One of the biggest draws for Hugh Freeze when he decided to become Liberty’s head coach last December was the opportunity to lead the program to its first ever bowl game.
“We want to be the Christopher Columbus of Liberty University,” said Freeze at his introductory press conference on December 7, 2018. “That’s our goal, our focus, and our drive will be on letting those young men experience that. Nothing will give me greater joy than to see our young men get to experience that.”
On Saturday afternoon, Hugh Freeze led the Liberty Flames to a 49-28 win over New Mexico State to win the 7th game of the season and become bowl eligible for the first time ever.
“I am so thrilled for President (Jerry) Falwell Jr. and Beck (Falwell) and the vision that was cast by his father,” Freeze said immediately following the win. “For us to walk in that vision is pretty unique, humbling and special. Ian (McCaw) and his administration is so supportive, and they are just servant leaders, and it is incredible to work for them. To see them get to celebrate in this is pretty unique and special.”
This is Freeze’s third time as head coach of an FBS program, and he has now led each of his teams to bowl eligibility in his first season with the program, as he did so at both Arkansas State and Ole Miss. In addition to President Falwell, former Liberty running back Rashad Jennings and former head coach Turner Gill were both on hand to witness the momentous win and both celebrated in the locker room with the team after the game.
“I am glad Turner Gill is here,” Freeze said of the coach he replaced after Gill retired last year. “He deserves a lot of credit for laying this foundation to start the process of going into FBS.”
It was also Senior Day for Liberty’s accomplished senior class, led by quarterback Buckshot Calvert and wide receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden, but with the weather the way it was – cold and rainy – Freeze turned his running backs to carry the load.
Senior running back Frankie Hickson delivered. He had a career day, finishing with career highs with 29 carries for 196 yards and 4 touchdowns.
“I told Frankie Hickson in practice on Tuesday that I was going to ride him,” said Freeze. “Boy, he ran like a senior should today that cares about this university and cares about the results of this game.”
Frankie and fellow running back Joshua Mack led a rushing attack that had a season best 317 rushing yards. Mack also went over the century mark with 118 yards while also adding a touchdown.
“I had a chance to know Dr. Falwell,” Hickson said of the late Falwell, Sr. “I got a chance to know his vision. I would have never, ever, ever thought that I would be given the chance to fulfill his vision, but God has a plan for all of us. I just want to live in it. Thanks to Coach Freeze and the staff for coming in and changing our culture. It just feels like a perfect story, like we’re living in a movie, but it’s real life and it’s God’s perfect plan for us.”
It wasn’t easy for the Flames, as New Mexico State tied the game at 7 midway through the first quarter. They would stay within one score going into halftime, trailing 20-14, and would keep the game within one or two scores until the 4th quarter.
Walk-on defensive lineman Mason Wolk came up with a game-changing play to start the 4th quarter as he was able to deflect Aggies’ quarterback Josh Adkins and haul in the interception at the 9 yard line. On the next play, Hickson would scamper into the end zone to push the lead to 42-21 and virtually put the game out of reach for the Aggies.
“It is extremely fulfilling,” Freeze said of earning bowl eligibility. “President Falwell and his crew were nice enough when I took the job to let me stay in the mansion, and for a month, I would walk by his father’s office quite frequently and I would think about the vision that was cast four decades or so ago and now God knew I would walk in that vision at some point. It kind of makes you feel like there is a bit of pressure to get it done because you want so badly to see everything he envisioned, and we are going to get there. This was a big step toward that, so it is very fulfilling.”
Being an Independent and no direct bowl tie-in, the Flames will now wait and see where they will play and if they will play in a bowl game.
“No preference,” Hickson said about where he would prefer to play in the postseason. “I just want a bowl game.”
