Liberty rallies to defeat ECU 35-24 after weather delay
- Kaidon Salter threw four touchdown passes, three to Reese Smith, leading Liberty to a comeback victory.
- The game was delayed for over 4.5 hours due to inclement weather, impacting the flow of play.
- Liberty's win improved their record to 4-0 and extended their regular-season winning streak to 16 games.
In a thrilling college football matchup on Saturday night, Liberty University overcame a significant 17-point deficit to secure a 35-24 victory against East Carolina University (ECU) in Lynchburg, Virginia. The game faced a lengthy delay of over 4.5 hours due to inclement weather shortly after kickoff, which added to the tension of the contest. Kaidon Salter played a pivotal role for Liberty, completing 19 of 32 passes for 233 yards and throwing four touchdown passes, three of which were caught by Reese Smith. The first half saw ECU take a commanding lead, with Jake Garcia scoring the opening touchdown followed by Marlon Gunn Jr. and Andrew Conrad adding to the Pirates' score, making it 17-0. However, Liberty began to rally just before halftime, with Salter connecting with Elijah Canion for a touchdown, narrowing the score to 17-7. The Flames continued their momentum into the second half, with Salter throwing two more touchdowns to Smith, flipping the score to 21-17 in Liberty's favor. ECU responded with a touchdown run from Rahjai Harris, regaining the lead before the start of the fourth quarter. Liberty's resilience shone through as they orchestrated a lengthy 16-play drive, culminating in a touchdown pass from Salter to Smith, which put them ahead once again. Quinton Cooley sealed the game with a final touchdown run, ensuring Liberty's victory. This win marked Liberty's fourth consecutive victory of the season and extended their impressive streak to 16 consecutive regular-season wins, showcasing their determination and skill in overcoming adversity during the game.