You're probably looking for a specific number. Most people searching for the liberty university football score right now want to know how that brutal season finale ended. Well, here is the raw truth: Liberty lost a heartbreaker to Kennesaw State 48-42.
It wasn't just a loss. It was a double-overtime marathon at Williams Stadium that effectively slammed the door on a season many fans would rather forget. If you've been following the Flames for a while, you know this wasn't how the script was supposed to go. Jamey Chadwell’s squad finished the 2025 campaign with a 4-8 record.
Four and eight.
That is Liberty’s first losing season since 2005. Let that sink in for a second. For a program that had basically forgotten what it felt like to lose more than three games in a year, 2025 was a cold, hard bucket of water to the face.
Breaking Down the Liberty University Football Score Against Kennesaw State
The final liberty university football score of 48-42 tells a story of a team that refused to quit but couldn't quite find the "it" factor when the lights got brightest. The game was tied 14-14 at halftime after Michael Merdinger punched in a two-yard touchdown as the clock hit zero. It felt like the Flames had the momentum.
Then the second half happened.
Evan Dickens was a monster on the ground, racking up 267 rushing yards. He even had a 95-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that made everyone in Lynchburg believe a comeback was locked in. But Kennesaw State’s Amari Odom was just a bit more surgical. The game went into overtime tied at 35.
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Both teams scored in the first OT.
In the second overtime, Liberty’s offense stalled. Kennesaw State didn't. They punched it in, and just like that, the Flames’ season ended on a four-game losing streak. Honestly, watching those last three weeks was exhausting for the fanbase. Liberty lost three straight games in overtime. FIU, Louisiana Tech, and then Kennesaw State.
Basically, they were three plays away from being 7-5 and heading to a bowl game. Instead, they’re sitting at home.
A Season of "What Ifs"
The 2025 liberty university football score log is a weird read. It started okay with a 28-7 win over Maine. Then the wheels started wobbling.
Look at these results:
- A 31-13 thumping from James Madison in the first "Battle of the Blue Ridge."
- A weirdly low-scoring 19-8 win over UTEP.
- The 59-30 explosion against Delaware that made us all think the offense was back.
But the defense just couldn't hold water late in the year. Giving up 48 points to a Kennesaw State team that hasn't exactly been an offensive juggernaut is a tough pill to swallow. Kennesaw State came into that game 9-3, but Liberty usually handles business at home. Not this time.
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Why the 2025 Record Matters for 2026
If you're worried about the future, you're not alone. There’s been a lot of talk about Jamey Chadwell's health and how that might have affected the 2025 season. On January 9, 2026, the university released a statement regarding Chadwell, and while he’s still the man in charge, the offseason has been busy.
They just hired Quinn as the new Defensive Coordinator on January 3. That was a move that had to happen. You can’t lose three straight overtime games because of defensive lapses and expect to keep the status quo.
The good news? The 2026 recruiting class looks solid. Chadwell signed 19 recruits back in December, including 15 who are already on campus as mid-year enrollees. Names like Jachin Davis (a three-star QB from South Carolina) and Austin Tremblay (a local DL from Liberty Christian Academy) are the guys fans are hoping will change the liberty university football score outcomes next fall.
Real Talk: Is the "Flames" Standard Slipping?
Some fans are panicking. It's easy to see why. After the 13-1 season in 2023 and the Fiesta Bowl appearance, 4-8 feels like a disaster.
But context is kind of important here. Every program has a "reloading" year. The problem was that Liberty’s reload coincided with some incredibly bad luck in close games. If you flip those three overtime scores, we aren't even having this conversation. We'd be talking about which minor bowl game they played in during December.
Instead, the focus has shifted entirely to the basketball court, where the men's team is currently 13-3 and 5-0 in CUSA. It’s a weird vibe in Lynchburg right now—the football stadium is empty and quiet, while Liberty Arena is rocking.
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What to Watch for in Spring Ball
The next time we get a real liberty university football score will be the spring game. The university already announced that walk-on tryouts are happening on January 22, 2026.
If you're a die-hard, here is what you need to keep an eye on:
- The QB Room: Michael Merdinger showed flashes of brilliance against Kennesaw State, but with new recruits coming in, that starting spot is wide open.
- Defensive Identity: How quickly can Coach Quinn install his system? They need to stop the bleed in the fourth quarter.
- The Ground Game: Evan Dickens proved he is an elite back. If the Flames can build an offensive line that gives him even a sliver of space, he’ll be a 1,500-yard rusher in 2026.
Honestly, the 2025 season was a reality check. The move to Conference USA was supposed to be a cakewalk based on that first year, but the rest of the league caught up. Teams like Sam Houston and Kennesaw State aren't scared of the mountain anymore.
Moving Forward
To get the most out of the upcoming season, fans should focus on the transition in the coaching staff. The defensive overhaul isn't just about personnel; it's about a shift in philosophy.
Check the official Liberty Flames website for the 2026 schedule release, which usually happens around February. If you're planning to attend games, season tickets are already on sale as of early January. Getting in early is usually cheaper, and after a 4-8 season, there might actually be some decent seats available for a change.
Keep an eye on the transfer portal too. With the spring semester starting, expect a few more names to pop up that could immediately impact the liberty university football score next September.
The 2025 season is in the books. It was ugly, it was long, and it was disappointing. But in college football, January is for forgetting and February is for hoping.
Actionable Insights for Flames Fans:
- Audit the Roster: Look at the 15 mid-year enrollees who joined this January; these are the players most likely to fix the depth issues that led to those overtime losses.
- Monitor the Portal: Watch for defensive secondary transfers through the end of January to see if Coach Quinn is getting the specific types of athletes his new system requires.
- Secure 2026 Tickets: Season tickets are currently available; purchasing now secures priority for what is expected to be a high-stakes "bounce-back" season.