ECU Football vs Liberty Football Match Player Stats: A Comprehensive Statistical Breakdown

The ECU football vs Liberty football match player stats offer a captivating look into a thrilling college football showdown between the East Carolina University (ECU) Pirates and the Liberty University Flames. As of April 10, 2025, their most recent clash occurred on September 21, 2024, at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia, where Liberty rallied from a 17-point deficit to defeat ECU 35-24 in a game delayed over four hours by weather.I guide dives deep into the player stats from that matchup, explores key performances, provides context within their respective seasons, and delivers insights for fans all optimized to be your ultimate resource for understanding this game’s numbers and its implications for both teams.

The Matchup: ECU vs Liberty in Context

The September 21, 2024, game marked the first-ever meeting between the ECU Pirates (American Athletic Conference) and the Liberty Flames (Conference USA). ECU, with a storied history including two CUSA titles (2008, 2009), entered at 2-1, while Liberty, riding a 15-game regular-season win streak, stood at 3-0. The ECU football vs Liberty football match player stats from this contest highlight Liberty’s resilience and ECU’s early dominance undone by second-half miscues. Played before a record 24,076 fans at Williams Stadium, this game showcased individual brilliance amid a marathon night that tested both teams’ resolve.

Game Recap and Key Stats

The game began with a weather delay of 4 hours and 37 minutes after just six plays, resuming at 10:45 PM EDT. ECU surged to a 17-0 lead by the second quarter, but Liberty mounted a 35-7 scoring run to secure a 35-24 victory, improving to 4-0 (2-0 CUSA) while ECU fell to 2-2 (0-0 AAC). Below is a detailed breakdown of the ECU football vs Liberty football match player stats, sourced from ESPN, LibertyFlames.com, and ECUPirates.com.

ECU Pirates Player Stats

Jake Garcia (QB, Sophomore)

• Stats: 20-36 passing, 204 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT; 8 rushes, 30 yards, 1 TD
• Highlight: Garcia’s 8-yard scrambling TD in the first quarter opened the scoring (7-0), but his fourth-quarter interception to Dexter Ricks Jr. (35-yard return) halted a late rally.
• Season Context: Averaging 198.6 passing YPG through 2024 (ECU stats), Garcia’s mobility (4.8 YPC) adds dimension, though his 6 INTs reflect inconsistency.

• Rahjai Harris (RB, Senior)

• Stats: 11 carries, 47 yards, 1 TD; 1 fumble lost
• Highlight: Harris’ 2-yard TD run in the third quarter gave ECU a 24-21 lead, but his fourth-quarter fumble (recovered by A’Khori Jones) set up Liberty’s final score.
• Season Context: With 512 yards and 6 TDs (4.3 YPC), Harris is ECU’s ground leader.

• Chase Sowell (WR, Sophomore)

• Stats: 5 receptions, 72 yards
• Highlight: Sowell’s 22-yard catch in the second quarter set up a field goal, pushing ECU to 17-0.
• Season Context: At 14.2 yards per catch (448 yards), Sowell’s big-play ability shines.

Marlon Gunn Jr. (RB, Junior)

• Stats: 8 carries, 31 yards, 1 TD
• Highlight: Gunn’s 1-yard TD plunge after a Liberty fumble extended ECU’s lead to 14-0 in the first.
• Season Context: Averaging 4.1 YPC, Gunn complements Harris effectively.

Team Totals: 331 total yards (204 passing, 127 rushing), 7-15 third-down conversions (46.7%), 2 turnovers (1 INT, 1 fumble lost), 23:17 TOP.

Liberty Flames Player Stats

Kaidon Salter (QB, Junior)

• Stats: 19-32 passing, 223 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT; 11 rushes, 37 yards; 1 fumble lost
• Highlight: Salter’s three second-half TD passes to Reese Smith (14, 15, and 8 yards) flipped the game, with the final one giving Liberty a 28-24 lead in the fourth.
• Season Context: Averaging 185.3 passing YPG and 5.2 rushing YPG (Liberty stats), Salter’s 14 TD passes and 2 INTs highlight his dual-threat prowess

Quinton Cooley (RB, Senior)

• Stats: 19 carries, 105 yards, 1 TD
• Highlight: Cooley’s 21-yard TD run with 2:07 left sealed the 35-24 win, capping a 77-yard drive after an ECU fumble.
• Season Context: With 732 yards and 8 TDs at 6.1 YPC, Cooley ranks among CUSA’s elite rushers.

• Reese Smith (WR, Senior)

• Stats: 6 receptions, 80 yards, 3 TD
• Highlight: Smith’s three TD catches—all on third downs in the red zone—tied a Liberty record, with the 15-yard score in the fourth proving decisive.
• Season Context: After missing 2023 due to injury, Smith’s 6 TDs and 14.2 yards per catch mark his breakout year.

Elijah Canion (WR, Sophomore)

• tats: 3 receptions, 42 yards, 1 TD
• Highlight: Canion’s 14-yard TD catch before halftime cut ECU’s lead to 17-7, sparking Liberty’s rally.
• Season Context: At 15.1 yards per catch, Canion adds depth to Liberty’s receiving corps.

Team Totals: 414 total yards (223 passing, 191 rushing), 13-17 third-down conversions (76.5%), 2 turnovers (1 INT, 1 fumble lost), 36:43 TOP.

Game Recap: Stats Tell the Story

The ECU football vs Liberty football match player stats reveal a game of contrasting halves. ECU dominated early, capitalizing on a Salter fumble (recovered at the Liberty 3) for Gunn’s TD and Garcia’s scramble to lead 14-0. Andrew Conrad’s 34-yard field goal made it 17-0 in the second. Liberty responded with a 12-play, 80-yard drive, ending in Canion’s TD (17-7 at halftime). The third quarter saw Liberty’s surge—Smith’s 14-yard TD cut it to 17-14, then Harris’ score pushed ECU to 24-21. In the fourth, Smith’s 15- and 8-yard TDs gave Liberty a 28-24 lead, and after Harris’ fumble, Cooley’s 21-yard TD iced it. Liberty’s 76.5% third-down efficiency and 414 yards outpaced ECU’s 46.7% and 331, with turnovers proving pivotal.

Historical Context: A First-Time Clash

As their inaugural meeting, the ECU football vs Liberty football match player stats lack historical comparison, but context matters. Liberty’s 16-game regular-season win streak (longest in FBS) and ECU’s 61% CUSA win rate from 1997-2013 frame their pedigrees. Liberty’s comeback echoed their 2024 trend—trailing in all four first halves yet finishing 4-0—while ECU’s collapse mirrored their prior week’s loss to Appalachian State (16-0 lead, lost 21-19).

Standout Performers: Who Shaped the Game

• Kaidon Salter (Liberty): His 223 passing yards and 4 TDs, plus 37 rushing yards, earned him game MVP honors, overcoming an early INT and fumble.
• Reese Smith (Liberty): Three TD catches tied a school record, marking his triumphant return from two knee injuries.
• Quinton Cooley (Liberty): His 105 yards and game-sealing TD underscored Liberty’s rushing dominance (25th nationally, 225 YPG).
• Jake Garcia (ECU): His 204 passing and 30 rushing yards showed promise, but turnovers hurt.

Team Trends and Insights

• Rushing Battle: Liberty’s 191 yards (4.2 YPC) topped ECU’s 127 (4.0 YPC), despite ECU’s 18th-ranked rush defense (73 YPG allowed).
• Third Downs: Liberty’s 13-17 (76.5%) dwarfed ECU’s 7-15 (46.7%), reflecting offensive control.
• Turnovers: Both teams lost 2, but Liberty capitalized more, with Jones’ fumble recovery setting up the clincher.

Season Context

Liberty’s 8-0 start (5-0 CUSA) positions them for a title run, while ECU’s 3-5 (1-4 AAC) reflects struggles post-2-1. The ECU football vs Liberty football match player stats highlight Liberty’s depth (414 yards) vs ECU’s reliance on Garcia and Harris (331 yards).

What’s Next

Their next potential clash possibly a 2025 bowl game could shift if ECU tightens turnovers (12 in 2024, FBS-high) and Liberty sustains its streak (now 19 games).

How to Use These Stats

• Fantasy/Betting: Salter (TDs), Cooley (yards), and Smith (catches) for Liberty; Garcia (yards) and Harris (TDs) for ECU. Bet Liberty -8 if trends hold.
• Fandom: Catch highlights on ESPN+ or stats via Sofascore.

Conclusion

The ECU football vs Liberty football match player stats from September 21, 2024, paint Liberty’s 35-24 win as a tale of resilience, with Kaidon Salter’s 4 TDs and Quinton Cooley’s 105 yards overcoming ECU’s early 17-0 lead driven by Jake Garcia and Rahjai Harris. As of April 10, 2025, at 12:24 AM PDT, Liberty’s 19-game streak shines, while ECU’s grit hints at potential. Sourced from ESPN and team sites, these stats offer fans a deep dive into a game where turnovers and third-down mastery defined the outcome. Whether you’re a Flames fan celebrating or a Pirates supporter regrouping, this matchup’s numbers promise more exciting chapters ahead.

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