain when they host Maine at Williams Stadium on August 30.
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2025 Football Season Ticket Information
Season tickets are on sale now for the 2025 football season! Starting at just $150, fans can save up to 48 percent by purchasing season tickets. Purchase today by going to www.LUFootball.com or calling/texting the Flames Ticket Office at (434) 592-5015.
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On the first spring like Saturday of the 2025 calendar year, Liberty's red-clad offense and white-clad defense battled for 90 minutes inside of Williams Stadium.
Â
All three of Liberty's new quarterbacks finished the afternoon with multiple touchdown passes.
Â
Coastal Carolina transfer Ethan Vasko got the scoring going when he connected on a 26-yard touchdown pass to Julian Gray, now a member of Liberty's running back room.
Â
On the next drive, North Carolina transfer Michael Merdinger connected on his first of two short-yardage touchdown passes to redshirt freshman tight end Connie Hewitt, II.
Â
Wide receiver transfer Casey Cain, who joined Liberty's roster from UNLV, had two of the longest touchdown plays of the day. The senior caught a 55-yard pass from incoming freshman Ethan Houck and a 50-yarder from Vasko, with both scoring plays hitting the wide receiver in stride that led to the touchdowns.
Â
Houck, who enrolled at Liberty after graduating from Brunswick High School in Brunswick, Md., in December, also threw a five-yard touchdown play to redshirt freshman wide receiver Jamauri Knox and rushed for a 20-yard touchdown later in the scrimmage.
Â
Liberty's new-look running back room, which is looking to replace 87.1 percent of its rushing yardage (2,621-of-3,008) and 25-of-28 rushing touchdowns from 2024, got a four-yard rushing touchdown from redshirt freshman Caden Williams.
Â
The 90-minute workout opened with some strong play from Liberty's defense, which included a sack from returning CUSA All-Conference performer TJ Bush and a pass breakup on a would-be touchdown by safety Ronald Moore, Jr.
Â
When unable to find the end zone, Liberty's special teams added points to the scoreboard for the Flames on Saturday. Senior kicker Brayden Beck opened the day with a 39-yard field goal on a blustery day at Williams Stadium, while Caleb Willis added a 38-yarder later in the day.
???YEAAAA, @DuceHewitt pic.twitter.com/hNQ2gT9sLP
— Liberty Football (@LibertyFootball) March 1, 2025
Following the practice session, the Flames spent time with their fans during an autograph session held inside the Liberty Indoor Football Practice Facility to round out the festive day.spring game shots ?? pic.twitter.com/vVWiEbgAJQ
— Liberty Football (@LibertyFootball) March 1, 2025
The Flames will close out their annual spring practice workouts with three more practices next week – Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – before Liberty's student body leaves Lynchburg for the university's Spring Break week.
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Once the Flames return from Spring Break, Liberty will turn its attention to its offseason workouts and conditioning programs in preparation for the 2025 season. Liberty will open the season on the Mountain when they host Maine at Williams Stadium on August 30.
Â
2025 Football Season Ticket Information
Season tickets are on sale now for the 2025 football season! Starting at just $150, fans can save up to 48 percent by purchasing season tickets. Purchase today by going to www.LUFootball.com or calling/texting the Flames Ticket Office at (434) 592-5015.
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