Riding a three-game losing skid, Liberty aims to get back in the win column this week at Old Dominion on Saturday, September 27. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET and will be carried on ESPN+.

The Flames have owned the series between these two programs since making the move to the FBS, winning four straight against the Monarchs, including Liberty’s first ever game as an FBS member in 2018. Liberty has won these four games by an average of 43.25-15.25.

Fifth year head coach Ricky Rahne is hoping to guide the Monarchs to its first winning season since 2016 and are coming off a 5-7 mark a season ago. Rahne has a 22-31 mark at ODU, including an impressive 2-1 start to the 2025 campaign. In the season opener, the Monarchs lost at Indiana, 27-14, which is actually an impressive score based on what the Hoosiers have done the rest of this season including a 63-10 win over top 25 Illinois. Following the opener, Old Dominion defeated North Carolina Central, 54-6, in their home opener and then put the final nails in the coffin of Brent Pry at Virginia Tech with a 45-26 trouncing in Blacksburg.

Redshirt-Sophomore Colton Joseph returns at quarterback for the Monarchs after making eight starts last year. So far this year, Joseph has completed 46 of 68 passes for 629 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. He also leads the team with 30 rushing attempts for 291 yards and 4 touchdowns. Trequan Jones is second on the team with 264 rushing yards and 4 scores, including a 93-yard scamper as he is averaging 14.7 yards per carry. Maurki James and Ke’Travion Hargrove also factor into the rushing attack for ODU. Ja’Cory Thomas, Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding, and Tre Brown have combined for 31 receptions for 469 yards and 4 touchdowns.

The Monarchs have a really solid offensive line that enters this week ranked 12th in the country in sacks allowed and 2nd in tackles for loss allowed. That front group has helped ODU to the 16th best rushing offense, averaging 245 yards rushing per game. The Monarchs are 30th in total offense (461.3) and 35th in scoring offense (37.7).

On defense, Old Dominion has the 51st ranked scoring defense (19.67) and 96th ranked total defense (390.7). They have struggled against the run, allowing 204 yards on the ground per game, which ranks 124th in all of FBS. Where the Monarchs have had some success on the defensive side of the ball is in creating some havoc, ranking 14th in tackles for loss with 24 in three games. They are also 10th in the country in red zone defense, holding opponents to scores on just 61.5% of their opportunities.

Defensive back Mario Easterly leads ODU in tackles with 26 this season to go along with one tackle for loss, one pass breakup, and one QB hurry. Linebacker Jeremy Mack, Jr. is second on the team with 21 tackles while leading the team in TFLs (3.5) and sacks (2). Defensive back Jerome Carter has 20 tackles and a team-leading two interceptions. An eye-dropping 17 different Monarchs have a tackle for loss this season.

Previous Meeting

  • November 11, 2023: Liberty 38, ODU 10
  • Series: Liberty leads, 4-1

Key Players to Watch

  • Colton Joseph (QB)
  • Trequan Jones (RB)
  • Jeremy Mack, Jr. (LB)
  • Jerome Carter (S)
  • Mario Easterly (S)

Old Dominion Recent/Upcoming Schedule & Results

  • August 30: #20 Indiana 27, ODU 14
  • September 6: ODU 54, NC Central 6
  • September 13: ODU 45, Virginia Tech 26
  • September 27: vs Liberty
  • October 4: vs Coastal Carolina