LYNCHBURG, Va. (AP) — Kaidon Salter threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more, all in the first half, as No. 25 Liberty kept its perfect record intact with a 38-10 victory over Old Dominion on Saturday.
The Flames, already the regular season champions in Conference USA, improved to 10-0 (7-0). It marks their second double-digit win season since transitioning to FBS competition in 2018 and third overall.
Salter, the three-time CUSA Offensive Player of the Week, completed 13 of 22 passes for 225 yards and also rushed 11 times for 41 yards in a little over three quarters.
Back in the AP Top 25 for the first time since last November, Liberty got on the scoreboard quickly. It opened the game with an eight-play, 75-yard drive that was capped by CJ Daniels’ 43-yard touchdown grab. On the next possession, which began near midfield following a shanked punt, Salters took matters into his own hands and scampered for a 2-yard run to make it 14-0.
Altogether, the Flames, the nation’s 12th ranked scoring offense, hit pay dirt on five of its first six drives to build a commanding 35-3 halftime lead.
Daniels was Salters’ favorite target, hauling in seven passes for 137 yards and two scores.
Old Dominion (4-6, 3-3 Sun Belt) was largely ineffective on offense, managing just a field goal by Ethan Sanchez through the first 58-plus minutes. Javon Harvey’s 5-yard touchdown catch was nothing more than window-dressing on a tough day.
Grant Wilson was sacked a handful of times and pressured throughout the game as the Monarchs’ offensive line proved no match.
Liberty did much of its damage on the ground, rushing for 149 yards in the first half and 230 overall. Quinton Cooley led the Flames with 85 yards on 19 carries. In the process, the Flames broke their single-season rushing record set in 2003.
Liberty improved to 4-1 all-time in the series.
THE TAKEAWAY
Liberty kept alive its bid for an undefeated season. The Flames established their offense early and put the game away with five first-half touchdowns. Old Dominion, which had played an FBS-leading eight one-score games, suffered its most lopsided loss of the season. The Monarchs need to win their final two games to become bowl eligible.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Still lacking a signature win, Liberty had more to lose than gain after cracking the Top 25. But it certainly didn’t hurt its stock with the lopsided victory.
UP NEXT
Liberty: Hosts UMass on Saturday.
Old Dominion: Visits Georgia Southern on Saturday.
___
Get alerts on the latest AP Top 25 poll throughout the season. Sign up here
___
AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
