Liberty hits the road for a second straight week as the Flames head to Ohio to take on Bowling Green on Saturday, September 13 from Bowling Green, Ohio for homecoming. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET and will be carried on ESPN+.

After six years as head coach at Bowling Green and three straight bowl trips to finish his career, Scot Loeffler moved on to the NFL as QB Coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. Former All-Pro, Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George was hired in March to take over the reins in Bowling Green. George comes in from Tennessee State where he led them to their first playoff berth since 2013 and first conference title since 1999. Taking over a team that averaged three wins per year in the immediate history prior to him, George had Tennessee State posting consecutive winning seasons, including a 9-win mark last year.

Drew Pyne is the starting quarterback for the Falcons and George. On his fourth Division I school, Pyne is 9-3 as a starter over his previous stops. He started his career at Notre Dame (2020-22) then transferred to Arizona State (2023) before playing at Missouri last year. He returned to Notre Dame for a semester after ASU in order to graduate from the school. Pyne has had some success so far this season. Just last week at Cincinnati, he was 29 for 36 passing with 274 yards and a touchdown. On the season, he has completed 75.9% of his 54 passes for 383 yards, and a touchdown. The Falcons haven’t turned the ball over so far this season. He’s not much of a rushing threat as he has -16 yards on the ground through the first two games.

It’s been a balanced rushing attack for Bowling Green early in 2025. Three backs have split the bulk of the carries, with Cameron Pettaway leading the way with 21 carries for 107 yards. Pettaway is also the team’s kick returner, and he returned the opening kickoff of the season for a touchdown. Jyrin Johnson is the top receiver. He has 8 catches for 102 yards and a touchdown on the season with 7 for 80 and the score coming this past week in the loss to Cincinatti.

Through the first two games, Bowling Green is averaging 23 points, 127.5 yards rushing, and 191.5 yards passing.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Falcons are holding teams to 20.5 points, 82.5 yards rushing, and 225.5 yards passing each game. Brandon Fisher, the son of former NFL head coach Jeff Fisher, is Bowling Green’s first-year defensive coordinator, a position he held at Tennessee State under George for the prior four seasons. Dorian Pringle leads the team with 20 tackles and four tackles for a loss. Gideon ESPN Lampron (yes, that’s his real middle name) is second on the team with 15 tackles and three tackles for loss.

The Falcons have a very capable kicker as Jackson Kleather was a perfect 4 for 4 on his field goals in the season opener, including a 56-yarder which is tied for second in program history for longest field goal.

Bowling Green opened the Eddie George era with a 26-7 win over Lafayette. This past Saturday, they played in-state Power Four opponent Cincinnati. The Falcons trailed 21-0 late in the first half and then 24-3 late in the third quarter before attempting to mount a comeback, ultimately losing, 34-20.

Previous Meeting

  • September 2, 2023: Liberty 34, Bowling Green 24
  • Series: Tied, 1-1

Key Players to Watch

  • Drew Pyne (QB)
  • Cameron Pettaway (RB/KR)
  • Dorian Pringle (LB)
  • Gideon ESPN Lampron (LB)
  • MJ Cannon (DB)

Bowling Green Recent/Upcoming Schedule & Results

  • August 28: Bowling Green 26, Lafayette 7
  • September 6: Cincinnati 34, Bowling Green 20
  • September 13: vs Liberty
  • September 20: @ Louisville