The Buffalo Bulls (8-4) will take on the Liberty Flames (8-3) in the Bahamas Bowl on January 4, 2025. The match-up will air on ESPN at 11:00 AM ET. As fans have seen all bowl season, opt-outs, transfer portal implications, and injuries will limit both squads from being at full strength in this contest. Buffalo fares better than Liberty with only two key players leaving the team for the transfer portal and one questionable from a regular season injury. Liberty, however, has lost its starting quarterback, several members of the offensive line, its leading rusher, and a few key players on the defense. Which team will overcome and come out on top?
Buffalo Bulls vs Liberty Flames in the Bahamas Bowl
It is a tale of two offenses for this iteration of the Bahamas Bowl. Buffalo enters the contest almost fully intact, whereas Liberty will have several unproven players who need to step into a major role. The Bulls will have starting quarterback, CJ Ogbonna, for the Bahamas Bowl. That is already a step above Liberty, who lost its starter, Kaidon Salter, to Colorado. Ogbonna enters the Bahamas Bowl tallying 2,244 passing yards this season. In addition, he has thrown 19 touchdowns and five interceptions to go along with eight rushing touchdowns. Ogbonna led the Bulls to four straight victories to end the season and get to eight wins on the year.
He will have his favorite receiver to throw to as well. Victor Snow averages 12 receiving yards per reception with a team-leading 51 receptions, 610 receiving yards, and six touchdowns through the air. Buffalo can also turn to its run game with starting running back Al-Jay Henderson expected to play as well. Henderson and Ogbonna are tied with a team-leading eight rushing touchdowns. The star back is just 41 yards away from reaching a 1,000-yard rushing season. Against a depleted Liberty defense, he should get there.
Who Will Step Up for Liberty on Offense?
The Flames are going to be without a lot of starters on the offense for the Bahamas Bowl. As already stated, Salter has left for Colorado, meaning Head Coach Jamey Chadwell will look to Ryan Burger to step up and captain this offense. After transferring to Liberty from Appalachian State ahead of the 2024 season, he only played in four games. In his first two seasons at Appalachian State, he only played in two games. In those four games this season, he only attempted seven passes and completed four. He did not throw a touchdown pass but did score a rushing touchdown in 2024. The redshirt sophomore might not have that many meaningful snaps, but he will be tasked with moving his team downfield against the Bulls in the Bahamas Bowl.
Not only is Liberty without its starting quarterback, but is also missing three starting offensive linemen and its leading rusher, Quinton Cooley. Burger will likely have to utilize his legs a little bit in this contest. He may be without his leading rusher, but he will have Billy Lucas. Lucas transferred to Liberty from Duquesne ahead of the 2023 season. In his second season with the Flames, Lucas became the team’s second-leading rusher in 2024. He played in 10 games this season and tallied 663 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Further, he is averaging five-and-a-half yards per carry. He only has four receptions this season but in his final season at Duquesne, he had 103 receiving yards and one touchdown through the air. Lucas can be utilized in the passing game as well. Burger will need to lean on him in this contest.
Final Thoughts
As has been shown throughout this bowl season, the team with the most consistency likely comes out on top. Unfortunately for the Liberty Flames, they are not the team with the most consistency entering the Bahamas Bowl. Buffalo will likely be with more starters in this contest, which should fare well for the Bulls. However, don’t count out the Flames.
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