Ethan Vasko News, Rumors, Updates - Liberty Flames

Loses QB battle Vasko will not start at quarterback Saturday at James Madison, Matt Zenitz of CBSSports.com reports.

Impact Vasko was locked into a three-way battle for the starting job, but Deshawn Purdie has won the job and will start Saturday's season opener. It's currently unclear if it will be Vasko or Henderson that serves as the primary backup.

SEPTEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Locked in three-QB battle Vasko is competing against Deshawn Purdie and Jaylen Henderson for Liberty's quarterback position, Pete Nakos of On3.com reports.

Impact Not long after Vasko's first season for Liberty, the Flames received transfer commitments from Purdie and Henderson, both with top-level experience. The biggest advantage that Vasko has over them is his experience under Liberty's head coach Jamey Chadwell and offensive coordinator Newland Isaac. But after Vasko finished his 2025 season with a 56.8 completion percentage and an even worse 10-12 TD-INT ratio, it has called into question whether the Flames are willing to give him another chance or test someone else out under center.

AUGUST 31 • ROTOWIRE

Back in action in fall camp Vasko (undisclosed) is back in action in fall camp after undergoing an offseason surgery, according to Ian Curtis of NewsAdvance.com.

Impact Vasko had a rough year as Liberty's starter in 2025, tossing for 1,961 yards, 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while completing 57 percent of his passes. He'll probably compete for the QB1 gig in 2026 with two transfers, Deshawn Purdie and Jaylen Henderson.

AUGUST 5 • ROTOWIRE

Misses spring ball after surgery Vasko underwent surgery on his shoulder this offseason and missed Liberty's spring practice period, per A Sea of Red.

Impact Vasko had a rough year as Liberty's starter in 2025, tossing for 1,961 yards, 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while completing 57 percent of his passes. He did add 258 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, but the senior gunslinger will be looking to take a step forward in 2026. However, he'll have some catching-up to do in fall camp after he misses the entirety of spring.

APRIL 13 • ROTOWIRE

Not suiting up Saturday Vasko (undisclosed) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against Kennesaw State.

Impact Vasko will miss his second game of the campaign and in his absence, Michael Merdinger will get the start at quarterback. As Liberty isn't bowl eligible, Vasko will finish the season having completed 151 of his 266 pass attempts for 1961 yards, 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions and carried the ball 100 times for 258 yards and another five touchdowns across 10 games played.

NOVEMBER 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Drives Flames into the ditch Vasko went 8-for-21 for 141 yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions against La Tech on Saturday. He also ran eight times for 28 yards.

Impact Quietly, Vasko has been one of the biggest misfires among transfer quarterbacks. This game went into overtime, which is remarkable given how bad Vasko was. It's fair, and accurate, to say the quarterback cost Liberty the win, and not for the first time. It would be wise for the Flames to start somebody else next week to start planning for the future.

NOVEMBER 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Burnette has 25-yard TD run in OT, Louisiana Tech rallies to beat Liberty 34-28

Louisiana Tech has pulled off a stunning comeback to beat Liberty 34-28 in overtime

NOVEMBER 23, 2025 • Associated Press

Struggles through another loss Vasko went 17-for-31 for 218 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions against FIU on Saturday. He also ran for 11 yards.

Impact The change in fortune for the Flames this season is easy to diagnosis. They went from a quarterback in Kaidon Salter who was a driving force to a quarterback in Vasko who is usually an obstacle. Excluding beating up on Maine in the opener, Vasko has thrown for six touchdowns against eight picks, and he's rushed for four scores against three lost fumbles.

NOVEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Joe Pesansky rallies Florida International past Liberty 34-27 in OT

Joe Pesansky threw a go-ahead touchdown pass in overtime and Mister Clark intercepted Ethan Vasko to seal Florida International’s 34-27 victory over Liberty

NOVEMBER 16, 2025 • Associated Press

Costly turnovers in loss Vasko went 18-for-35 for 196 yards and an interception against Missouri State on Saturday. He rushed for a TD, but he also lost a fumble.

Impact Vasko's counterpart totaled three touchdowns and didn't turn the ball over. Meanwhile, Vasko himself scored one TD but turned it over twice. Liberty lost 21-17, so the difference in quarterback play is what decided this game. Unfortunately for the Flames, this isn't the first time Vasko has driven the team to a loss.

NOVEMBER 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Clark-to-Gardner in last minute rallies Missouri State past Liberty 21-17

Jacob Clark threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Tristian Gardner with 27 seconds to play to lift Missouri State to a 21-17 win over Liberty

NOVEMBER 8, 2025 • Associated Press

Three TDs in efficient game Vasko went 14-for-20 for 221 yards and two touchdowns and ran five times for 31 yards and a score versus Delaware on Saturday.

Impact It's been a rough season for Vasko, who hadn't had multiple touchdowns in a game since Week 2. This might just be a blip, but next week Liberty faces Missouri State, a team new to FBS football.

NOVEMBER 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Dickens tallies career highs on ground as Liberty's offense breaks out to beat Delaware 59-30

Evan Dickens rushed for career highs of 217 yards and four touchdowns, and Ethan Vasko accounted for three touchdowns as Liberty’s offense led a 59-30 win over Delaware on Saturday

NOVEMBER 1, 2025 • Associated Press

Three turnovers against NMSU Vasko went 20-for-30 for 179 yards and two interceptions against NMSU on Tuesday. He also ran eight times for 19 yards and lost a fumble.

Impact And yet, Liberty managed to win. Vasko is an example of how the wrong QB transfer can really hinder an offense. Kaidon Salter is with Colorado, but Vasko has stepped into the same offense and only managed nine total touchdowns while turning the ball over seven times.

OCTOBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Rushes for TD Vasko went 19-for-33 for 243 yards and rushed 14 times for 31 yards and a touchdown against UTEP on Wednesday.

Impact Vasko was returning from an injury, and he did well enough to help Liberty score a road win. In fact, Vasko provided the Flames with their only touchdown, so they were probably glad to have him back, even if the offense got minimal spark.

OCTOBER 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Ethan Vasko threw for 243 yards and ran for a touchdown in Liberty's 19-8 win over UTEP

Ethan Vasko threw for 243 yards and ran for a touchdown, Eldric Griffin made an interception with 2:37 left in the fourth quarter, and Liberty beat UTEP 19-8

OCTOBER 9, 2025 • Associated Press

Ready to roll Wednesday Vasko (upper body) isn't listed on Liberty's pre-game injury report, meaning the quarterback is available Wednesday night.

Impact Vasko missed Week 5 against Old Dominion, but the Flames' starting gunslinger will limit his absence to one game and return for a Wednesday night clash with the Miners. Vasko has tossed for 763 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions while running for 142 yards and two scores over four games.

OCTOBER 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Hopeful availability for Week 7 Liberty's team is hopeful that Vasko (shoulder) will be available for Wednesday's game at UTEP, Jon Manson of A SeaofRed.com reports.

Impact Vasko injured his right shoulder during Week 4, which indicates why he did not play at Old Dominion in Week 5. The quarterback may not be 100 percent again this season, but Liberty's team is taking strides so that it can have its top QB under center going into future games in this campaign. The team may not hesitate to include Vasko at UTEP, making him questionable going into Wednesday.

OCTOBER 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't play in loss Vasko (upper body) didn't play in Saturday's loss versus Old Dominion.

Impact Vasko missed his first game of the season after suffering an injury during last week's loss versus James Madison. In his absence, Michael Merdinger got the start at quarterback and completed six of his 11 pass attempts for 77 yards. Vasko will now have the team's upcoming bye week to get healthy and will look to make his return Week 7 versus UTEP.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Not dressed in warmups Vasko (upper body) isn't dressed for Liberty in pre-game warmups ahead of Saturday's clash with Old Dominion, per ASeaofRed.com.

Impact Vasko has been a question mark all week, as he was listed as a co-starter with Michael Merdinger on the Flames' depth chart after injuring his arm against James Madison. He was spotted not in uniform ahead of Liberty's kickoff against Old Dominion, suggesting he seems unlikely to play at this point, in which case Merdinger would get the start.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Upper body improving Liberty's head coach Jamey Chadwell said that Vasko (upper body) has improved tremendously over the last couple of days, Jon Manson of ASeaofRed.com reports.

Impact The exact injury that Vasko has not been made clear, with earlier reports of an arm problem, and Manson stating that it is an apparent shoulder or neck issue. What is for certain is that Vasko has an upper-body injury, one that looked to make him definitively out for Saturday's game at Old Dominion. But after a few weekdays to practice, it looks possible that the Liberty team has Vasko available come Week 5.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Liberty quarterback Ethan Vasko's injury improving, status for Old Dominion unclear Liberty coach Jamey Chadwell gave the latest update on starting quarterback Ethan Vasko.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2025 • ROANOKE.COM

Liberty's struggles continue as JMU reigns in Battle of the Blue Ridge: Three takeaways After a key injury to Liberty starting quarterback Ethan Vasko, purple rained on the Flames' parade in the second half as the Dukes raced aw...

SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 • DAILYPROGRESS.COM

Co-starter for Week 5 Vasko (arm) is listed as a co-starter for Saturday's game at Old Dominion, A Sea of Red reports.

Impact Vasko suffered an arm injury during Liberty's previous game, so it appears the Flames' updated depth chart including co-starting quarterbacks is a cautionary measure. Michael Merdinger replaced Vasko post-injury, and Liberty's depth chart suggests that will happen again Saturday if the latter is not ready to go by then.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Barnett scores 3 TDs as James Madison rolls past Liberty 31-13

Alonza Barnett III accounts for three touchdowns to lead James Madison to a 31-13 victory over Liberty

SEPTEMBER 20, 2025 • Associated Press

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