Week 5 Preview: Liberty at Old Dominion

Old Dominion returns well rested from a bye week to host Liberty in Week 5 at S.B. Ballard Stadium. The Monarchs enter at 2-1, while the Flames come in 1-3. ODU is riding a high from recent road win at Virginia Tech, while Liberty is looking to rebound after a 31-13 loss to James Madison.

This will be the sixth meeting between the programs. Liberty leads the all-time series 4-1, winning each matchup since 2018, including a 38-10 victory in 2023 at Lynchburg. ODU’s lone win came in the first meeting back in 2013, a 21-17 result in Norfolk.

Old Dominion

Colton Joseph has grown into a stronger leader for the Monarchs each week, opening the Virginia Tech game with a 93-yard drive capped by a six-yard rushing touchdown. In the first half alone, ODU piled up 334 yards, stringing together scoring marches of 93, 97, 88, and 77 yards to build a commanding 28-0 lead. It marked ODU’s first road win over a power conference opponent and handed Virginia Tech its first 0-3 start since 1987.

If you weren’t on the Colton Joseph and Old Dominion bandwagons before this week, it might be too late pic.twitter.com/iNwTh1pTWF
— Joe Broback (@JoeBrobackCFB) September 16, 2025

That victory was more than just a highlight — it represented a turning point for Old Dominion’s season. The Monarchs entered the year with questions about consistency and leadership on offense, but Joseph’s poise under center has steadily provided answers. Through three games, ODU is averaging over 400 yards of total offense, showing balance in both the passing and running game. Running back Trequan Jones has given the ground attack explosiveness, while the defense has complemented the effort by generating key stops and holding opponents in check early.

Coming out of the bye week, the program carries rare momentum. A win over Liberty would push ODU to 3-1, cementing one of the strongest starts in recent program history as they shift toward the grind of Sun Belt play.

Liberty University

Liberty enters Week Five seeking consistency after a 1–3 start. Their lone win came in Week 2 over Maine, but since then the Flames have struggled to close out drives and control momentum. In their most recent game, they fell 31–13 to James Madison, reinforcing the need for sharper execution.

At quarterback, Ethan Vasko has accounted for55 completions on 96 attempts for 763 yards, with six passing touchdowns and three interceptions. He also has51 carries for 142 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns—showing he’s not afraid to use his legs when needed.

In the backfield, Evan Dickens leads the rushing attack with54 carries for 297 yards and two rushing touchdowns(5.5 yards per carry) through four games. He’s also chipped in 4 receptions for 59 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown. Notably, against Jacksonville State, Dickens ran for 114 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.

It was tied at 7 early in the 4th quarter before Ethan Vasko found Evan Dickens who raced down the sideline for a 24-yard touchdown. It sparked a 21-0 Liberty 4th period, pushing the Flames past Maine in the season opener.

Game story from Lynchburg:https://t.co/4kmmp6lpAA
— A Sea of Red (@ASeaofRed) August 31, 2025

Defensively, Liberty has allowed several explosive plays, often putting the team in catch-up mode. While Vasko and Dickens provide bright spots on offense, the Flames still need more balance and reliability. A win in Norfolk would serve as a reset— but another loss could deepen their hole before conference play begins.