Liberty (2-0, 1-0 CUSA) come from behind, scoring two touchdowns in the final 5:12 to defeat New Mexico State (1-1, 0-1), 30-24 on Saturday night in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
The Flames fell behind early, going down 10-0 and 17-3 in the first half to the home-standing Aggies. It marked the first time Liberty has trailed by more than 7 points in a regular season game under head coach Jamey Chadwell.
After allowing points to New Mexico State on its first three drives, Liberty’s defense was able to stop the Aggies on its final two possessions of the first half. It allowed the Flames to get back within striking distance. However, Liberty had to settle for field goals on all three of its trips to the red zone in the opening 30 minutes. Fortunately, Colin Karhu connected on all three of his attempts, hitting from 39, 31, and 29 yards.
The Flames went into the locker room for the halftime break with a 17-9 deficit. This is only the second time in 16 games under Chadwell, LU has trailed at half with the only other time being in the Fiesta Bowl against Oregon.
The second half became a defensive battle with neither team able to move the ball. Both teams exchanged punts throughout the second half, on 7 of the first 8 possessions of the half. The only one that was not a punt was a missed Karhu field goal from 45 yards.
Liberty’s defense would get a huge play when Quinton Reese broke through the line to sack Parker Awad, causing him to fumble the ball. Liberty’s CJ Bazile would pick it up and run it back into the end zone, to bring the score to 17-15. The Flames would attempt the two point conversion, but Kaidon Salter was stopped for no gain as he rolled to his left. The Aggies would respond with a touchdown drive to make it a two score game.
The Flames quickly responded, scoring the team’s first points on offense of the night. Liberty went 6 plays and 82 yards in just over 2 minutes, capped by a 27-yard Quinton Cooley touchdown run, cutting the deficit to 24-22 with 5:12 to play.
Liberty then forced a punt and took over at its own 10 with 2:59 left in the game. The Flames would March down the field and score a touchdown to take the lead for the first time on the night when Cooley ran in from 44 yards out with just over a minute remaining. The Liberty defense would then hold and secure the victory.
FLAMES FIGHT BACK, COME FROM BEHIND TO WIN
This game was unlike any under head coach Jamey Chadwell’s tenure here at Liberty. The Flames fell behind in the first quarter and could never find their momentum until the final few minutes of the game. New Mexico State took it to the Flames in the first quarter, taking a two touchdown lead. They forced Liberty to settle for field goals while scoring on their first three drives.
The Flames never flinched though. They did what winners do and that’s find ways to win even win it’s not pretty.
Liberty entered the fourth quarter trailing for the first time in the regular season under Chadwell. It didn’t matter though as Liberty won the Flames quarter and picked up the road victory in conference play.
There are things that will need to be fixed including the penalties that continue to be out of hand. The Flames were whistled for 11 penalties for 122 yards including several unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. Still, a win is a win and the Flames are happy to head home 2-0.
OFFENSE WAS INCONSISTENT
The offense was inconsistent and as bad as we’ve seen in 16 games under Chadwell until the final five minutes of the game. In the first half, the team was able to move the ball but had to settle for field goals. In the second half, the offense couldn’t get anything going and had to settle for punts.
The team struggled rushing the ball consistently throughout much of the game, not until late eclipsing the 100 yard rushing mark before finishing the game with 217. Quinton Cooley had just 3 carries in the first half but he would finish with 12 for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns, including the game winner.
Kaidon Salter was 16 for 29 passing for 256 yards while rushing 10 times for 23 yards. Not terrible stats but not what we’ve grown accustomed to from #7. His play was inconsistent at times, and the receivers didn’t always help their quarterback, dropping passes at inopportune times.
DEFENSE RESPONDED AND GOT THE JOB DONE
After New Mexico State scored on its first three drives of the game to take a 17-3 lead, the Liberty defense stiffened. The Flames would force 6 straight punts before the 7th drive ended in defensive points when Quinton Reese sacked Parker Awad, forcing a fumble, and CJ Bazile scooped it up and ran it back for the score. Their play allowed the Flames to stay within striking distance while the offense sputtered along until it figured things out.
The defensive front was able to get pressure in key moments, coming up with key sacks and quarterback pressures. Just like the rest of the team, there still needs to be improvement made and consistency from the beginning, but it was a step in the right direction for that unit.
Up Next
Liberty returns home in Week 3 for its CUSA home opener, taking on the UTEP Miners. UTEP is currently 0-2 on the season after opening the year with a 40-7 loss at Nebraska and then falling to FCS Southern Utah, 27-24, in overtime. The Flames defeated UTEP, 42-28, in the regular season finale for both teams last season.
