No. 23 Liberty (13-1) falls from the ranks of the unbeatens with a 45-6 loss to No. 8 Oregon (12-2) on New Year’s Day at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona during the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.

After winning the coin toss and opting to receive the opening kickoff, Liberty had a very successful opening drive. The Flames went 75 yards in 6 plays, getting into the end zone on a 17-yard pass by Kaidon Salter to Bentley Hanshaw. A 34-yard run by Aaron Bedgood was the big play of the drive. After connecting on all 65 of his extra points this season entering the game, Nick Brown did miss this PAT as Liberty grabbed the early 6-0 lead.

The Ducks responded with an 8 play, 60 yard drive, but had to settle for a 37-yard field goal after Bryce Dixon batted down Bo Nix’s pass on 3rd down. The teams would exchange punts the next few possessions, with Liberty leading at the end of the first quarter, 6-3. In the 2nd quarter, the game quickly shifted in Oregon’s favor. Nix threw for four touchdowns during the 15-minute period as Oregon took the lead and extended it to 31-6 entering halftime.

2nd half Oregon would score touchdowns on their first two two drives of the second half, extending the lead to 45-6, ensuring there would be no comeback for the Flames.

GAME SHIFTS IN 2ND QUARTER

Liberty controlled the first quarter, with the game going nearly close to perfect for the undefeated Flames. Liberty outgained the Ducks, 130-88, in the opening period and had a 7-3 edge in first downs. The Flames also controlled the ball for over 9 minutes of the opening period and led the game 6-3.

Things would shift after the quarter break though. Oregon scored touchdowns on all four drives in the second period, to take a commanding 31-6 lead at halftime, virtually ending the game then.

The Ducks had 280 total yards in the second period alone, while holding Liberty to 50 yards of offense. After the touchdown drive to open the game, the Flames had to punt on four straight possessions. Oregon would record the first turnover of the game on the Flames’ final first half possession, a Kaidon Salter interception after his pass, intended for Treon Sibley, was dropped and picked off by the Ducks’ Steve Stephens IV.

CHADWELL OPTS NOT TO GO FOR IT ON 4TH DOWN

Late in the first quarter, with the Flames leading 6-3 and having moved the ball to their own 45-yard line, Liberty faced a 4th and 2. Flames’ head coach Jamey Chadwell opted to punt rather than keep his offense on the field. From that point on, all the momentum went to Oregon while the Flames’ were unable to string together several successful plays in a row to move the ball.

The Flames also had difficulty stopping the high powered Oregon offense, as was expected by most. It led to the 28-0 second period for the Ducks.

FLAMES’ PERFECT SEASON COMES TO AN END

Liberty entered the game on Monday as one of only three unbeaten teams in the country, joining No. 1 Michigan and No. 2 Washington. The Flames would see their perfect record come to an end in the Fiesta Bowl, as the team finishes the year at 13-1.

Despite the loss, it was still a special season for the Flames and one that will long be remembered. Liberty accomplished many firsts and set numerous program records. The team achieved its first ever Top 25 ranking in the College Football Playoff rankings, reached a New Year’s Six Bowl for the first time ever, won its first ever FBS conference championship while winning a program record 13 games.

A season to remember.