Kaidon Salter and Liberty Flames Suffer Upset Loss to Kennesaw State
In a shocking turn of events, the Liberty Flames, once riding high on an undefeated season, fell to the Kennesaw State Owls 27-24 on Wednesday night. This unexpected defeat not only dashed Liberty’s hopes of making a significant impact in the College Football Playoff race but also marked a historic moment for Kennesaw State, who secured their first victory at the FBS level after entering the game with a dismal 0-6 record.
The Upset: A Game of Surprises
Liberty entered the matchup as a staggering 26.5-point favorite, a statistic that underscored the expectations surrounding the Flames. To put this in context, the last major upset of this magnitude occurred when Northern Illinois stunned Notre Dame as 28.5-point underdogs earlier in the season. The Flames seemed poised to maintain their perfect record, but the Owls had other plans.
The game began with Liberty taking an early lead, but Kennesaw State quickly responded, tying the game at 7-7 in the first quarter. From that point on, the Flames struggled to regain control. The turning point came in the third quarter when Qua Ashley’s six-yard touchdown run gave Kennesaw State a lead they would not relinquish. Austin Welch’s field goals in the fourth quarter extended the Owls’ lead, leaving Liberty scrambling to mount a comeback.
A Chaotic Finish
As the clock wound down, Liberty found themselves in a desperate situation. With just six seconds remaining and no timeouts, quarterback Kaidon Salter attempted a pass that sailed out of bounds, seemingly sealing the Flames’ fate. However, in a twist of fate, the play was reviewed, revealing that the ball had struck a player on the Liberty sideline, granting the Flames one last chance to pull off a miracle.
As Kennesaw State fans stormed the field in celebration, the chaos of the moment highlighted the tension and unpredictability of college football. Liberty’s final attempt, however, proved futile, and the Flames were left to ponder what went wrong.
Liberty’s Fall from Grace
This loss is particularly significant for Liberty, who had aspirations of returning to the College Football Playoff after a stellar 2022 season. The Flames finished last year with a perfect 13-0 record, earning a spot in the Fiesta Bowl, where they faced a formidable Oregon team and were soundly defeated 45-6.
With the new 12-team College Football Playoff format on the horizon, Liberty’s path to postseason glory appeared promising—provided they could replicate their undefeated success. However, the reality of their situation is stark. The top five conference champions receive automatic bids, and with the dissolution of the Pac-12, the competition among the remaining power conferences has intensified.
The Road Ahead: Challenges and Competition
Liberty’s schedule this season has been criticized for its lack of difficulty. With non-conference opponents like Campbell, East Carolina, UMass, and a canceled game against Appalachian State due to Hurricane Helene, the Flames have not faced the same level of competition as other potential playoff contenders.
Teams like Boise State and UNLV in the Mountain West, along with undefeated Army and Navy in the American, have showcased their strength against tougher opponents. Meanwhile, Louisiana’s impressive 6-1 record in the Sun Belt further complicates Liberty’s aspirations. Even if the Flames manage to win out for the remainder of the season, they will likely need significant help from other teams to even be considered for playoff contention.
The Impact of the Loss
The implications of this upset extend beyond just playoff hopes. For Liberty, this loss serves as a wake-up call, highlighting the need for a more challenging schedule and a stronger performance against formidable opponents. The Flames will need to regroup and reassess their strategy moving forward, as the landscape of college football continues to evolve.
As the dust settles from this unexpected defeat, the focus will shift to how Liberty can bounce back and what this means for Kennesaw State as they celebrate a monumental victory in their program’s history. The unpredictable nature of college football remains ever-present, reminding fans and players alike that anything can happen on any given night.