Unbeaten Liberty puts perfect season on the line against ODU team specializing in tight games
James Madison coach Curt Cignetti, left, meets with Old Dominion coach Ricky Rahne after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Harrisonburg, Va. Credit: AP/Mike Caudill
Old Dominion (4-5) at No. 25 Liberty (9-0), Saturday at 1 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Line: Liberty by 13½, according to FanDuel Sportsbook
Series record: Liberty leads 3-1.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
The Flames, already the regular season champions in Conference USA, seek the third 10-win season in program history. They also won 10 in 2008 and 2020. The Monarchs need two victories to become bowl eligible and have three games to get there.
KEY MATCHUP
Liberty's running game against the Monarchs defense. The Flames rank No. 2 nationally in rushing offense (283.3 ypg) and are coming off three straight 300-plus yard performances. Liberty needs 65 rushing yards to break the program single-season record set in 2003. The Monarchs allow 160 rushing yards per game and will need to be better than that to force Liberty to become one-dimensional.
James Madison safety Jarius Reimonenq (7) celebrates with teammates Jacob Thomas (27) and Taurus Jones (0) after breaking up an Old Dominion pass on third down during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Harrisonburg, Va. Credit: AP/Mike Caudill
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Old Dominion: LB Jason Henderson. He led the nation in tackles last season and his average of 15.7 stops per game again leads the nation. The Flames will try to find ways to mitigate his impact, but he seems to be in the right place much of the time.
Liberty: QB Kaidon Salter, a three-time CUSA Offensive Player of the Week, is one of five QBs ranked among the nation’s top 10 for passing efficiency and passing TDs. The others are LSU’s Jayden Daniels, Oregon’s Bo Nix, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams of USC. The Flames running game is stout, but so is Salter.
FACTS & FIGURES
Liberty first-year coach Jamey Chadwell is the first Flames coach to start his tenure with nine consecutive wins. ... The Flames have won the last three meetings, but Chadwell is 0-1 against ODU, losing 49-21 last year at Coastal Carolina. ... Liberty ranks No. 1 nationally in three statistical categories, including interceptions (16), fewest tackles for loss allowed per game (2.89) and most passing yards/completion (17.18 by Salter). ... The Monarchs have played eight games decided by one score or less, most in the nation. They are 4-4 in those games. ... Liberty is the second unbeaten team the Monarchs have faced in the last three weeks. They lost 30-27 at No. 21 James Madison on Oct. 28
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