Billy Lucas News, Rumors, Updates - Liberty Flames | FOX Sports

Rushes for 59 yards Lucas ran nine times for 59 yards versus Sam Houston on Friday.

Impact Though his carries this season were once again limited by the presence of Quinton Cooley, Lucas has averaged 5.5 yards per carry and he has gotten 120 totes of the proverbial rock. Presuming he plays in the bowl game, Lucas should be able to get over 700 yards on the season, especially if Cooley opts out.

NOVEMBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Rushes for over 100 yards Lucas ran 19 times for 131 yards and a touchdown against WKU on Saturday.

Impact With the passing game not what it was last year, the Flames decided to let both Quinton Cooley and Lucas get a lead back's workload in this game. Both delivered, and for the second season in a row Lucas is over 500 yards even though he's in a secondary role.

NOVEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Rushes for 95 yards Lucas ran 11 times for 95 yards against UMass on Saturday.

Impact With the passing game struggling, Lucas got a chance to get more into the mix behind Quinton Cooley. Of course, the factor all season has been "behind Quinton Cooley." Owing to playing behind one of the best Group of Five backs, Lucas has only gotten double-digit touches five times in nine games, and three of those times he has gotten exactly 11 touches. He's done fairly well with his workload, but he's not going to overshadow Cooley.

NOVEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Rushes for 52 yards Lucas ran 11 times for 52 yards against KSU on Wednesday.

Impact Lucas actually outperformed Quinton Cooley in this game, though he still only got 11 carries. While Lucas is a good back, Cooley has been great with the Flames, so the only two games where Lucas has gotten over 11 carries were against an FCS team and the game that Cooley missed with an injury.

OCTOBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Sees limited touches Lucas ran seven times for 39 yards against FIU on Tuesday.

Impact Lucas is a good back, and on the season he has averaged 4.7 yards per carry and scored three touchdowns. The issue for him is that he shares a backfield with Quinton Cooley, who is one of the best backs in the Group of Five. That means Lucas' touches are going to be capped at a certain level as long as Cooley is healthy.

OCTOBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Rushes for 59 yards Lucas ran 11 times for 59 yards versus ECU on Saturday.

Impact Even though Lucas ran for 104 yards and three touchdowns the week prior, the return of Quinton Cooley sent Lucas back to his usual role: one of the best number-two backs in the Group of Five. Lucas averaged 5.2 yards per carry and scored six touchdowns last season, and with the easiest conference schedule of any FBS team, there's room for him to produce, even with Cooley healthy.

SEPTEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Lucas scores 3 TDs and Liberty extends Conference USA run with 28-10 victory over UTEP

Billy Lucas scored three touchdowns and Liberty continued its successful run in Conference USA with a 28-10 victory over UTEP

SEPTEMBER 15 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Steps up big with three TDs Lucas ran 21 times for 104 yards and three touchdowns Saturday against UTEP.

Impact Quinton Cooley, Liberty's star back, left this one early with an apparent leg injury. It would certainly seem that Lucas is the next man up, and he showed what he can do with a larger role. There's a good chance Lucas will be the lead back against East Carolina in Week 4.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Rushes for 23 yards Lucas ran eight times for 23 yards and had one catch for 18 yards Saturday versus NMSU.

Impact This is a step down after Lucas managed 78 yards and a touchdown on the ground against Campbell in Liberty's opener. He has three catches, though, and has clearly established himself as the number-two back for the Flames. This is an offense that tore it up on the ground in 2023, so that's not a bad role to be in.

SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Finds end zone Lucas ran 17 times for 78 yards and a touchdown while also catching two passes for 17 yards versus Campbell on Saturday.

Impact Lucas actually had the most touches of any Liberty player in this game, but that's because it was an FCS opponent the coaching staff felt like it could handle, and rightfully so it turned out. That being said, while Lucas is behind Quinton Cooley in the pecking order, this offense was so good last season he still got to carry the ball 114 times for 597 yards and six touchdowns.

AUGUST 31 • ROTOWIRE

Finds end zone Lucas ran 10 times for 37 yards and a touchdown Saturday against UMass.

Impact Lucas missed Liberty's last game, so it was good for him to get on the field, even if he was not terribly productive.

NOVEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lucas powers Duquesne to 35-28 OT win over Sacred Heart

Billy Lucas ran for 170 yards and his 8-yard run in overtime lifted Duquesne to a 35-28 victory over Sacred Heart

NOVEMBER 5, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS