Liberty Top Falcons, 34-24, In Season Opener

Saturday, September 2

Lynchburg, Va.

12 p.m.

Bowling Green State University

0-1 , 0-0

Liberty

1-0 , 0-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Bowling Green

Liberty

Photo by: Pete Emerson/BGSU Athletics

September 02, 2023 | Football

Box Score Postgame Notes Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery

LYNCHBURG, Va.- Liberty (1-0) had the momentum early, scoring on three straight drives to begin the game and the Flames picked up the season-opening win over the Bowling Green Falcons (0-1) on Saturday afternoon, inside Williams Stadium.

Down 24-0 to start the game, BGSU finished the game on a 24-10 run, but it was not enough. Ta'ron Keith started things off with a career-high 40-yard rushing touchdown. Dontrez Brown blocked a Liberty field goal attempt and Trent Simms returned it 76 yards for another score to end the first half. Odieu Hiliare started things in the second half on a 32-yard pass from Camden Orth to push the Falcons within a touchdown of the Flames, but it wasn't enough.

Bentley Hanshaw and Vaughn Blue both scored receiving touchdowns for the Flames, while Blue added a rushing touchdown. Kaidon Salter passed for 143 yards completing 11-of-20 passes of the day.

The Flames had 389 yards in total offense compared to the Falcons' 328.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Falcons won the opening coin toss and deferred to the second half, Liberty received while defending the South End Zone.
Early in the second quarter Terion Stewart started the offensive movement, rushing up the middle for a gain of 15 yards producing a first down.
Stewart continued the possession with a total of 26 yards in the next two plays.
Ta'ron Keith rushed to the right for 14 yards to put the Falcons on the board.
After Keith's gain, the Falcons added Alan Anaya's point after try, making the score 24-7 Flames.
Late in the second quarter, Bowling Green's Dontrez Brown blocked a field goal attempted by the Flames to have Trent Simms returned for 76 yards.
Anaya added another PAT, making the score 24-14 Liberty
Bowling Green's Anaya added three points from 34 yards, early in the third quarter.
Camden Orth passed deep to the right to complete for 32 yards to Hiliare, Anaya added the extra point, cutting the Liberty lead to 31-24.
Liberty attempted a field goal from 36 yards to finish the scoring, 34-24 Liberty.

SPECIAL TEAMS 😤

Trent Simms returns a blocked FG attempt 76 yards for a TD!!! Dontrez Brown on the block 💪

📺 @CBSSportsNet pic.twitter.com/RLsY7c8YAK
— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) September 2, 2023

STAT LEADERS

Odieu Hiliare 4 receptions, 59 yards, 1 touchdown
Ta'ron Keith 3 rushes, 69 rushing yards, 1 touchdown
Joseph Sipp Jr. 12 tackles (4-8)
Jalen Huskey 10 tackles (5-5)
Davon Ferguson 8 tackles (3-5)

GAME NOTES

BGSU finished with 191 rushing yards, which was the most by the Falcons since rushing for 221 yards at Buffalo in 2021.
WR Odieu Hiliare extends his consecutive games steak with at least one catch to 36 games. He entered the week with the sixth-best active streak in the nation.
Dontrez Brown blocked a field goal and Trent Simms returned it 76 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter.
PK Alan Anaya booted his first career field goal in the third quarter. His first field goal attempt was from 33 yards.
DL Anthony Hawkins notched his first sack of the season and third of his career in the first quarter.

FROM THE LOCKER ROOM
"The turnovers are something we are going to correct. Five interceptions are tough to overcome. We haven't had five interceptions all training camp. We need to take care of the ball better. At the end of the day, it is all about the ball, it always has been. We will get the passing game straight. We thought we would throw the ball really well today." - Scot Loeffler

UP NEXT
Bowling Green returns home on Sept. 9 to host Eastern Illinois at Doyt Perry Stadium. Kick is set for 2 p.m. in a "White Out" game. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.