The Shadow
LYNCHBURG, Va. (VR) – Following the Flames’ conference-opening road win at Delaware, Liberty had three players honored by Conference USA.
Earlier today, Conference USA named offensive lineman Alex Birchmeier as CUSA Offensive Lineman of the Week, linebacker Aidan Vaughan was named the CUSA Defensive Player of the Week and kicker Chase Reeves was named the CUSA Special Teams Player of the Week.
This is the second week in a row the Flames have taken home CUSA Offensive Lineman and Defensive Player of the Week honors. Last week, offensive lineman D.J. Geth and safety Ronald Moore, Jr., were spotlighted by the league.
The trio of players helped the Flames open Conference USA play with a 30-14 win at Delaware on Friday night. The victory moved Liberty to 4-1 this year after its fourth win in a row.
Vaughan led the Flames’ stout defensive effort, finishing the game with a career high nine tackles. This was the linebacker’s third game this season with seven or more tackles.
The fifth-year player helped the Flames shut out Delaware through the first three quarters of the game, allowing Liberty to build a 30-0 lead. Liberty also limited Delaware’s rushing attack to 102 yards on 25 carries, 4.1 yards per carry. The 102 rushing yards were the second fewest the Flames have surrendered in 2026
The native of Wixom, Mich., recorded the third highest tackling grade from PFF.com during Week 5 for a CUSA defender (82.9).
Birchmeier led the Flames in PFF.com grade for run blocking (69.7) and PFF.com grade for pass blocking (84.2) against Delaware. He also ranked second in PFF.com grade for pass blocking in Conference USA during Week 5, falling just behind teammate Geth (84.8).
The native of Ashburn, Va., helped Liberty rush for a season high 282 yards, last Friday night. Liberty has now rushed for 200 or more yards in each of the last three games. The Flames’ rushing totals have increased each game during the 2026 season.
Liberty finished the week as the top-rated offensive line in CUSA as ranked by PFF.com in pass blocking efficiency (94.2).
As the Flames’ starting right guard, Birchmeier has helped protect starting quarterback Deshawn Purdie, who has not thrown an interception in 2026. Purdie leads Conference USA and ranks No. 34 nationally in passing efficiency (161.7).
Reeves recorded a season-high 12 points during Liberty’s CUSA opening victory at Delaware. He finished the day 3-for-3 on field goal attempts, setting a new season high for the sixth-year player.
One of Reeves’ three field goals was from 47-yards out, his longest field goal of the season. The kicker remains a perfect 9-of-9 on field goal attempts this season and he has a field goal made in all five games in 2026.
The native of Granite City, Ill., leads all Conference USA kickers in scoring in 2026 (8.2 points per game). He also leads the CUSA in field goals (9) and field goals per game (1.80) and ranks No. 9 in the country in field goals per game.
What’s Next:
Weekday CUSA games come to Lynchburg next week as the Flames host Sam Houston for a Midweek on the Mountain game, Thursday night, at Williams Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. the game will be broadcast on ESPNU and LFSN Radio.
The home team has won each of the games in the brief two-game series history, including a 21-16 win for the Flames over the Bearkats on October 5, 2023,7 in Lynchburg. The victory kept the Flames undefeated season live in 2023 and helped the Flames win the Conference USA regular season title and host the CUSA Football Championship game.
