In what marks the Flames’ first test of the season and the Black Bears’ biggest opportunity to turn heads, Liberty will look to assert its FBS dominance and start the train moving towards another championship push.

Game Overview

  • Matchup: Liberty Flames (FBS, C-USA) vs Maine Black Bears (FCS, CAA)
  • Date & Time: Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Williams Stadium, Lynchburg, Virginia. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
  • Series History: Tied 1-1. Liberty won the previous matchup, 59-44, in 2019.

Preview of the Black Bears

Stability is a running theme coming out of training camp and the off-season in Orono. Maine enters this matchup riding a layer of continuity with both offensive and defensive coordinators return, along with head coach Jordan Stevens and starting quarterback Carter Peevy. Stevens is in his fourth season leading Maine, with a 9-25 overall record. He helped right the ship last year with a 5-7 mark following two disappointing 2-9 campaigns. Stevens, 38, is at his alma mater, where he played as a defensive end from 2006 to 2009. He then began his coaching career at Maine where he coached the defensive line before a stint at Yale.

Peevy, the signal caller tossed for 2,422 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. Some of his primary weapons also return like receivers Molayo Irefin and Nick Laughlin. The offense is also buoyed by some key additions including Harvard transfer Scott Woods who should be able to impact the game both at receiver and as a returner.

Defensively, Maine has to rebuild after major departures. This team struggled to stop the run in the FCS ranks a season ago, and that facet of the game will certainly be tested against one of the nation’s top rushing offenses in the FBS in each of the past two seasons. Senior linebacker Christian Thomas and defensive back Devin Vaught provides some experience, but depth remains a question despite adding players from the transfer portal. Corner Corey Wilson (from Hampton) and others are expected to help fill gaps in the secondary.

Maine comes in with its offensive engine intact, anchored by Peevy and a returning core of playmakers, plus a talented new receiver. Defensive cohesion is a question. They will be looking to make a statement in the season opener against an FBS opponent eyeing a conference championship and perhaps more.

“We did take a step forward last year and that was shown culturally,” Stevens said. “Talent-wise, we continued to improve our roster and with the character of the guys here, we improved in the classroom and that showed on the field. We fully believe we will be taking that next step this year. We have an expectation to improve and continue to be competitive with the top half of our conference and compete for championships.”

Coach Chadwell on the Black Bears

“Like anybody, when you are playing a game first now, you don’t really know who is on anybody’s roster because all the different movement stuff. I think that will be the challenge for us on game day. You have a depth chart, but trying to find video on all the different stuff on people has been hard. I think our guys have prepared well. I think they are ready to go finally play somebody else. I’m looking forward to seeing us go out and compete.”

“In the old days, you could go online and look up all the newspapers and get all the articles. Now everything’s behind a (paywall). You can’t get the things of that nature. I think it is more challenging, especially the first game of the year because there is less (known). At least the coach has been there, so you have an idea of what they do. Coach has been there, so you’ve seen what they’ve done on offense and defense. At least you have an idea of what they’re going to try and do structurally. Now you just got to figure out what the players are, who they’ve got in what spot. That will take a little while to figure out once the game kicks off. I think we have an idea of where they’re going to be and what their systems are.”

Prediction

Spread: Liberty -25.5

My forecast: Liberty 37, Maine 14