Liberty quarterback Ethan Vasko was injured in the Flames’ Week 4 game against James Madison and missed the following game against Old Dominion. With Liberty sitting at 1-4, the team hopes their starting quarterback can return for their pivotal Week 7 matchup on Wednesday night against UTEP. Here’s the latest on Vasko’s status.
Will Ethan Vasko Play in Week 7?
Vasko has been dealing with a shoulder injury he suffered early in Liberty’s loss against JMU. He is a game-time decision for Wednesday night’s crucial Conference USA matchup against UTEP.
Liberty was on bye in Week 6, giving Vasko extra time to recover. On October 2, head coach Jamey Chadwell gave an update on his quarterback, saying that while Vasko likely won’t be 100% this season, the team is doing everything possible to have him play against UTEP.
“If there’s any way for him to play, he’ll play,” Chadwell said. “So we got to make sure we try and get him as healthy as possible. I don’t know if he’ll ever be throughout the season get back to where he’s 100%. He’ll have to play through some pain and stuff, but our plan is, you know, hopefully that if everything continues to go well, he will play.”
Despite Liberty’s 1-4 record through its first five games, Vasko has played well, throwing for 763 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions. In his three and a half games, he ranks as the 31st quarterback in the country according to PFSN’s CFB QBi metric.
While it looks like Vasko will play Wednesday night, if he can’t go, the Flames will turn to Michael Merdinger, who has been handling quarterback duties in Vasko’s absence.
Who is Michael Merdinger?
Merdinger transferred to Liberty this offseason after spending his freshman season in 2024 with the North Carolina Tar Heels.
He was a three-star recruit in the 2024 cycle and was ranked the No. 71 quarterback in the class by 247Sports. As a freshman, he completed nine passes for 86 yards and one interception with the Tar Heels.
In Vasko’s absence, Merdinger started in the Flames’ loss to Old Dominion and struggled, completing six passes for 77 yards as the offense managed only seven points.
With him under center, Liberty’s offense ranked 94th in the country in Week 5 according to PFSN’s CFB OFFi metric. If the Flames hope to get back on track offensively and Vasko misses the UTEP game, Merdinger will need to play much higher.
As of now, it looks like Vasko will play. Liberty faces UTEP today, October 8, with kickoff at 8:00 p.m. ET and coverage on CBS Sports Network.
