Preview of the Liberty Flames vs Old Dominion Monarchs

'Williams Stadium Expansion' Photo Credit: Christian Eberle via Flickr

This Saturday brings an intriguing matchup between the Liberty Flames and Old Dominion Monarchs in a battle between in-state foes. Let's preview the matchup between the Flames and Monarchs. The Flames look to remain one of the last undefeated teams in the nation as they host the Monarchs. Currently ranked 25th in the nation (AP poll), the Flames look to cement themselves into the discussion for the bowl season having already secured a spot in the Conference USA championship game. As for the Monarchs, they are still seeking their eligibility for a bowl game as they currently sit at 4-5 (3-3 conference). Knocking Liberty from the ranks of the undefeated would certainly help that.

Broadcast Info:

Location/Venue: Lynchburg, Va @ Williams Stadium

Time/Date: Saturday, the 11th of November @ 1 pm EST

TV: ESPN +

On the call: Matt Warner & Joe Jauch

Liberty Radio: LFSN RADIO LIVE

Old Dominion Radio: Sports Radio 94.1 ESPN

Players to watch - Liberty Flames

Liberty enters on the brink of tying a school record for victories from 2008 and 2020. This year the team is headlined by the running game of Quinton Cooley who is 10th in the nation in rushing with 981 yards and nine touchdowns. Overall the Flames rank second in the nation with an average of 283 yards per game. Quarterback Kaidon Salter has led the passing attack for the Flames completing just under 60% of his passes for 1,959 yards and 23 touchdowns on the season. CJ Daniels and Treon Sibley have helped lead the offense as the top targets for Salter. Defensively, linebacker Tyren Dupree is fourth in Conference USA with 82 tackles. In the secondary, safety Brylan Green and corner Kobe Singleton are tied for the conference lead in interceptions with four.

Players to watch - Old Dominion Monarchs

The Monarchs of Old Dominion have been led on defense by standout linebacker Jason Henderson, who currently leads the nation in tackles with 139, and leads the team in sacks with six. Safeties Ryan Ramey and Shawn Asbury roam the secondary to find ways to disrupt the offense, with Asbury able to play in the box to help against the run as well. On offense, the Monarchs are led by quarterback Grant Wilson, who has completed 59% of his passes for 1,475 yards and 13 scores on the year. Working with Wilson has been running back Keshawn Wicks who has averaged 5.5 yards a carry and four scores on the season.

Prediction - Flames v Monarch

While Liberty has been on a roll this season, this game comes down to the defense for the Monarchs who are 4-4 this season in one-score games. Henderson is poised for another monster game (22 tackles last week vs Coastal Carolina). The defense for the Monarchs will have to play well on all levels to prevent the Flames offense from running wild. Similarly, the defense for the Flames will have to work to minimize the impact of the passing game of the Monarchs. The Flames' Kobe Singleton covering Kelby Williams of the Monarchs should be fun to watch. Prediction - The Monarchs do keep it close but drop to 4-5 in one-score games losing by seven to the Flames.