No. 25 Liberty stays unbeaten with 49-25 win over UMass

Faculty Sports activities

UMass’ two-game successful streak ended on Saturday afternoon.

By BEN CATES, Related Press

November 18, 2023 | 6:27 PM

LYNCHBURG, Va. (AP) — Kaidon Salter threw for 225 yards, rushed for 118 and accounted for 4 touchdowns Saturday as No. 25 Liberty defeated UMass 49-25.

Salter averaged higher than 20 yards per move whereas finishing 11 of 16. He tossed touchdowns of 13 of 5 yards to Austin Henderson and scored on runs of 1 and 12 yards.

The Flames (11-0) struck early, scoring on 4 straight first-half drives to take a 28-0 lead.

Taisun Phommachanh threw for 239 yards on 22-of-38 passing for UMass (3-8), however Liberty intercepted him twice. Preston Hodge had a 62-yard pick-six within the third quarter to offer Liberty a 42-10 lead.

Quinton Cooley, who ran for 102 yards, broke unfastened for a 60-yard landing within the first quarter, bowling over a defender on the line of scrimmage, hurdling one other as he entered the open area and working untouched down the sideline for a 21-point lead.

Liberty, which entered the sport averaging a Bowl Subdivision-best 278 yards speeding per recreation, ran for 324.

THE TAKEAWAY

Liberty: The Flames set a program report for wins and may end its first excellent common season with a victory subsequent week.

UMass: The Minutemen, which had received its earlier two video games, have yet another probability to achieve the four-win mark for less than the third time since they joined the FBS in 2012.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Liberty is poised to maneuver up after occupying the No. 25 spot for 2 weeks.

“What we’ve bought to do is management what we will and hold successful and hold enjoying properly and let the dominos fall,” Liberty coach Jamey Chadwell mentioned when requested in regards to the group’s rating earlier within the week.

UP NEXT

UMass: Hosts UConn on Saturday.

Liberty: Visits UTEP on Saturday.