Bowling Green vs. Liberty Short Report | Sep 2, 2023
Williams Stadium (VA)
Lynchburg, VA
Sep 2, 2023
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Game Recap
The Liberty Flames defeated the Bowling Green Falcons 34-24 in a thrilling season opener on September 2, 2023. Liberty took an early lead when Billy Lucas powered through the defense for a 2-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter. Kaidon Salter's dynamic playmaking extended the advantage with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Vaughn Blue, building Liberty's commanding first-half lead.
Bowling Green responded with a spirited comeback, highlighted by Ta'ron Keith's 14-yard touchdown run and Trent Simms' electrifying 76-yard return of a blocked field goal. However, Liberty's defense, spearheaded by Kobe Singleton's 36-yard interception return for a touchdown, and Teagen Lenderink's critical field goals ensured the Flames remained in control. Despite Camden Orth's late-game heroics for Bowling Green, Liberty's balanced attack and clutch defensive stops sealed the victory.
Key Plays:
Billy Lucas (Liberty)
Billy Lucas powered through the defensive line for a 2-yard touchdown run, establishing Liberty's first lead of the game at 7-0. This play set the tone for Liberty's offensive dominance in the opening half.
Kaidon Salter (Liberty)
Kaidon Salter showcased his dual-threat capability, executing a precise 12-yard touchdown pass to Vaughn Blue. This play showcased the effective execution of Liberty's offensive strategy, making it 14-0.
Kobe Singleton (Liberty)
Seconds after Liberty's second touchdown, Kobe Singleton read the opposing quarterback's eyes and made a standout play by intercepting a pass and returning it 36 yards for a touchdown. This crucial play increased Liberty's lead to 21-0 and showcased their defensive prowess.
Teagen Lenderink (Liberty)
Teagen Lenderink displayed his reliability as a kicker by successfully converting a 36-yard field goal that extended Liberty's lead to 24-0. This field goal demonstrated Liberty's ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Ta'ron Keith (Bowling Green)
Ta'ron Keith provided a spark for Bowling Green by breaking through Liberty's defense for a 14-yard rushing touchdown. This scoring play was crucial in getting Bowling Green on the scoreboard, reducing the deficit to 24-7.
Trent Simms (Bowling Green)
Trent Simms made a game-changing play on special teams by returning a blocked field goal attempt 76 yards for a touchdown. This electrifying play tightened the score to 24-14, giving Bowling Green a surge of momentum heading into halftime.
Kaidon Salter (Liberty)
Kaidon Salter added to his impressive performance by connecting with Bentley Hanshaw for a 17-yard touchdown pass. This score bolstered Liberty's lead to 31-17, underlining Salter's crucial role in the team's offensive success.
Camden Orth (Bowling Green)
Camden Orth kept Bowling Green in the game by launching a 32-yard touchdown pass to Odieu Hiliare. This long-range strike narrowed the margin to 31-24, showcasing Orth's resilience and ability to drive the offense under pressure.
Teagen Lenderink (Liberty)
Teagen Lenderink once again demonstrated his consistency by making another 36-yard field goal to secure Liberty's lead at 34-24. This final score ensured Liberty's late-game advantage and victory.
Standout Players:
Kaidon Salter (Liberty, QB)
Salter passed for 143 yards and 2 touchdowns while also showcasing his versatility by adding 82 rushing yards on 19 attempts. His dual-threat capability played a pivotal role in Liberty's offensive success.
Kobe Singleton (Liberty, CB)
Singleton's 36-yard interception return for a touchdown was a game-changing defensive play, exemplifying his defensive acumen and making a decisive impact on the game's momentum.
Teagen Lenderink (Liberty, K)
Lenderink's reliability as a kicker was on full display as he successfully converted 2 out of 3 field goal attempts along with all 4 extra points, proving instrumental in solidifying Liberty's lead.
Ta'ron Keith (Bowling Green, RB)
Keith's burst in the running game was highlighted by his 69 rushing yards on just 3 attempts, including a crucial 14-yard touchdown run that gave Bowling Green a much-needed scoring boost.
Camden Orth (Bowling Green, QB)
Orth threw for 66 yards and a touchdown while also contributing 17 rushing yards, showcasing his ability to make plays under pressure and keep Bowling Green competitive in the latter half.
References:
Bowling Green Falcons vs. Liberty Flames - Final Score - September 02, 2023 | FOX Sports
2023 MAC Football Week 1 Game Recap: Liberty Flames 34, Bowling Green Falcons 24 - Hustle Belt
Bowling Green Falcons vs. Liberty Flames Live Score and Stats - September 2, 2023 Gametracker - CBSSports.com
Bowling Green State University
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Liberty University Flames
Team
1
2
3
4
T
Bowling Green Falcons
0
14
10
0
24
Liberty Flames
7
17
7
3
34
