LYNCHBURG, Va. (AP) — Kam Davis rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown and Liberty edged Middle Tennessee 28-23 on Saturday to win its ninth straight and clinch a spot in the Conference USA football championship game on Dec. 4.
With Jacksonville State’s loss to Western Kentucky on Saturday dropping the Gamecocks (5-1) out of a first-place tie, the Flames (9-1, 6-0) sit alone atop the conference standings with two regular-season games remaining.
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Davis’ 23-yard touchdown run extended Liberty’s lead to 21-10 early in the third quarter.
Twice, the Blue Raiders (5-5, 3-3) scored touchdowns after Liberty turned the ball over on downs in its own territory. The second time, Roman Gagliano’s 23-yard TD pass to Ziyon Butler cut the lead to 21-17.
Deshawn Purdie’s 10-yard TD pass to Makai Jackson again extended the lead to 28-17 early in the final quarter. Neo Clifton made a spectacular one-handed catch around a defender for a 14-yard score to cut the lead to 28-23 with 6:18 to go but Liberty kept possession the rest of the way.
Gagliano threw for 202 yards and two scores for the Blue Raiders. Cam’ron Lacy had 97 yards on 10 catches.
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Middle Tennessee: At Sam Houston next Saturday.
Liberty: Home against Western Kentucky next Saturday.
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