Liberty vs. Delaware Recap: Kam Davis Scores Twice, Liberty Covers

Liberty beat Delaware 30-14, and the game was over well before the Blue Hens scored. Liberty built a 30-0 lead on three Chase Reeves field goals and three rushing touchdowns, ran 47 times for 282 yards and held the ball for 38:32. Delaware's two touchdowns both came in the final 9:38. Five DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game.

What cashed

Liberty moneyline (-270 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Delaware's quarterback situation was unsettled coming in, and backup Braden Streeter had completed 2 of 16 passes for 9 yards with 2 interceptions at Virginia. Liberty had run for 945 yards over its previous two games. - What happened: Liberty led wire to wire. Delaware cycled through three passers, EJ Archield Jr., Streeter and Tyler Bell, and converted 2-13 on third down. - Worth watching: Quarterback uncertainty on the other side is one of the cleaner reasons to back a favorite. The price was steep, which is why we also looked at the spread.

Liberty -6.5 (-120 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Liberty had held its last three opponents under 50% passing and allowed 18 second-half points all year, while Delaware converts 33% on third down. - What happened: Liberty won by 16, covering by 9.5. The defense forced two turnovers, including a Deuce Spurlock interception, and Liberty committed none. - Worth watching: A run-heavy team that protects the ball and owns time of possession tends to grind out margin. That profile is worth a look on the spread when the opponent struggles on third down.

ALT: Liberty -3.5 (alt, targeted -170 to -200): CASHED - Our read: Same quarterback edge, with three extra points of cushion. Liberty had scored 24+ in each of its last three games. - What happened: Liberty scored 30 and won by 16, clearing the alt by 12.5. - Worth watching: The alt offered protection against a backdoor finish, and Delaware did score twice late. Buying points makes the most sense when the main read is about game control rather than a blowout.

Kam Davis anytime TD (-195 at FanDuel): CASHED - Our read: Davis had the shortest touchdown price on FanDuel's board. He ran for 166 yards in his previous game and was averaging 8.4 yards a carry over his last three. - What happened: Davis scored twice. His 56-yard run in the second quarter made it 13-0, and his 5-yard run early in the fourth made it 30-0. He finished with 17 carries for 147 yards, 8.6 a carry. - Worth watching: Davis is the lead back in an offense that ran 47 times. Big-play ability plus goal-line work keeps his touchdown props in play.

ALT: Delaware under 25.5 team total points (alt, targeted -170 to -200): CASHED - Our read: Delaware's starter was playing hurt and the backup had struggled badly at Virginia. The alt gave four points of cushion over Delaware's main team total. - What happened: Delaware scored 14, staying 11.5 under the alt, and was shut out until Liberty led 30-0. The Blue Hens finished with 102 rushing yards on 25 carries. - Worth watching: Team total unders on a shaky offense are worth a look, but late garbage-time scores are the risk. The extra cushion covered both of Delaware's fourth-quarter touchdowns here.

How the game played out

Liberty's offense did its work on the ground. Deshawn Purdie completed 13 of 20 passes for 157 yards, with Makai Jackson catching 5 passes for 90 yards. Jaylon Coleman added 53 rushing yards on 5 carries and Peyton Jones scored from 3 yards out late in the first half.

Trends to watch

• Liberty ran 47 times for 282 yards. Its backs keep producing, and Davis is the one to watch on rushing and touchdown lines.
• Delaware used three quarterbacks and converted just 2-13 on third down. Until the position settles, its team totals lean low.
• Liberty committed 9 penalties for 105 yards. Clean that up and the margins could get bigger.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. Read up on the moneyline and point spread, or visit the college football hub.