Liberty opens its 2025 campaign on Saturday, August 30 at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, hosting the Maine Black Bears. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
Competing in the CAA Football Conference, Maine enters the season under fourth-year head coach Jordan Stevens. After consecutive 2-9 seasons to begin his career at his alma mater, Stevens helped guide Maine to a 5-7 finish and 3-5 mark in conference play in 2024, their best showing since 2021. Expectations for continued improvement remains despite being picked ninth out of fourteen teams in the preseason CAA poll. Maine is returning their head coach, both offensive and defensive coordinators, and their starting quarterback as they look to build off last year’s 5-win campaign.
Returning at the helm of the offense is graduate senior QB Cater Peevy, who threw for 2,422 yards, 18 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 2024, ranking among the top CAA quarterbacks. Top returning receivers include Molayo Irefin, Nick Laughlin, and Trevin Ewing, who combined for 51 receptions and 670 yards in 2024. Supplementing the corps is Harvard grad transfer Scott Woods (52 rec, 547 yards, 3 TDs) who is also dangerous as a return specialist.
The defense took harder hits in terms of departures. Returning linebacker Christian Thomas (63 tackles, 1.5 sacks) anchors the defense. He was the third-leading tackler on the team last season. The depth on the defensive line is largely untested. Senior DB Devin Vaught returns after leading the team with three interceptions. Jamaree Gibson also returns after adding a highlight-reel 78-yard pick six last year. Maine added Corey Wilson via the portal from Hampton to help deepen the backfield.
Previous Meeting
- October 19, 2019: Liberty 59, Maine 44
Key Players to Watch
- Carter Peevy (QB)
- Scott Woods (WR/Returner)
- Christian Thomas (LB)
- Devin Vaught (DB)
- Jamaree Gibson (DB)
Maine Recent/Upcoming Schedule & Results
- August 30: @ Liberty
- September 6: @ William & Mary
- September 13: vs Stonehill
I really don’t like the use of the word ‘ENEMY’ in this context. Enemy implies some form of hatred leading to violence. Maine might rightfully be called our ‘opponent’ or ‘adversary,’ but the word ‘enemy’ is too strong a term and does not reflect our outlook as Christians toward others.
I see where you’re coming from, Jim, but “know your enemy” is an idiom used in sports