With football entering its third week and expectations at an all-time high, it’s easy to think nothing about what Liberty football is doing now.
There’s a lot to be excited about for Flames fans, no doubt. They’re 2-0, have probably the best roster in program history, and one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Liberty’s defense has been stifling, and the Flames will likely be favored in every game until Nov. 6. Rumors are swirling about the team joining the AAC or possibly another FBS football conference.
But here’s something else to consider about how far Liberty has come in just a few years.
In 2017, Liberty beat Baylor. When you ask a Liberty fan what comes to mind about the 2017 season, the Baylor game is probably it. But while most Flames fans remember, Buckshot’s waltz into the McLane Stadium endzone, some forget the Flames were throttled by Jacksonville State three weeks later.
Then they lost to Saint Francis. Then to Kennesaw State. After that, Monmouth beat them 56-38. The team also lost to Charleston Southern in the season finale, and the Flames finished the year 6-5.
The next year was better, but there were still trying times for Flames fans. I remember watching former defensive coordinator Robert Wimberly shake his head before the team played Army – muttering about how confusing Army’s offense was to figure out. Liberty lost to Army 38-14, then 47-7 to North Texas on their home field.
Maybe this puts things in perspective: four years ago, a marquee matchup for Liberty was against St. Francis, Presbyterian, or Monmouth. Now, the Flames are 26-point favorite against FBS OId Dominion. An average FCS team only a short while ago, Liberty ended 2020 ranked the no. 17 FBS team in the country.
Hugh Freeze has this program rolling. Here are some stats: Liberty football is 14-1 in its last 15 games. Freeze is 17-1 in home games at Liberty, and he’s off to the best start of any head coach in Liberty’s program history. Liberty hasn’t trailed by more than seven points since Nov. 30, 2019 – which is the second-longest active streak in college football.
For all the talk about Malik Willis and Liberty’s offense, the team’s defense has been just as impressive. Last year the Flames defense finished the year ranked 21st of 130 FBS teams, and this year, they’re ranked 14th through two weeks. That’s a far cry from 2018, when the Flames were ranked 122nd.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a team whose on the trajectory Liberty is. Athletic Director Ian McCaw has Liberty athletics on an unprecedented journey, and Freeze has launched Flames football to new heights. It’s far too early to guess how bowl spots will be filled this season, but don’t bet against Liberty. They just keep winning.
