TODAY’S GAME

Demario Douglas, WR

STORYLINES

1) Liberty (1-0) will unveil a remodeled Williams Stadium on Saturday, welcoming UAB (1-0, 0-0 C-USA) to town for the Flames’ home opener. 2) Liberty topped the Blazers 36-12 last season in Birmingham in the first-ever meeting between the two teams. Both squads won bowl games a year ago, with the Flames triumphing in the LendingTree Bowl and the Blazers taking home the Independence Bowl trophy. 3) Liberty is 17-2 in its last 19 home openers and looks to start 2-0 for the third consecutive season.

4) The Flames’ 29-27 season-opening win at Southern Miss required four overtimes, the most in program history. Redshirt freshman Kaidon Salter, Liberty’s third quarterback to play in the game, threw a game-tying TD pass to Demario Douglas with 36 seconds left in regulation and then the game-tying two-point conversion to Jerome Jackson in the fourth OT.

5) Liberty’s defense forced five turnovers (three interceptions and two fumble recoveries) against the Golden Eagles, the first time in a decade that the Flames have forced five miscues in a game.

HALL OF FAME WEEKEND

The 14th class of inductees to the Liberty Athletics Hall of Fame will be recognized during Saturday’s game. This year’s class includes Jacob Swinton (Men’s Track & Field), Jose Gomez (Men’s Soccer), Jessica Moore (Softball), Glenn Inverso (Football), Paul Wetmore (Softball Coach), and Natalie [Barr] Lyttle (Field Hockey). For more information, see page 103.

“4 DOWNS” WITH UAB

1) Today’s game is the first contest at the newly remodeled Williams Stadium. Last season, the Flames won 36-12 in UAB’s first-ever game at Protective Stadium, Oct. 2, 2021. UAB is Liberty’s only Conference USA opponent this season after the Flames faced seven C-USA foes during the last two years. Liberty will join C-USA in 2023, while UAB is leaving for the American Athletic Conference.

2) This is Bryant Vincent’s second game as UAB’s interim head coach. The Blazers are the first of six opponents on Liberty’s 2022 schedule with new head coaches this season (also Akron, New Mexico State, UConn, UMass, and VirginiaTech).

3) UAB is the first of three opponents that Liberty will face this season coming off bowl victories a year ago, along with Arkansas and Wake Forest. UAB is one of three teams Liberty will attempt to defeat for a second straight season (also Old Dominion and UMass).

4) Liberty aims to start 2-0 for the third year in a row, while UAB is seeking its first 2-0 start in three years. The Flames kicked off their season by playing the longest game in program history, a four-overtime contest at Southern Miss that took approximately four hours to complete. Meanwhile, UAB took control of its season-opening matchup with Alabama A&M early, scoring four TDs during the first quarter.

MILESTONE WATCH

2: Playing his second game as a sophomore, WR Demario Douglas is two catches away from 100 for his career. He recorded his first multiple touchdown game as a Flame last Saturday, hauling in two TDs, including a late game-tying score, at Southern Miss.

75: RB Shedro Louis needs 75 more rushing yards to reach 1,000 for his career. He recorded a team-high 13 carries for 55 yards during the season opener at Southern Miss. Louis has posted two 100-yard rushing games in his career.

VAN WAGNER AD

CLEAR BAG POLICY

In an effort to enhance fan safety and expedite entrance to Williams Stadium, Liberty University has implemented a security screening process that includes a clear bag policy. This initiative limits the size and types of bags that can be brought into the stadium by fans. Only clear tote bags that do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12,” 1-gallon plastic freezer bags, and small handheld clutch purses (no larger than 4.5” x 6.5”) will be allowed into Williams Stadium. Liberty Athletics encourages guests to arrive at least 60 minutes prior to kickoff to avoid lines and enjoy the pregame, in-stadium activities.

ACCEPTABLE BAGS

12”

6” 12” 6.5”

4.5”