{"id":4859,"date":"2026-10-02T22:40:02","date_gmt":"2026-10-02T22:40:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/takethespacemedia.com\/?p=4859"},"modified":"2026-10-17T23:07:25","modified_gmt":"2026-10-17T23:07:25","slug":"libertys-ground-game-spoils-delawares-conference-opener","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/takethespacemedia.com\/?p=4859","title":{"rendered":"Liberty\u2019s Ground Game Spoils Delaware\u2019s Conference Opener"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Story by Shawn Payne | Photos by Kevin Barrett<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

October 2, 2026 | Delaware Stadium, Newark, Delaware
Conference USA Football | Delaware vs. Liberty<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEWARK, Del.<\/strong> \u2014 A sold-out Parents & Family Weekend crowd provided the setting as Delaware welcomed Liberty for its Conference USA opener on Friday night. The Fightin\u2019 Blue Hens entered at 2\u20132, looking to respond to a 42\u20133 loss at Virginia and begin conference play with a home victory. Liberty arrived at 3\u20131 following three consecutive wins, including a 34\u201317 road victory over Coastal Carolina. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The matchup was only the second between the programs, with Liberty having won their first meeting 59\u201330 in November 2025. The Flames brought an increasingly productive rushing attack into Newark, alongside a defense that had allowed just one second-half touchdown through its opening four games. Delaware faced a team building momentum on both sides of the ball as the conference schedule began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Liberty established an early advantage through kicker Chase Reeves, whose field goals from 47 and 30 yards gave the visitors a 6\u20130 lead after the first quarter. Delaware kept those opening possessions out of the end zone, but the Flames broke through in the second when Kam Davis found space for a 56-yard touchdown run. Peyton Jones added a three-yard rushing touchdown shortly before halftime, sending Liberty into the break ahead 20\u20130. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delaware struggled to turn its possessions into points. EJ Archield Jr., making both his collegiate debut and first start, completed 10 of 19 passes for 137 yards. The Blue Hens also turned to Braden Streeter and Tyler Bell as they searched for an offensive response, but remained scoreless through three quarters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Liberty continued to capitalize. Deuce Spurlock\u2019s interception helped set up a 22-yard Reeves field goal in the third quarter, before Davis scored again from five yards early in the fourth. Behind Davis\u2019 147 rushing yards and two touchdowns, the Flames finished with 282 yards on the ground and built a 30\u20130 lead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The home crowd finally had a touchdown to celebrate when Streeter connected with Donovan Lewis for a 58-yard score with 9:38 remaining. Bell later found Matthew McKinley-Daniels for another touchdown and ran in the two-point conversion. Those late possessions offered encouraging moments for Delaware\u2019s young quarterbacks, with Bell and McKinley-Daniels each recording their first collegiate touchdown through the air. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The rally came too late to threaten Liberty\u2019s control. The Flames secured their fourth consecutive victory and ended Delaware\u2019s five-game home winning streak. For the Blue Hens, the late scoring provided something to build on, but the night belonged to a Liberty rushing attack that had established the decisive advantage before halftime. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Delaware fell to 2\u20133 overall and 0\u20131 in Conference USA, while Liberty improved to 4\u20131 and 1\u20130. The announced attendance of 19,182 was Delaware\u2019s largest home crowd since October 2018. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

View more of Kevin Barrett’s work here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final Score: Delaware 14 \u2013 Liberty 30<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Touchdowns Scored:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delaware<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n