ODU 2025 Football Opponent Preview - Liberty

By David Asbury

Conference USA Favorite
That wealthy Christian school in Lynchburg that Old Dominion has played a few times is back on the schedule.  The Monarchs first faced Liberty back in 2013 when both teams were FCS and took care of business with a 21-17 victory.  But since both teams joined the FBS ranks it has been all Flames, bringing the series to 1-4 and 0-3 during the Ricky Rahne era.  ODU is not scheduled to play them again until 2033. So, it would be great for Rahne to get his first FBS win against them when they visit Norfolk on September 27th so they don't have bragging rights over the last win for most of the next decade.  It will be a tough game because this program is solid and the clear-cut favorite to win C-USA.

Coming off a 13-1 record and a trip to a New Year’s Six bowl (Fiesta) in 2023, the Flames were the heavy favorite to win Conference USA again in ‘24.  But they underachieved with an 8-4 record, including an embarrassing 27-24 loss to Kennesaw State-an FBS newcomer who would finish the season 2-10.  Despite last year’s setback, head coach Jamey Chadwell’s squad is still the team to beat in Conference USA.  But that is not saying too much. After the Monarchs and more left C-USA in 2022, the depth of talent in the league has been shallow.  Outside of Liberty, Western Kentucky, and Jacksonville State (last season), it has been one of the weakest conferences in G5 football.  With that in mind, Chadwell and company are probably looking forward to their in-state non-conference matchups against JMU and ODU much more than their conference games.

Jamey Chadwell coached Coastal Carolina before Liberty hired him in 2023.  Photo attributed to Bobak Ha'Eri via Wiki Commons, CC-By-SA-3.0.

Chadwell will have a new quarterback.  ODU fans may rejoice that they do not have to face off against Kaidon Salter after he transferred to Colorado.  However, the Monarchs will still face a familiar foe with quarterback Ethan Vasko.  He is the same local ODU de-commit who defeated the Monarchs twice while playing for the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers after transferring from Kansas.  He has camp competition but is the current favorite to win the job.  Last season he threw an impressive 2,120 yards (8th in SBC) for 14 touchdowns (9th in SBC) and eight interceptions.  His completion percentage was low (54.6%) but he made up for it with deep throws to average 7.8 yards per attempt (7th among starting SBC QBs).  He is also not bad using his legs after rushing for 447 yards and five touchdowns.  You know Chadwell got a good player when Ricky Rahne diligently recruited him out of high school.

Don't let this picture fool you. Vasko (16) played very well against the Monarchs in 2023 and again in '24. In two games, he threw for a total of 547 yards and scored five total touchdowns against ODU.  Photo courtesy of CB Sports Photography.

Vasko should have fun running Chadwell's offense.  It is a weird triple option in the shot gun.  They will have multiple running backs out there and will often have them run deep motions behind the quarterback.  The motions will often give the quarterback a lot of options on who to hand off, pitch or throw the ball to.  It is tough to defend.  But this year there will be new playmakers running the motions.  Top running backs Quinton Cooley and Billy Lucas departed.  There is a battle royal competition to replace them which include Vaughn Blue, Julian Gray, Caden Williams, Darius Copeland, and Georgia Tech transfer Evan Dickens.  These guys are talented.

But the biggest question mark for the offense will be on the offensive line.  Outside of center Aaron Fenimore and guard Harrison Hayes, it lacks experience. However, this unit has a lot of potential.  Overall, this could be one of the best offenses in the C-USA but how well that translates against the Sun Belt is yet to be seen.

Turning to the defense, the spring transfer window took a toll on their defensive front with end TJ Bush and tackles Jay Hardy and Chris Boti departing. Chadwell restocked this group with a few post-spring pickups in Aaron Hester (Florida State) and Joe Strickland (Purdue) to pair with standouts in Bryce Dixon and CJ Bazile. Leading tackler Joseph Carter (88 tackles in ‘24) returns at linebacker, with three starters back to anchor a secondary it should be solid.  Overall this defense should have its way against C-USA competition and be one of the better units in the G5.

The defensive unit was the 4th best in CUSA last year but many expect it to bounce back to dominate its conference.  Photo courtesy of U.S. Army (Public Domain).

Despite the setback last season, Liberty appears to be the team to beat in C-USA.  Phil Steele, Athlon Sports, CFBudge, and Vegas all favor Liberty to win the league.  Vegas predicts 9.5 wins which is actually kind of low considering they do not play any P4 teams and miss Western Kentucky in their conference.  Their toughest games will be against Sun Belt teams including James Madison and Old Dominion, as well as future member Louisiana Tech.  Seriously, LT is one of their tougher games which says a lot about the lack of quality programs in C-USA.

This means, for Liberty, they are not just C-USA contenders but playoff contenders.  To do so, they likely need to go undefeated.  One loss with such an easy schedule and the playoff committee could disregard them.  JMU or ODU can be the team that ruins their entire season.  For the Monarchs, it will be a huge game and ODU's first real test of the season.  Rahne really needs this victory.  He has gone 1-3 in nonconference games in every single season.  With two P4 teams and an FCS team before this game, Rahne may need the victory to post his first 2-2 nonconference record.  The Monarchs can do it and it will feel great to finally get that first FBS victory over this team that must not be named.