The final non-playoff bowl game of the college football season kicks off on Saturday when Buffalo takes on Liberty in the Bahamas Bowl. More than a month has passed since these teams last took the field. The Bulls’ roster has remained largely intact since then while the Flames have lost a few key contributors to the transfer portal, among them starting quarterback Kaidon Salter.
Buffalo (8-4) is on a season-best four-game winning streak as it heads to Nassau for its second Bahamas Bowl appearance. With a win, the Bulls can secure their second-best season in program history in their first year under head coach Pete Lembo.
After a hot start, Liberty (8-3) limped to the finish line. A shocking upset against Kennesaw State as a four-touchdown favorite appeared to be the turning point for the Flames, who started out 5-0 and went 3-3 the rest of the way. Coach Jamey Chadwell’s team scored a season-low 18 points in the regular-season finale, a loss at Sam Houston.
Liberty leads the all-time series with Buffalo 3-0. The Flames blew out the Bulls, 55-27, in Buffalo a season ago behind Salter’s six total touchdowns.