Kaidon Salter and Liberty Flames Stumble Against Kennesaw State
In a shocking turn of events on Wednesday night, the Liberty Flames, previously undefeated and riding high on their success, fell to the Kennesaw State Owls with a final score of 27-24. This upset not only marked a significant moment for Kennesaw State, who entered the game with a dismal 0-6 record in their inaugural season at the FBS level, but it also dealt a severe blow to Liberty’s aspirations for the College Football Playoff.
A Historic Win for Kennesaw State
For Kennesaw State, this victory was monumental. It was their first win in 11 attempts against FBS opponents, a feat that will be remembered by the Owls and their fans. The game was particularly noteworthy given that Liberty was a staggering 26.5-point favorite heading into the matchup. To put this into perspective, the upset was reminiscent of Northern Illinois’ shocking victory over Notre Dame earlier in the season, where the Huskies were 28.5-point underdogs.
The Game’s Turning Points
The Flames started the game strong, taking an early lead, but the momentum shifted dramatically when Kennesaw State equalized at 7-7 in the first quarter. From that point on, Liberty struggled to regain control. The Owls took the lead for good in the third quarter, thanks to a six-yard touchdown run by Qua Ashley. As the game progressed, Austin Welch added two crucial field goals in the fourth quarter, extending Kennesaw State’s lead to two scores with under five minutes remaining.
A Chaotic Finish
As the clock wound down, Liberty found themselves in a desperate situation. With just six seconds left and no timeouts, quarterback Kaidon Salter launched a pass that sailed out of bounds, seemingly sealing the Flames’ fate. However, in a twist of fate, a review revealed that there was still one second left on the clock after the ball struck a player on the Liberty sideline. This led to a chaotic scene as Kennesaw State fans rushed the field in celebration, only to be forced to clear the area for one last attempt by Liberty.
Liberty’s Playoff Hopes Dashed
This loss has all but extinguished Liberty’s hopes of making the College Football Playoff. Last season, the Flames were the top non-power conference team in the playoff standings, finishing with a perfect 13-0 record and earning a spot in the Fiesta Bowl. However, their performance against Oregon in that bowl game, where they were soundly defeated 45-6, raised questions about their competitiveness against higher-tier teams.
With the new 12-team College Football Playoff format on the horizon, Liberty needed another undefeated season to have a shot at securing a playoff berth. The top five conference champions will receive automatic bids, and with the dissolution of the Pac-12, the competition among the remaining conferences has intensified. Liberty’s path to the playoffs was already fraught with challenges, given the relatively weak schedule they faced, including teams like Campbell, East Carolina, UMass, and a canceled game against Appalachian State due to Hurricane Helene.
The Landscape of College Football
Even before the upset, Liberty’s chances were slim. Other teams in stronger conferences, such as Boise State and UNLV in the Mountain West, have shown resilience with only one loss each. Meanwhile, Army and Navy remain undefeated in the American, and Louisiana is sitting at 6-1 in the Sun Belt. These teams have faced significantly tougher schedules, making Liberty’s path to the playoffs even more complicated.
Looking Ahead
As the Flames move forward, they will need to regroup and focus on their remaining games. Even if they manage to win out the rest of the season, they will require considerable help from other teams to even be in the conversation for the playoffs. The loss to Kennesaw State serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of college football and the challenges that lie ahead for Liberty as they navigate the remainder of their season.