TRANSFER PORTAL OPT-OUTS

Like nearly every team this time of the year, Liberty has had several players enter the transfer portal since the end of the 2023 regular season. Those players are QB Johnathan Bennett, DB Preston Hodge, DT Kendy Charles, DB Jaylon Jimmerson, DE Bryan Whitehead, DT Tysheik Galloway, LB Jordan Norwood, and DL Amari Williams.

Bennett, Liberty’s backup quarterback all season, has opted out of the Fiesta Bowl and will not play, Liberty head coach Jamey Chadwell has stated. Trey Lowe will serve as the Flames’ backup quarterback while Nate Hampton will be third string.

Preston Hodge, a starting defensive back for the Flames, has also opted out since committing to Colorado, Chadwell said. True freshman Christian Bodnar, who redshirted this season, is expected to see significant playing time in Hodge’s absence.

Kendy Charles, who has been fighting through injuries much of the season, is hopeful to play for the Flames in the Fiesta Bowl, but his status is in doubt as he continues to fight back from injury. He has made the trip and is with the team in Arizona.

“Kendy is trying to get back to play,” said Chadwell. “There is a chance for him to. I’m not saying there’s a great chance, but there’s a small chance if the rehab continues to go well with no setbacks. He is working towards that right now, to try to get cleared to play. That’s the plan, to try to clear him to play.”

Bryan Whitehead is not expected to play in the bowl game. He was a second string defensive end for the Flames this season.

DB Jaylon Jimmerson and DT Tysheik Galloway are both second string players for Liberty this year. Jimmerson did make the trip and should play for the Flames.

Amari Williams and Jordan Norwood have not been a part of Liberty’s two-deep this season and their status for the Fiesta Bowl is uncertain at this time.

LIBERTY LOOKING FOR 2ND EVER WIN  OVER FBS TOP 25 TEAM

The Flames will be looking to record the program’s second ever win over an FBS ranked top 25 team. Liberty is 1-4 all-time against FBS Top 25 teams currently, iwth its lone ranked win to date coming in the 2020 Cure Bowl. Liberty defeated No. 9 Coastal Carolina (and current head coach Jamey Chadwell), 37-34 in overtime, for its only previous win over a Top 25 opponent.

The Flames played one top 25 team when an FCS member, losing to No. 23 North Carolina to open the 2014 season, 56-29. Since moving to the FBS, Liberty has played four teams ranked in the Top 25, including the win over Coastal. To open the 2019 season, Liberty fell to No. 22 Syracuse, 24-0. In 2021, Liberty faced two top 25 teams in Ole Miss and Louisiana. On Nov. 6, 2021, the Flames lost to No. 15 Ole Miss, 27-14. On Nov. 20, 2021, Liberty lost to No. 21 Louisiana, 42-14.

Jamey Chadwell is 2-1 all-time against FBS Top 25 teams and is aiming for his third Top 25 victory. His only loss to a nationally ranked FBS team came to then No. 23 Liberty in the 2020 Cure Bowl.

INJURY REPORT

Liberty is close to being back to full strength. Wide receiver Treon Sibley, tight end Bentley Hanshaw, and running back Vaughn Blue were all back in action for the Flames the last couple of games. Brylan Green is also back. LB Jerome Jolly missed the CUSA Championship Game with a hamstring injury but is expected to play in the Fiesta Bowl. Kendy Charles may be the only one that is on the injury report that is questionable.

It is not expected that Brendan Schlittler will play in the Fiesta Bowl.