TODAY’S GAME

ROBERT RAHIMI, S

LIBERTY STORYLINES

1) Liberty (6-1) will play host to fellow FBS Independent BYU (4-3) at Williams Stadium for the first time on Saturday in a nationally televised matchup on ESPNU.

2) Winners of four in a row, the Flames will seek their first-ever victory over BYU this afternoon. The Cougars held off Liberty in Provo 31-24 in the teams’ inaugural meeting on Nov. 9, 2019.

3) Liberty’s 21-20 Homecoming win over Gardner-Webb last Saturday made the Flames bowl eligible for the fourth straight season. Liberty joined Marshall and Appalachian State as the only teams to secure bowl eligibility during each of their first four seasons after moving up from FCS to FBS football.

4) Liberty’s defense ranks No. 1 nationally in takeaways (18), No. 2 in sacks per game (4.0), and No. 2 in tackles for a loss per game (9.1). The Flames intercepted three passes, recorded five sacks, and established a season high with 13 TFLs last week vs. Gardner-Webb.

5) RB Dae Dae Hunter rushed for 70 of his team-high 76 yards during the fourth quarter last Saturday, including the game-winning one-yard score with 10:11 to play. The first-year Flame is just 54 yards shy of 1,500 for his career entering the week.

“4 DOWNS” WITH BYU

1) Today, BYU becomes the first team from Utah to visit Williams Stadium. The Flames will be seeking their first-ever victory over the Cougars. This season, Liberty has already recorded its inaugural triumph against one opponent (Akron). 2) Saturday’s game will match the only two FBS Independents with records above .500 at this point of the season. All seven of Liberty’s victories against FBS Independents have come against two teams (UMass — 4 and New Mexico State — 3). Liberty is receiving votes in both Top 25 polls for the first time since Sept. 19, 2021.

3) Liberty has won its first three home games of the season, improving to 18-3 at Williams Stadium under Hugh Freeze and 23-4 since joining the FBS ranks in 2018. Johnathan Bennett improved to 3-0 as Liberty’s starting QB last Saturday, throwing for a career-high 222 yards against Gardner-Webb. The Flames have used three different starting quarterbacks this season (Charlie Brewer, Kaidon Salter, and Johnathan Bennett) for the first time since 2005 (Brock Farrel, Zach Terrell, and Brock Smith).

4) The Flames are appearing on ESPNU at home for the fourth time in program history and the first time since Nov. 20, 2021, vs. Louisiana. Liberty’s first-ever appearance on the network came on Nov. 9, 2019, at BYU.

MILESTONE WATCH

2: WR Demario Douglas has recorded a pair of games with two TD receptions this season (at Southern Miss and at Wake Forest). If he catches a pair of TD passes on Saturday, Douglas will become the first Flame with three games of 2+ receiving TDs in a single season since Antonio Gandy-Golden (3 in 2018).

5: S Robert Rahimi’s next interception will be No. 5 of the season. The last Flame with five picks in a year was Tyrin Holloway, who intercepted five passes in 2016. Rahimi’s four interceptions this season are the most by a Flame at the FBS level.

40/54: RB Dae Dae Hunter needs 40 rushing yards to set a new career high of 652 yards in a season, eclipsing the 651 yards he posted for Hawaii a year ago. Hunter is 54 yards away from rushing for 1,500 yards 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”