In the last scheduled meeting between Liberty and VMI in football, the Flames would outlast the Keydets 17-7.
Peterson had 9 receptions for 118 yards
The Flames would receive the opening kickoff, but were unable to get much going as they were forced to punt on their first drive of the game. After the Keydets were only able to pick up 1 first down on their first drive, Liberty drove into Keydet territory where John Lunsford would miss his 39 yard field goal attempt wide left. Both teams would be unable to put any points on the board on their next couple of drives as they traded punts.
Following a Josh Woodrum interception where the Keydets took over at midfield with 5 minutes left in the 1st half, the Keydets drove into Liberty’s red zone. On 1st and 10 from the Liberty 24, A.J. Augustine’s pass was intercepted in the end zone by Jacob Hagen. The Flames would drive into VMI territory as the clock ran out in the first half. John Lunsford attempted a 56 yard field goal attempt on the last play of the 1st half which sailed wide left.
Walt Aikens and Liberty’s defense was again solid
Quarterback Josh Woodrum was 4/14 passing for 50 yards in the 1st half. Des Rice rushed 11 times for 44 yards. D.J. Abnar had 43 rushing yards on just 3 carries in the 1st half. VMI quarterback A.J. Augustine was 9/16 passing in the 1st half for 58 yards.
Just two plays into the 2nd half, Augustine would be intercepted for the 2nd time of the afternoon, this time by Liberty corner back Walt Aikens. The Flames took over at the VMI 45, and 9 plays later Josh Woodrum would sneak it in from inside the 1 yard line to give Liberty the 7-0 lead with 9:45 left in the 3rd quarter.
Following the Woodrum touchdown, VMI and Liberty would again trade punts. After several misfires between Woodrum and Darrin Peterson deep on the afternoon, the pair would finally connect on a 56 yard play late in the 3rd quarter. The connection would set the Flames up for a 26 yard Lunsford field goal to give Liberty a 10-0 lead at the start of the 4th quarter.
Sigmon made a great catch for an INT from his back
On their ensuing possession, VMI would again thrown an interception. This time by Nick Sigmon who caught the deflected pass while lying on his back. The Flames’ drive would stall at the VMI 27 where John Lunsford would again miss a field goal, this time from 44 yards out. After another VMI punt, Liberty would march downfield in 7 plays and 58 yards. The drive was capped by a 27 yard Josh Woodrum keeper on an option play giving the Flames a 17-0 lead with just over 4 minutes to play in the game.
The Keydets would tack on a touchdown with just over a minute to play which took away Liberty’s chance at back to back shutouts for the first time in school history.
