In a game featuring the last two Conference USA champions and one that could have championship implications for this season, Jacksonville State (1-1, 1-0 CUSA) defeated Liberty (1-1, 0-1), 34-24, on Saturday afternoon in Jacksonville, Alabama.
“We had some opportunities in this game to win it and we beat ourselves on some plays,” said Liberty head coach Jamey Chadwell. “We had a chance to win this game and get off to a good start, but, unfortunately, we didn’t.”
Liberty dominated the stat sheet, finishing the game with 534 total offensive yards to Jax State’s 390 yards of total offense. The Flames also averaged 8.1 total offensive yards per play to the Gamecocks’ 6.3 average. It was a slow start from the Liberty offense and miscues throughout the game that affected the team in all phases that had the Flames playing catch up all day.
The Flames’ defense got a start on the opening drive of the possession, forcing a punt. On the team’s second offensive play of the game, quarterback Ethan Vasko was hit from behind and sacked, forcing the ball to be knocked free. He lost the fumble and Jax State recovered it in Liberty territory. Five plays later, the Gamecocks punched it into the end zone to take the early 7-0 lead.
On the ensuing kickoff, Juju Gray made a poor decision to return a kickoff from the one-yard line, as he got stopped on the five. The Flames then went three and out, but the defense held, forcing a Jax State three and out. The Flames’ offense then finally started to find some success, as Vasko completed three straight passes, the final one a pass down the sideline where he hit Gray in stride. The fast Liberty running back outraced the defense into the end zone to score from 72-yards out, tying the game.
Liberty’s defense forced another three and out, as they played very strong in the opening minutes of the game. With the offense finding some rhythm, the Flames moved into Jax State territory for the second straight drive, looking to take the lead. However, Vasko made a costly mistake, throwing into traffic and being intercepted. Set up with another short field, the Gamecocks capitalized and scored a second touchdown to get back in front, this time for good, at 14-7 early in the second quarter.
The Flames again moved the ball into scoring range, facing a 4th and 2 at the JSU 29. After a timeout, the Flames elected to go for it. In the goal line formation, Vasko looked like he was trying to hand the ball off to the running back. The ball was mishandled, the Liberty quarterback grabbed it and turned around to try and run for the yardage, only to be stopped in the backfield for the turnover on downs. After a one hour and twenty-one minute weather delay, the Gamecocks capitalized on the turnover on downs with a 33-yard drive that resulted in a 50-yard field goal to take a 17-7 lead.
To summarize, Liberty’s offense had numerous opportunities prior to the weather delay to take the lead and even seize control of the game. Two turnovers, a poor decision on a kick return, and a turnover on downs after miscommunication on the play call held the Flames back from taking the lead. During this time, the Liberty defense played its best football of the day, forcing punts on three of Jax State’s first four drives.
“We talked all week about getting off to a great start,” Chadwell said. “Then, you get the ball, they don’t score. We get a good play, we’re driving, and you get the turnover. We wanted to play from ahead, and we just couldn’t do that. I thought this game was going to come down to some turnovers, and we didn’t get any from them, that’s the end of the day.”
From that point on, Liberty was playing from behind, typically by two scores, and additional errors kept the team from drawing back even. A holding penalty wiped off a touchdown just before halftime and the Flames’ also missed a 27-yard field goal in the third quarter. The defense gave up explosive plays and allowed the Gamecocks to convert a first down after facing a 2nd and 20 in the fourth quarter, as they kept the Flames from getting the offense back on the field down by just one score.
On the flip side, Jacksonville State played a very clean game. They did not have any turnovers, only had one penalty, took advantage of the Liberty turnovers, and scored on all five trips to the red zone.
“A lot of self-inflicted things,” said Chadwell. “If we didn’t do, maybe this is a different outcome.”
Cam Cook, a TCU transfer, ran all over the Flames all day. His 29 carries went for 195 yards and 2 touchdowns. Quarterback Gavin Wimsatt added 78 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. The Gamecocks finished with 338 rushing yards on the day, outpacing the Flames who rushed for 199 yards as Liberty falls to 0-4 under Chadwell when being out-rushed by an opponent.
“Just disappointing,” said Chadwell. “I give a lot of credit to Jacksonville State. They played hard. The running back is a really, really good player. We couldn’t tackle him. We struggled to do that.”
The Gamecocks only had 52 passing yards, as Wimsatt completed just six of his 12 pass attempts on the game.
“You get them in some third and longs, that’s not what their offense is made of,” Chadwell said. “We allowed them to get out of it. You’re not going to win games that way.”
For the Flames, Vasko finished a very respectable 19 for 29 for 335 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He also rushed 13 times for 22 yards.
“He fought tooth and nail, but we’ve got to protect the ball,” said Chadwell of Vasko. “In the first half, the one interception was just a bad interception. He looked right at the guy. You’ve got to be able to look guys off. The first (turnover), having a better internal clock.”
Evan Dickens led the Flames with 114 rushing yards a touchdown on 13 carries. Caden Williams added 39 yards on the ground on eight carries.
Jamari Person led nine different players who had at least one reception for the Flames. The Colorado State transfer had four catches for 47 yards. Casey Cain had three receptions for 37 yards. Donte Lee added 74 receiving yards, including a 62-yard touchdown catch.
“It’s one of those things, as you’re on the road in conference, you’ve got to make sure you do the things that don’t beat yourself,” Chadwell said.
Liberty will look to bounce back next week at Bowling Green in Ohio. The Flames will have to claw back from losing its first CUSA game of the season for the first time in its three years in the league.
