College Football · FBS · Week 2 · Recap
Liberty Beat Gardner-Webb 24-23
The Liberty Flames edged the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs 24-23 at Williams Stadium (VA) in Lynchburg, VA on Saturday, September 12, 2026 in FBS college football Week 2 action.
Gardner-Webb led 20-17 at halftime. Liberty came back after the break to take the win. The second quarter swung it: Gardner-Webb outscored its opponent 14-3.
Liberty moves to 1-1, while Gardner-Webb falls to 0-3.
Top performers
Cole Pennington (GWEB, QB): 16/38, 186 YDS, 2 INT
Randy Young (GWEB, RB): 4 CAR, 75 YDS, 1 TD
Kory Jones (GWEB, WR): 3 REC, 51 YDS
Deshawn Purdie (LIB, QB): 6/17, 122 YDS, 1 TD
Peyton Jones (LIB, RB): 13 CAR, 76 YDS
Makai Jackson (LIB, WR): 2 REC, 69 YDS, 1 TD
Scoring summary
- Q1 11:54GWEBTyler Simpson 41 Yd Field Goal3-0
- Q1 11:07LIBMakai Jackson 65 Yd pass from Deshawn Purdie3-7
- Q1 8:48LIBJaylon Coleman 20 Yd Run3-14
- Q1 5:12GWEBTyler Simpson 35 Yd Field Goal6-14
- Q2 9:11GWEBSabin McLaughlin 35 Yd Fumble Return13-14
- Q2 5:44GWEBRandy Young 65 Yd Run20-14
- Q2 0:00LIBChase Reeves 30 Yd Field Goal20-17
- Q3 2:34GWEBTyler Simpson 27 Yd Field Goal23-17
- Q4 2:34LIBDarius Copeland 54 Yd pass from Jaylen Henderson23-24
Team stats
| GWEB | LIB | |
|---|---|---|
| Total yards | 304 | 379 |
| First downs | 23 | 18 |
| Third down | 5-14 | 2-12 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 2 |
| Possession | 30:52 | 29:08 |