Liberty met its first ever SEC opponent and got welcomed in a grand way, falling to the Auburn Tigers, 53-0. With the loss, the Flames fall to 4-6 on the season and are eliminated from bowl possibilities. Coach Gill and his squad will return to Lynchburg for the final two games of the season, beginning with New Mexico state next Saturday.
The game was played in front of 81,129 fans, marking it the largest crowd to see a Flames football game in program history. The figure surpassed the attendance figure of 62,234 for the Liberty vs. Virginia Tech game at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Va., on Sept. 3, 2016.
The Flames had its best drive of the afternoon on the opening possession of the game, moving the ball into Auburn territory. It was one of only three possessions that reached Auburn territory on the afternoon. Liberty turned the ball over on downs; however, after a 12 play, 42 yard drive that took nearly 6 minutes.
Auburn responded by moving the ball 31 yards on 6 plays, but Liberty’s defense forced a 53 yard field goal that was made as the Tigers took a 3-0 lead. On the 2nd play of Liberty’s ensuing drive, Buckshot was intercepted as Darrell Williams returned the pass 26 yards for the quick touchdown. The Flames’ next possession went just 2 yards on 3 plays, and Aidan Alves’ punt was blocked for a safety. 12 points in less than a minute of game action and it was all uphill from there for Liberty.
The Tigers would go on to a 32-0 halftime lead that would balloon to 53-0 before the 3rd quarter was over. In the 4th quarter, Auburn was content to just run the ball and milk the clock.
Liberty finished the game with just 7 first downs, 3 of which came on the opening drive, 55 rushing yards and 79 passing yards for a total of 134 yards of offense. The 134 total yards set a program record for fewest yards of offense in a single game, the previous low was 156 yards against Western Carolina in 2001.
Buckshot Calvert finished the game 9-for-28 passing for 79 yards and 2 interceptions. Antonio Gandy-Golden was his favorite target, completing 3 passes to AGG for 22 yards, 2 of those receptions came on the first 3 plays of the game. B.J. Farr had 2 receptions for 27 yards. Frankie Hickson had 10 rushes for 45 yards, including a long of 30. Peytton Pickett and Frank Boyd combined for 29 yards on 14 rushes.
It was the first time Liberty has been shutout since September 24, 2005, ending a streak of 153-straight games without being shutout.
