{
  "id": 13008249,
  "title": "Deshawn Purdie, Ethan Vasko guide Liberty to a 35-3 romp over Sam Houston",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/deshawn-purdie-ethan-vasko-guide-liberty-to-a-35-3-romp-over-sam-13008249",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-09T02:27:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/deshawn-purdie-ethan-vasko-guide-022746179.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Liberty University secured a commanding 35-3 victory over Sam Houston State on Thursday night, extending their winning streak to five games. Quarterback Deshawn Purdie contributed significantly to the win, completing 10 of 14 passes for 114 yards and adding 57 yards on seven rushes. He capped off an eight-play, 75-yard drive with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Randolph, giving Liberty an early 7-0 lead. Running back Ethan Vasko was instrumental for Liberty, scoring two of their four rushing touchdowns and contributing 50 yards on back-to-back rushes. He also scored on a 3-yard run early in the fourth quarter, extending the lead to 21-3. Liberty's defense held strong, forcing Sam Houston to turn the ball over on downs multiple times in the second half. Kam Davis added 67 yards and a touchdown on 10 rushes, while Jaylon Coleman led the ground attack with 92 yards on seven carries. The Flames' 297 rushing yards set a new Conference USA home opener record. Liberty's victories against Sam Houston mark their 26th win in conference home games under head coach Jeff Traylor, during his seventh season with the program. Sam Houston will next host Western Kentucky on Wednesday, while Liberty travels to Kennesaw State on October 22.",
  "summary": "(AP) — Deshawn Purdie threw a touchdown pass before Ethan Vasko scored two of Liberty's four rushing touchdowns and the Flames spoiled Sam Houston's Conference USA opener with a 35-3 victory on Thursday night.Purdie completed 10 of 14 passes for 114 yards to help Liberty (5-1, 2-0) extend its winning streak to five.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Deshawn Purdie, Ethan Vasko guide Liberty to a 35-3 romp over Sam Houston",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/deshawn-purdie-ethan-vasko-guide-liberty-to-a-35-3-romp-over-sam",
        "published": "2026-10-09T02:28:55.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}