LYNCHBURG, Va. (AP) Deshawn Purdie threw three touchdown passes to lead Liberty Flames to a 51-15 victory over Ball State Cardinals on Saturday.

Purdie connected twice with Jamari Person for scores and another to Makai Jackson, who finished with four receptions for 88 yards. Purdie was 13-of-20 passing for 211 yards.

Kam Davis, Ethan Vasko and Jaylin Belford added touchdown runs for Liberty (2-1). Jaylen Henderson threw a 21-yard pass to Terron Kellman with 7:29 left to play.

TJ Horton's 2-yard touchdown run capped a nine-play, 75-yard drive for Ball State (1-2) that tied it 7-all late in the first quarter. Purdie later answered with 16- and 7-yard touchdown passes to Person to help the Flames take a 23-7 lead into halftime.

Horton finished with 79 yards rushing on eight carries. He added another short-yardage touchdown run in the third quarter for the Cardinals.

Liberty is 4-0 at home against Mid-American Conference opponents and 8-12 overall.

Ball State: At Kent State on Saturday.

Liberty: At Coastal Carolina on Saturday.

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