Press Conference: James Madison
9/2/2026 8:09:00 PM | Football
As part of the team's preparations for their season opener at James Madison on Saturday, Liberty Head Football Coach Jamey Chadwell met with the media earlier this week. Â
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During the media session, Chadwell provided his closing thoughts on the team's August Training Camp and looked ahead to the Battle of the Blue Ridge contest against James Madison.
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After Chadwell's weekly presser, wide receiver Jamari Person and linebacker Derrell Farrar addressed the media from the Media Room inside the Liberty Football Center.
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Liberty will kick off its 54th football season with the second installment of the Battle of the Blue Ridge. The Flames will travel to James Madison on Saturday for their 20th all-time meeting with the Dukes.
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James Madison recorded a 31-13 victory at Williams Stadium on September 20, 2025, in the inaugural Battle of the Blue Ridge clash, improving to 13-6 all-time against the Flames. However, Liberty won its most recent visit to Harrisonburg, a 26-21 triumph in the opening round of the 2014 FCS Playoffs.
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Liberty has won six straight season openers and eight of its last nine lid-lifters.
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Hopes are high for both Commonwealth rivals, as Liberty received a 100 percent bowl confidence index in the CUSA preseason poll and James Madison was tabbed to repeat as Sun Belt East Division champions.
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Jamey Chadwell is 25-13 beginning his fourth year at Liberty and owns a 56-19 coaching record dating back to the start of 2020. His next victory will be No. 125 of his 17-year head coaching career.
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Liberty returns Ethan Vasko, who started 10 games at quarterback for the Flames in 2025 and accounted for 15 TDs (10 passing, five rushing). He will be joined in the quarterback room by transfers Deshawn Purdie (Wake Forest) and Jaylen Henderson (West Virginia).
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A trio of transfer running backs represent Liberty on the Doak Walker preseason watch list, including Kam Davis (Florida State), Peyton Jones (Duke) and Kanye Udoh (Arizona State). The Flames are the only FBS squad to boast three Doak Walker watch list members.
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During the media session, Chadwell provided his closing thoughts on the team's August Training Camp and looked ahead to the Battle of the Blue Ridge contest against James Madison.
Â
After Chadwell's weekly presser, wide receiver Jamari Person and linebacker Derrell Farrar addressed the media from the Media Room inside the Liberty Football Center.
Â
Liberty will kick off its 54th football season with the second installment of the Battle of the Blue Ridge. The Flames will travel to James Madison on Saturday for their 20th all-time meeting with the Dukes.
Â
James Madison recorded a 31-13 victory at Williams Stadium on September 20, 2025, in the inaugural Battle of the Blue Ridge clash, improving to 13-6 all-time against the Flames. However, Liberty won its most recent visit to Harrisonburg, a 26-21 triumph in the opening round of the 2014 FCS Playoffs.
Â
Liberty has won six straight season openers and eight of its last nine lid-lifters.
Â
Hopes are high for both Commonwealth rivals, as Liberty received a 100 percent bowl confidence index in the CUSA preseason poll and James Madison was tabbed to repeat as Sun Belt East Division champions.
Â
Jamey Chadwell is 25-13 beginning his fourth year at Liberty and owns a 56-19 coaching record dating back to the start of 2020. His next victory will be No. 125 of his 17-year head coaching career.
Â
Liberty returns Ethan Vasko, who started 10 games at quarterback for the Flames in 2025 and accounted for 15 TDs (10 passing, five rushing). He will be joined in the quarterback room by transfers Deshawn Purdie (Wake Forest) and Jaylen Henderson (West Virginia).
Â
A trio of transfer running backs represent Liberty on the Doak Walker preseason watch list, including Kam Davis (Florida State), Peyton Jones (Duke) and Kanye Udoh (Arizona State). The Flames are the only FBS squad to boast three Doak Walker watch list members.
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