We continue our series of an early look ahead to the teams on Liberty’s 2025 schedule. We will give a quick preview of all 12 teams that stand in the Flames’ way of another bowl trip and potentially a second CUSA championship as third-year head coach Jamey Chadwell prepares his team for the upcoming season.

Today, we look at Week 5 on the schedule as the Flames conclude its non-conference schedule with a short trek across the state to take on Old Dominion.

Old Dominion

• When: Saturday, Sep. 27 at S.B. Ballard Stadium in Norfolk (Time & TV TBD)
• Last year’s record: 5-7, 4-4 Sun Belt (t-3rd East)
• Coach: Ricky Rahne, fifth year at ODU
• 2025 SP+ ranking: 103
• Series History: Liberty leads, 4-1

Last Meeting: Nov. 11, 2023: Liberty 38, ODU 10

The Flames dominated the visiting Monarchs from the onset, jumping out to a 28-0 lead midway through the second quarter and 35-3 lead at halftime. Liberty outgained the visitors, 455-280 yards. Kaidon Salter accounted for five touchdowns, three through the air while running for two more. Quinton Cooley rushed for 85 yards while CJ Daniels posted his sixth career 100-yard game and fifth of the 2023 season. Liberty improved to 10-0 with the win.

Program History:

National Championships: 0

Conference Championships: 0

Bowl Record: 1-2

Last Bowl Appearance: 2023: L, 38-35 (OT) vs Western Kentucky in the Famous Toastery Bowl

Ricky Rahne is confident he has his most talented team in his time at Old Dominion this season. The Monarchs return three starting offensive linemen as well as their starting quarterback, Colton Joseph. In nine games played last season, Joseph completed 133 of 222 passes for 1,627 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions.

ODU loses their top two running backs and will turn to returners Devin Roche (10 gp, 43 rushes for 274 yards, 2 TDs in 2024) and Maurki James (redshirted in 2024) as well as Georga Military College transfer Trequan Jones (6.7 ypc, 7 TDs in 2024). The biggest question mark for the team is likely at wide receiver, but Old Dominion was very aggressive in the off-season looking to shore up that position with the addition of four JUCO transfers and two transfers from Power Four schools.

On defense, the Monarchs return three of their top four tacklers from a season ago and also return linebacker Jason Henderson. He missed the 2024 season with an ACL injury, but Henderson was named an all-American in both 2022 and 2023. The Monarchs should be a contender in the East Division of the Sun Belt this season.

What’s at Stake?

Liberty has dominated this series since moving to the FBS, winning four straight against their in-state G5 brethren with the closest margin being 14 points. The others were decided by 28, 28, and 42. The Flames will be looking to keep that dominance against the Monarchs and pick up another win against a Sun Belt foe.

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