Game Day: FIU - Liberty University

Riding a six-game winning streak, Liberty (6-1, 3-0 CUSA) welcomes FIU (3-4, 1-2 CUSA) to Williams Stadium for a Saturday Homecoming clash between the conference's top two defensive squads.

Broadcast Information:
TV: CBS Sports Network

Broadcast team: Jack Gordon (play-by-play) and Taylor McHargue (analyst)

Radio: LFSN Radio (Local: 88.3 FM | Liberty Flames Mobile App | LibertyFlames.com

Broadcast team: Alan York (play-by-play), Jason Porter (analyst) and Nick Pierce (sidelines)

Game Day Information:
Location: Lynchburg, Va.
Stadium: Williams Stadium
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET

"4 Downs" with FIU

#1 Liberty ranks No. 1 in CUSA (just ahead of FIU) and No. 7 nationally for scoring defense, allowing only 14.0 ppg. The Flames have held five straight opponents below 20 points, their longest such streak since a six-game span stretching from 2012 into 2013. Liberty is one of only three FBS teams which has yet to throw an interception this season, along with Boise State and USF.

#2 Each of the last two meetings between Liberty and FIU has gone into overtime. The only opponent the Flames have faced in three or more overtime clashes all-time is Coastal Carolina (3). Both of the Panthers' previous visits to Lynchburg have been nailbiters. Liberty denied a two-point try with 4:30 left to hang onto a 36-34 win in 2020. The Flames then sealed a 31-24 OT triumph in 2024 on Christian Bodnar's sack and forced fumble.

#3 Liberty has only allowed one opposing QB to throw for 300 yards since the start of 2024 (Delaware's Nick Minicucci in 2025). Chase Reeves is a perfect 11-for-11 on field goals during his first season as a Flame. The Liberty record for consecutive field goals made without a miss is 13, co-held by Daniel Whitehead (1991-92) and newly inducted Hall of Famer Matt Bevins (2010).

#4 The Flames are 6-0 this season and 30-4 under Jamey Chadwell when outrushing their opponents. Liberty has rushed for 200 yards in five consecutive games, moving up to No. 11 nationally for rushing offense (221.9 ypg). The Flames have been impressive in the fourth quarter this season, outscoring opponents 73-17.

A LIBERTY WIN WOULD...

Give the Flames their first seven-game winning streak since Liberty opened the 2023 season with 13 consecutive victories (Sept. 2-Dec. 1, 2023). It would be the sixth winning streak of 7+ contests in program history.
Push the Flames' all-time record against FIU to 4-1, including 3-0 at Williams Stadium.
Enable the Flames to start CUSA play with a 4-0 record for the first time since they went 8-0 in conference play in 2023.
Mark the Flames' eighth consecutive Homecoming triumph, improving their all-time record on Homecoming to 37-14.
Close out the Flames' second straight unbeaten October at 4-0, giving the team an 11-2 October record under Jamey Chadwell.
Mark the 23rd time in 54 seasons as a football program the Flames have recorded seven or more victories, including the seventh 7+ win campaign in the last eight years.

Going Bowling
With its 34-6 win at Kennesaw State last Thursday, Liberty earned bowl eligibilty for the seventh time in eight seasons as a full FBS bowl-eligible member.

Liberty was the 18th FBS team to reach bowl eligibility this season, including the fourth Group of Six program. The Flames trailed James Madison, North Dakota State and UTSA as Group of Six teams quickest to reach bowl eligibility.

The Flames competed in bowl games in each of their first six years at the FBS level, including wins in their first three trips (2019 Cure Bowl, 2020 Cure Bowl, 2021 LendingTree Bowl. In 2023, Liberty became the first CUSA team to compete in a New Year's Six Bowl, facing Oregon in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.

Homecoming
For the second straight year Liberty will celebrate Homecoming on Halloween weekend. Liberty posted a 59-30 Homecoming win over Delaware on Nov. 1, 2025.

The Flames are 36-14 all-time on Homecoming, winning on Homecoming each of the last seven seasons and going 15-3 in the last 18 years.

Including last year's win over Delaware, Liberty has averaged over 45 points per game in its last 18 Homecoming contests. That includes 14 40+-point outings, seven 50-point games and a program Homecoming-record 63 points in 2011 against Coastal Carolina.

Vs. Bowl Teams
FIU lost to UTSA in the First Responder Bowl last year. FIU is one out of seven teams on Liberty's schedule who competed in bowl games last season.

James Madison - College Football Playoff (L to Oregon)
Coastal Carolina - Independence Bowl (L to LA Tech)
Delaware - 68 Ventures Bowl (Beat Louisiana)
Kennesaw State - Myrtle Beach Bowl (L to WMU)
FIU - First Responder Bowl (L to UTSA)
WKU - New Orelean Bowl (Beat Southern Miss)
Missouri State - Xbox Bowl (L to Arkansas State)

Don't Leave Early
In each of Liberty's games this season, points have been scored within the last minute of the first half.

at JMU - Chase Reeves FG as time expired in 1st half
vs. G-W - Chase Reeves FG as time expired in 1st half
vs. Ball St. - Purdie TD pass to Person w/13 seconds left
at CCU - Coastal Carolina TD pass with 24 seconds left
at Delaware - Peyton Jones TD rush with 39 seconds left
vs. SHSU - Sam Houston FG with 16 seconds left
at Kennesaw State - KSU FG with 31 seconds left

Wire to Wire
Liberty trailed at some point in 10 straight games before beating Delaware (Oct. 2), Sam Houston (Oct. 8) and Kennesaw State (Oct. 22) wire to wire.

This is the first time since Nov. 11-25, 2023, that the Flames have not trailed at any point in three straight games.

Schedule

Players Mentioned

Christian Bodnar

Peyton Jones

Chase Reeves

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Players Mentioned

Christian Bodnar

Peyton Jones

Chase Reeves

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