Liberty prepares for season opener against James Madison

Liberty opens its 54th football season with the second edition of the Battle of the Blue Ridge, traveling to James Madison on Saturday for a noon kickoff and the teams’ 20th all-time meeting. The Dukes won the first matchup on Sept. 20, 2025 at Williams Stadium, 31-13, moving to a 13-6 advantage in the series. Liberty, meanwhile, comes in with momentum from its most recent trip to Harrisonburg—a 26-21 win in the opening round of the 2014 FCS Playoffs. The Flames have won six straight season openers and eight of their last nine lid-lifters.