Vasko scores twice as Liberty runs past Sam Houston, 35–3

Liberty’s fifth consecutive victory came with a decisive running game and a defense that kept Sam Houston out of the end zone. Ethan Vasko scored two rushing touchdowns, and the Flames gained 297 yards on the ground in a 35–3 win Thursday night at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg.

The result moved Liberty to 5–1 overall and 2–0 in Conference USA. Sam Houston fell to 1–4 and 0–1 in league play. Liberty led 14–3 at halftime, then scored all 21 of the second half’s points to turn a manageable advantage into a comfortable finish.

A Virginia quarterback supplies two goal-line finishes

Vasko’s first touchdown of the game was a one-yard run with 14:15 left in the second quarter, extending Liberty’s lead to 14–0. His second came from three yards with 8:04 remaining in the third and pushed the margin to 21–3.

The Chesapeake native’s contribution gives the victory a familiar Virginia connection. Vasko graduated from Oscar F. Smith High School, where he helped lead the program to back-to-back state championships. He now wears No. 15 for the Flames.

Deshawn Purdie handled the passing production, completing 10 of 14 throws for 114 yards, one touchdown and no interception. His 15-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Randolph finished Liberty’s opening possession and gave the home team the first lead. Makai Jackson led the receivers with three catches for 46 yards.

The rushing production reaches beyond the scoring plays

Jaylon Coleman led Liberty with 92 yards on seven carries. Kam Davis added 67 on 10, and Purdie gained 57 on seven. Terron Kellman contributed 37 yards on eight attempts. Those different contributors helped the Flames finish with 411 total yards against Sam Houston’s 243.

Davis scored from three yards early in the fourth quarter to make it 28–3. Kellman’s nine-yard touchdown with 7:49 left completed the scoring. Vasko’s two touchdowns came on three carries totaling four yards: his value was finishing near the goal line, while the other runners supplied most of the ground yardage.

Liberty’s running success kept the offense from relying on a high passing volume. It finished with 22 first downs and converted four of seven third downs. The Flames did not commit a turnover.

The defense keeps the lead secure

Sam Houston’s only points came on Sam Carpenter’s 36-yard field goal with 16 seconds left before halftime. Landyn Locke completed 20 of 30 passes for 138 yards, but the Bearkats did not produce a touchdown through the air or on the ground.

Liberty held Sam Houston to four conversions on 13 third downs and stopped all three fourth-down attempts. Those fourth-down stops ended each of the Bearkats’ three longer second-half possessions without points, allowing the Flames’ lead to grow.

The result still leaves an obvious area to improve: Liberty was penalized 15 times for 117 yards. A 32-point win and a strong running performance do not erase the lost yardage or the added difficulty those flags can create against a closer opponent.

The Flames next visit Kennesaw State on Thursday, October 22, at 7 p.m. Eastern. Liberty’s official postgame report offers highlights and reactions from the Sam Houston game.