The Conference USA regular-season finale ignites with divisional stakes as the co-leading Kennesaw State Owls (8-3, 6-1 CUSA) travel to face the Liberty Flames (4-7, 3-4 CUSA) at Williams Stadium. Kennesaw State, in their inaugural FBS campaign under Brian Bohannon, can clinch an outright East Division title and bowl berth (projected Bahamas Bowl) with a win, building on a seven-of-eight-win surge despite a 28-24 road loss to Jacksonville State on November 16. Liberty, Jamey Chadwell’s squad fading after a 3-1 start, desperately seeks a .500 finish and spoiler status following three straight losses, including a 31-13 defeat at home to New Mexico State. The Owls’ explosive rushing attack (top-20 nationally, 220 YPG) tests Liberty’s stout front seven (top-30 rush D), while the Flames’ aerial efficiency could exploit KSU’s secondary—expect Liberty’s mountain air, Flames’ fervor, and a tight, ground-heavy battle for CUSA supremacy.
Venue Location
The showdown takes place at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia. This 25,000-seat Liberty landmark, opened in 1989 and renovated in 2015, is the Flames’ home since 2003 and renowned for its electric “Flame Faithful” atmosphere and elevation edge (900 feet). It’s a 400-mile drive from Kennesaw, Georgia, packing the house for Senior Day—Liberty boasts a 1-1 home record in the series.
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN2 (primary), with streaming on ESPN app and Fubo. Radio: Kennesaw State’s 98.3 FM (Owl Radio Network); Liberty’s 970 AM (Flames Sports Network).
Weather Updates
Lynchburg’s late-November forecast hints at crisp, variable mountain conditions favoring defenses. Expect partly cloudy skies with a high of 55°F (13°C) and a low around 35°F (2°C). Winds: NW at 10-15 mph (gusts to 20 mph), with a 20% chance of light showers in the afternoon. Cool and breezy—artificial turf firm but wind could wobble kicks; elevation (900 ft) adds ~3% scoring boost per models, but chill tempers deep balls.
Injury Report
Kennesaw State’s depth masked midseason hits, but Liberty’s backfield and QB room nag from recent losses. Updates as of November 28.
Kennesaw State Owls:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| J. Silas | LB | Questionable | Undisclosed (limited vs. Jacksonville State, Nov. 16) | Tackle machine (50 stops); if out, thins front seven (team ranks 60th vs. rush). |
| Caleb Offord | DB | Probable | Lower body (scary hit vs. Jacksonville State, Nov. 15; cleared) | Slot coverage (3 PBUs); returned limited—key vs. Liberty’s passes. |
| Ryan Burger | QB | Out | Undisclosed (since Nov. 1) | Backup to starter; depth tested in blowouts. |
Overall: Minimal new concerns; Bohannon praised “resiliency” post-Jax State, with run game intact (top-20 YPG).
Liberty Flames:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| J. Gray | RB | Out | Undisclosed (season-ending, Nov. 8) | Rotational back (400 yds, 4 TDs); thins committee (team ranks 80th rush, 140 YPG). |
| Caden Williams | RB | Out | Undisclosed (missed previous game) | Lead rusher (500 yds pre-injury); overworks backups in bottom-50 ground game. |
| Ethan Vasko | QB | Out | Season-ending (Week 4 vs. James Madison) | Backup QB; starter Kaidon Salter (2,200 yds, 16 TDs) unaffected, but no depth cushion. |
| Eli Hall | DL | Questionable | Undisclosed (Nov. 20 update) | Edge rusher (4 TFLs); if sidelined, front four vulnerable (top-30 havoc). |
Overall: Backfield decimated; Chadwell noted “next-man-up” mentality, but D remains top-30 scoring despite losses.
Player Matchups
Kennesaw State’s ground dominance (top-20 SP+ offense) clashes with Liberty’s resilience (top-50 defense). Elevation favors Owls’ legs; keys:
Kennesaw State QB J. J. Jones vs. Liberty Secondary: Jones’ efficiency (est. 2,000 yds, 15 TDs) carves short. Flames’ DBs (top-40 efficiency, 12 INTs) force TOs. Edge: Liberty—Flames 4-2 with 2+ TOs; KSU 2-3 with 3+ giveaways.
Liberty QB Kaidon Salter vs. Kennesaw State Pass Rush: Salter’s dual-threat (2,200 yds, 16 TDs; 500 rush yds) extends plays. Owls’ front (top-50 sacks) pressures 25% dropbacks. Edge: Salter—Liberty 3-2 exceeding 300 yds/game.
Kennesaw State RB (committee) vs. Liberty Front Seven (Eli Hall questionable): Backs (220 YPG) test LBs (top-30 run D, 110 yds allowed). Edge: Liberty—Owls 3-2 under 150 rush yds.
Liberty WR (group) vs. Kennesaw State CBs: Targets (est. 1,200 yds) exploit zones. Owls bend (60th passer rating). Edge: Liberty group—Flames 4-1 when WRs hit 150+ yds.
Recent Team Forms
Kennesaw State Owls: Bohannon’s Owls stumbled 28-24 at Jacksonville State (Nov. 16), but prior surge (W7 of 8) featured rushing clinic (250 YPG). Offense potent (28 PPG), D gritty (top-40 scoring). Morale: Title hunt—6-1 SU CUSA.
Liberty Flames: Chadwell’s Flames routed 31-13 at home by NMSU (Nov. 23), extending skid—Salter flashed (200 yds) but turnovers (12 given last 3) doomed. Balanced but fading (22 PPG). Morale: Spoiler mode—1-4 ATS home.
Series History
FCS-era rivals since 2015, split even. All-time: 2-2 (Kennesaw State W streak 2; Liberty home 1-1). Last: 2024 Liberty 27-24 (OT thriller). At Williams: Liberty 1-1. Trends: Avg. 25-22; unders in 3/4.
| Year | Winner | Score | Notes |
| 2024 | Liberty | 27-24 | OT home win |
| 2023 | Kennesaw State | 24-20 | Road upset |
| 2022 | Liberty | 31-28 | High-scorer |
| 2021 | Kennesaw State | 28-21 | FCS playoff |
Betting Trends
Kennesaw State: 7-4 ATS (63.6%); 3-2 ATS as road favorites. 5-6 O/U; overs in 4/6 road. 6-2 SU as fave (75%). Vs. Liberty: 2-2 ATS.
Liberty: 3-8 ATS (27.3%); 1-4 ATS as 1.5+ home dogs. 6-5 O/U; overs in 3/5 home. 2-6 SU as underdog (25%). Series: 2-2 SU, 2-2 ATS.
Series Trends: Home team 2-2 SU; overs 1/4 (avg. 50 pts). Dogs cover 3/4; Liberty 2-1 ATS home vs. KSU. Advanced: FPI gives KSU 55% win prob. KSU top-20 rush SP+; Liberty 70th overall.
Game Odds
Kennesaw State Owls – 2
Liberty Flames 56
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, November 28, 2025
