Liberty Flames defeat Ball State Cardinals 51-15: Recap & Betting Results
Sat, Sep 19, 2026 · NCAAF · Ball State Cardinals 15, Liberty Flames 51
The Liberty Flames beat the Ball State Cardinals 51-15 on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Williams Stadium (VA). The Liberty Flames covered the spread as 14.5-point favorites. The game went over the closing total of 49, with 66 points combined.
Ball State Cardinals vs. Liberty Flames final score and game recap
The Liberty Flames led 13-7 after the first quarter and 23-7 at halftime. They outscored the Ball State Cardinals 28-8 in the second half, 14-0 in the fourth quarter alone. They led at the end of every quarter.
The leading performers, from the box score:
- TJ Horton (Ball State Cardinals): 8 carries for 79 yards, 2 rushing touchdowns.
- Keldric Luster (Ball State Cardinals): 10/21 passing for 93 yards, 0 touchdowns, 0 interceptions.
- Deshawn Purdie (Liberty Flames): 13/20 passing for 211 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions.
- Makai Jackson (Liberty Flames): 4 catches for 88 yards, 1 receiving touchdown.
Who covered the spread in Ball State Cardinals vs. Liberty Flames?
The Liberty Flames covered the spread as 14.5-point favorites, winning by 36 points.
The spread opened and closed at Liberty Flames -14.5.
Did Ball State Cardinals vs. Liberty Flames go over or under the total?
The game went over: 66 points combined against a closing total of 49, over by 17. 30 of the 66 points came in the first half.
The total opened at 49.5 and closed at 49.
Ball State Cardinals vs. Liberty Flames game prop results: first half, first quarter and team totals
AiQ does not pick game props. This is how the sportsbook markets settled.
- First-half spread: Liberty Flames -7.5 covered, paying -112.
- First-quarter total 9.5: the over, paying -140, with 20 points scored.
- Liberty Flames team total 31.5: the over, paying -111, with 51 scored.
- Ball State Cardinals team total 16.5: the under, paying +104, with 15 scored.
- First-half moneyline: Liberty Flames won the first half, paying -440.
- First-quarter moneyline: Liberty Flames won the first quarter, paying -410.
- First-half total 24.5: the over, paying -105, with 30 points scored.
Ball State Cardinals vs. Liberty Flames odds: sportsbook value and line movement
Shortly before the start, the consensus moneyline had the Ball State Cardinals at +470 and the Liberty Flames at -650. With the bookmaker's margin removed, that made the Liberty Flames a 83% favorite. The Liberty Flames won as the favorite at -650: $15.38 profit on a $100 bet.
The total moved down from 49.5 to 49, and the game went over.
Ball State Cardinals and Liberty Flames betting trends: 2026 season
This result left the Ball State Cardinals 1-2 in the 2026 regular season (1-0 at home, 0-2 away or at neutral sites). Against the spread, they covered in 1 of 3 games with a closing line on file. All three of their games with a closing total went over.
This result left the Liberty Flames 2-1 in the 2026 regular season (2-0 at home, 0-1 away or at neutral sites). Against the spread, they covered in 1 of 3 games with a closing line on file. Their games went over the closing total 1 time and under 2 times. That made it two straight wins for the Liberty Flames.
What's next for Ball State Cardinals and Liberty Flames?
Next for the Ball State Cardinals: at the Kent State Golden Flashes on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Next for the Liberty Flames: at the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers on Thursday, September 24, 2026.