Liberty at Kennesaw State
Thursday, October 22, 2026, 7:00 PM ET Share
Liberty plays at Kennesaw State on Thursday, October 22, at 7 p.m. Eastern. It will be their sixth meeting; Kennesaw State leads the series 3–2.
Game notes: the series, streaks, the coaches and school records within reach, from the research desk.
Upcoming at Fifth Third Stadium, KennesawForecast at kickoff: 65°F, clear, NW wind 5 mphNational Weather Service forecast, Mon 6:06 AM ETTV: CBSSN
Preview
| Liberty | Kennesaw State | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–1 | Record | 1–5 |
| 0.17 (64th) | EPA per play | 0.10 (90th) |
| −0.04 (26th) | EPA per play allowed | 0.12 (94th) |
| 48% (33rd) | Success rate | 45% (57th) |
| 34% (11th) | Success rate allowed | 43% (96th) |
| 1.13 (120th) | Explosiveness | 1.09 (127th) |
| 3.7 (82nd) | Points per trip inside the 40 | 4.2 (44th) |
| 19% (24th) | Havoc caused | 13% (117th) |
| 0.17 | Opponent-adjusted EPA | 0.09 |
| 0.06 | Opponent-adjusted EPA allowed | 0.17 |
Liberty
| Player | Share | EPA/play | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deshawn Purdie QB | 88% | 0.33 | 0.26 |
| Kam Davis RB | 30% | 0.45 | 0.40 |
| Peyton Jones RB | 23% | −0.04 | 0.11 |
| Makai Jackson WR | 21% | 1.25 | |
| Jamari Person WR | 13% | 0.49 | |
| Darius Copeland WR | 12% | 0.52 |
Kicker: Chase Reeves, 5.5 points above a replacement kicker on nine field-goal tries.
Kennesaw State
| Player | Share | EPA/play | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rickie Collins QB | 94% | 0.20 | 0.18 |
| Alan Woods III RB | 32% | 0.16 | 0.22 |
| Rickie Collins QB | 31% | 0.20 | 0.22 |
| Zion Booker WR | 24% | 0.13 | |
| Dylan Gary WR | 16% | 0.45 | |
| Brayden Munroe WR | 14% | 0.62 |
Kicker: Daniel Kinney, 0.6 points below a replacement kicker on seven field-goal tries.
Each side’s numbers this season, with its rank in the nation (first is best, on defense too), from CollegeFootballData.com’s game preview, as of October 17. The better side of each line is bold. Key players are each side’s leading passer, two leading runners and three leading receivers by share of plays. Adjusted: EPA per play adjusted for the defenses faced.
Players to watch
Liberty
- QuarterbackDeshawn Purdie1,050 passing yards, 8 TDLast: vs. Sam Houston, 10 of 14, 114 yards, 1 TD; 7 carries, 57 yardsTeam leader in passing yards
- Running backKam Davis524 rushing yards, 4 TDLast: vs. Sam Houston, 10 carries, 67 yards, 1 TDTeam leader in rushing yards
- LinebackerAidan Vaughan33 tacklesLast: vs. Sam Houston, 8 tacklesTeam leader in tackles
Kennesaw State
- QuarterbackRickie Collins1,287 passing yards, 4 TDLast: at Missouri State, 26 of 34, 260 yards, 1 TD; 9 carries, 25 yards, 1 TDTeam leader in passing yards
- Running backAlan Woods III253 rushing yards, 4 TDLast: at Missouri State, 13 carries, 47 yards, 1 TD; 6 catches, 36 yards
- LinebackerTywon Christopher49 tacklesLast: at Missouri State, 12 tacklesTeam leader in tackles
Each side’s two top producers this season (national leaders first) and its leading tackler.
Before kickoff
Our ratings and the line, going in
Our ratings (scores only)
Liberty 61% to win.
The line
Liberty −9.5, over/under 47.5.
Updated once a night until kickoff: the consensus line when the books publish one, otherwise a single major sportsbook’s.
Win chances before kickoff: Liberty 74%, Kennesaw State 26%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.
The series
Every Liberty–Kennesaw State gameKennesaw State leads 3–2 in five meetings.
| 2025 | Kennesaw State 48, Liberty 42 | |
| 2024 | Kennesaw State 27, Liberty 24 | |
| 2017 | Kennesaw State 42, Liberty 28 | |
| 2016 | Liberty 36, Kennesaw State 21 | |
| 2015 | Liberty 45, Kennesaw State 35 |
Around this game
Liberty
- Next gamevs. Florida InternationalOct. 31, 2026
- SeasonLiberty in 2026
- ProgramLiberty history and records
Kennesaw State
- Next gameat Middle TennesseeOct. 28, 2026
- SeasonKennesaw State in 2026
- ProgramKennesaw State history and records