Liberty (1-4, 0-1 CUSA) dropped a fourth straight game with a 21-7 loss at Old Dominion (3-1, 0-0 Sun Belt) on Saturday night in Norfolk, Virginia. The Flames are 1-4 for the first time at the FBS level and the first time since the 2012 campaign when Liberty dropped its first four games of the Turner Gill era.

The rain was the story pregame and early on before the Monarchs finally got on the scoreboard midway through the second quarter. They overcame three turnovers inside the 10-yard line in the first half and four total turnovers in the win.

Monarchs overcome 4 turnovers, 0/5 in red zone

Old Dominion dominated this game much more than the final score indicated. The Liberty defense forced three red zone turnovers and had four total takeaways on the night. ODU, entering the game as the only team in the country to score a touchdown on every single red zone possession this season, failed to score on five red zone trips. In addition to the three turnovers inside the 10, the Monarchs also had a missed field goal and took a knee to end the game from inside the red zone.

The Monarchs dominated the rest of the stat sheet. They had 489 yards of total offense compared to 210 yards from Liberty. Old Dominion had 271 yards passing and 218 yards rushing, compared to the Flames’ 77 passing yards and 133 rushing yards. This final score could have been much worse than it was for the Flames.

Mounting injuries too much for Liberty offense

Liberty entered the game with quarterback Ethan Vasko questionable after suffering an injury late in the first half of last week’s loss to James Madison. He was unable to play, and, with backup quarterback Ryan Burger forced to medically retire just ahead of the season opener, the Flames are technically down to their third and fourth string quarterbacks in Michael Merdinger and Ethan Houck. Starting left tackle Trey Bedosky has also missed the last three games due to injury, while running back Vaughn Blue has been injured much of the season and did not play against ODU. Early in the second quarter, starting running back Evan Dickens went down to injury and did not return. While injuries are part of the game, these mounting injuries were far too much for the Flames to overcome against a good Old Dominion team.

Liberty’s first two offensive drives on Saturday night against the Monarchs were 16 plays for 47 yards. The Flames reached  ODU territory on both but were unable to come away with any points including a 46-yard missed Jay Billingsley field goal. On the third drive, Dickens was injured. The team’s final five offensive drives of the first half were 16 plays for -16 yards. It led to Liberty being outgained in the first half, 274-71.

For a second straight week, the Flames barely had a passing threat. Making his first career start, Merdinger was 6 of 11 passing for 77 yards. He picked up 53 yards on one play on a deep pass to Donte Lee. That connection set up Liberty’s only scoring drive of the game, a four-yard run by Juju Gray. Houck only attempted one pass which resulted in an interception. Dickens had 10 rushes for 33 yards before leaving the game due to injury. Caden Williams ran the ball 18 times for 85 yards.

Flames can’t create positive momentum

Liberty won the coin toss and, in an unusual decision, elected to receive the opening kickoff. Head coach Jamey Chadwell said after the game it was an effort to help the team get a jump start with some positive momentum. Juju Gray sparked that momentum with an opening 54-yard kickoff return as Liberty opened the game in Old Dominion territory. Primarily behind Evan Dickens on the ground, the Flames were able to pick up a first down and move inside the 30-yard line. Facing a 3rd and 7, Merdinger’s second pass of the game was incomplete, intended for Reese Smith. Jay Billingsley then missed his 46-yard field goal attempt. Momentum thwarted.

On the team’s second drive, Liberty reached the Monarchs 32-yard line before two penalties pushed the team back towards midfield. The drive resulted in a punt. From there, Old Dominion would seize control of the game as they took the lead and never relinquished it.

The Flames attempted to seize the momentum in the second half as the team had crawled back out of the 14-0 hole to cut the lead to one possession and had the ball. Moving into ODU territory, Liberty’s Ethan Houck was unable to pick up the first down on a 4th and 2. It ended any attempt at momentum the team had. The Monarchs took advantage, striking quickly to take a two score lead and put the Flames away.

For the game, Liberty finished with three turnovers and had a missed field goal, as well as 10 penalties for 70 yards. The self-inflicted wounds and being unable to capitalize on opportunities have plagued this team all season.

Turning Point

Liberty fought back from a 14-0 deficit to cut the ODU lead to 14-7 late in the third quarter. The Flames had the ball and had crossed midfield into Old Dominion territory as the clock ticked into the fourth quarter. Facing a 3rd and 4 at the ODU 47, Merdinger was able to escape the Monarchs rush and picked up two yards on the keeper. Following a timeout, Ethan Houck came onto the field to face the 4th and 2. The true freshman kept the ball, as he rushed forward to try and pick up the first down. He was right at the down marker and the officials called for the measurement. Houck was ruled to have come up short of the first down, causing a turnover on downs. Two plays later, ODU extended the lead to two scores and Liberty never threatened again.

Player of the Game

Colton Joseph: The ODU quarterback completed 18 of his 26 passes for 271 yards, 3 touchdowns, and an interception. He also rushed 15 times for 76 yards.

What They Said

“It’s the same story, different record, so to speak. As bad as we’re playing, we’re not playing good, as bad as we’re playing, we have some opportunities to beat some good teams in the 4th quarter. We’re just not good enough to overcome beating ourselves.,” said head coach Jamey Chadwell.

Up Next

Liberty has concluded it’s non-conference schedule and now prepares for seven straight Conference USA games. The Flames do have an open date next Saturday as the team transitions to the midweek for a pair of October contests. Liberty returns to the field on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at UTEP in El Paso, Texas. Kickoff is scheduled at 8 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network. The Miners are currently 1-3 on the season ahead of their conference opener tonight at home against Louisiana Tech.

*photo courtesy Liberty University Athletics