Purdie throws three touchdowns as Liberty rolls past Ball State, 51–15

Liberty players celebrate during the Flames’ game against Ball State at Williams Stadium. Photo: Jackson Reid for the NSMT.

LYNCHBURG, Va. — Liberty erased an early deficit with 31 unanswered points Saturday, pulling away from Ball State for a 51–15 victory at Williams Stadium.

Deshawn Purdie threw for 211 yards and three touchdowns as the Flames improved to 2–1. Two of his scoring passes went to Jamari Person, whose touchdown catches helped turn Ball State’s brief first-quarter lead into a 23–7 Liberty advantage at halftime.

Liberty finished with 460 yards, including 212 on the ground, and converted 10 of 13 third downs. Ball State managed one conversion in nine third-down attempts and fell to 1–2.

Purdie opened the scoring with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Makai Jackson. A missed extra point left room for Ball State to move ahead, and TJ Horton’s 2-yard touchdown run and the ensuing kick gave the Cardinals a 7–6 lead.

That lead lasted just over two minutes. Purdie answered with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Person, putting Liberty ahead for good with 3:46 remaining in the opening quarter.

Chase Reeves added a 46-yard field goal in the second quarter. Then Purdie found Person for a 7-yard touchdown with 13 seconds left before halftime, stretching the margin to 16 points.

The Flames kept scoring after the break. Ethan Vasko’s 4-yard touchdown run and Kam Davis’ 14-yard scoring run extended the lead to 37–7 before Horton scored his second rushing touchdown late in the third quarter.

Liberty added two fourth-quarter touchdowns: a 21-yard pass from Jaylen Henderson to Terron Kellman and a 1-yard run by Jaylin Belford.

Purdie completed 13 of 20 passes without an interception. Jackson led Liberty with four catches for 88 yards and a touchdown, while Person finished with four receptions for 37 yards and two scores. Kellman gained 51 rushing yards on three carries to lead the Flames on the ground.

Liberty faces a short turnaround before visiting Coastal Carolina on Thursday, Sept. 24. Kickoff at Brooks Stadium is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.