Liberty (1-2, 0-1 CUSA) dropped a second straight game with a 23-13 loss at Bowling Green (2-1) on Saturday evening at Doyt L. Perry Stadium in Bowling Green, Ohio. Similar to last week, the Flames were unable to overcome three first half turnovers and two penalties that took touchdowns off the board.

Miscues prove costly. Again.

In last week’s loss at Jacksonville State, it was primarily the team’s miscues that cost the team the game. This week at Bowling Green, it was more of the same. Liberty had two interceptions, two lost fumbles, two turnovers on downs, two touchdowns taking off the board due to penalties, and a missed penalty. No team can overcome all of those errors and win a game on the road against a capable opponent, and Liberty certainly isn’t a good enough team at this point to overcome all of those errors.

It’s not like there is one or two people to blame for any of these errors, it’s pretty much across the board. The coaching staff and team will have to get back to the drawing board in practice and film study this week to try and figure out a way to drastically reduce these mistakes.

Offense unable to sustain drives.

Last week, Liberty’s offense put up over 500 yards of offense. The Flames weren’t able to score when it got into scoring position, finishing the game with only 24 points. This week, the offense was unable to consistently move the ball to sustain drives and put points on the board. Whether it was turnovers, penalties, or negative plays that thwarted the drives, the offense was unable to find a rhythm.

The offense finished with 332 yards of offense with 138 of those coming on the ground at a 3.6 yards per carry clip. The Flames were 13 of 25 passing for 194 yards with two interceptions. The offensive line was unable to consistently generate a push up front in the run or pass game. It greatly affected the team’s ability to move the ball.

Team has major questions moving forward.

There are a lot of questions for this team moving forward. Dropping to 1-2 and even coming off the win over Maine in the season opener where the game was tied at 7 in the fourth quarter, the team has not been good enough so far this season. There have been flashes of the potential the team has, but it has been inconsistent. The only thing the Flames have been consistent at is being inconsistent and hurting itself.

Liberty has lost each of its last two games, both of which the team was favored in, and against teams with first year head coaches. These are also teams that Liberty beat just two seasons ago during the special 2023 campaign.

Can this team get it turned around? Can this team be competitive in the next two games against good Sun Belt foes? Can Liberty get to bowl eligibility? What needs to be fixed for things to begin turning around?

Turning Point

With Liberty trailing 13-7 early in the 4th quarter, Bowling Green’s Jackson Kleather knocked home a 50-yard field goal. The kick made it a two possession game for a Liberty offense that didn’t have much success moving the ball all day.

Player of the Game

Jackson Kleather: On a day where both offense’s struggled to consistently move the ball, it was the Bowling Green kicker who was perfect on his three field goals, helping the home team extend the lead and send the homecoming crowd home happy.

What They Said

“We have to do a better job. You can’t win any game when you turn the ball over five times and have the number of penalties we had. We have to be able to play better. My job is to get us to play better. We are not playing to the level this team is capable of right now, for whatever reason, and that’s on me. I’ve got to figure out how to get that fixed,” said head coach Jamey Chadwell.

Up Next

Liberty returns home for the first time since the season opener, taking on James Madison next Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on ESPNU. The Dukes are currently 1-1 on the season after opening the year with a 45-10 win over Weber State and a 28-14 loss at Louisville before having an open date this week.