Liberty vs. Delaware: Flames seek 4th straight win
Liberty vs. Delaware opens Conference USA play for both teams Friday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. ET at Delaware Stadium in Newark, Delaware. Liberty (3-1) brings a three-game winning streak, while Delaware (2-2) tries to recover from a 42-3 loss at Virginia.
The Flames are 7.5-point favorites, according to ESPN. ESPN Analytics gives Liberty a 65.2% chance to win. The game airs on CBS Sports Network.
Liberty vs. Delaware game information
- Date: Friday, Oct. 2
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Venue: Delaware Stadium, Newark, Delaware
- TV: CBS Sports Network
- Line: Liberty by 7.5, per ESPN
How has Liberty played lately?
Liberty has won three straight since a 20-13 season-opening loss at James Madison: 24-23 over Gardner-Webb, 51-15 over Ball State and 34-17 at Coastal Carolina on Thursday, Sept. 24.
Against Coastal Carolina, the Flames trailed 17-10 at halftime before scoring 24 unanswered points in the second half, according to CBS Sports. Backup quarterback Ethan Vasko scored on a fourth-down sneak during that run.
Starting quarterback Deshawn Purdie went 11-for-16 for 216 yards and two touchdowns in that game, including a 58-yard catch-and-run score by Makai Jackson. On the season, Purdie has completed 47 of 80 passes for 779 yards and seven touchdowns without an interception, according to ESPN.
Running back Kam Davis ran for 166 yards against Coastal Carolina and has 310 yards and a touchdown on the year. Jackson leads the team with 379 receiving yards and five touchdowns on just 14 catches, a sign of how often Liberty has hit big plays through the air.
What has gone wrong for Delaware?
Delaware’s last two games show the gap between its ceiling and its floor. The Blue Hens beat Coastal Carolina 22-14 on Sept. 19, then lost 42-3 at Virginia on Sept. 26, according to ESPN. Their other results were a 42-7 win over Merrimack and a 35-26 loss at Vanderbilt.
Quarterback Nick Minicucci has thrown for 838 yards and five touchdowns with three interceptions. Running back Jo Silver has 205 yards on 45 carries, and receiver Sean Wilson leads the team with 292 receiving yards and three scores.
Who are the expected starters?
Purdie is expected to start at quarterback for Liberty, with Davis as the lead back and Jackson as the top target. Vasko could again factor into short-yardage packages.
For Delaware, Minicucci is projected to start at quarterback, with Silver as the lead rusher and Wilson as the top receiving option.
Key matchup in Liberty vs. Delaware
Liberty’s defense against Delaware’s passing game looks like the pivotal battle. The Flames have not allowed a fourth-quarter touchdown in four games this season, according to CBS Sports.
Minicucci will need to protect the football against a defense that has closed out games well. If Delaware’s offensive line gives him time, Wilson and the receivers can move the ball. If not, Liberty’s pattern of second-half surges could repeat itself.
What to watch
Liberty is trying to stretch its best run of the season to four games as conference play begins. Delaware, in its second season of FBS and Conference USA play, needs a rebound after the lopsided loss at Virginia.
The Liberty vs. Delaware winner gets an early edge in the league race. For more college football this weekend, read our North Texas at Tulsa preview and our WKU vs. New Mexico State preview, or visit our college football page.
Reporting from ESPN and CBS Sports contributed to this story.