The No. 23 Liberty Flames (9-1) have controlled the first half, currently lead No. 12 Coastal Carolina (11-0), 17-13 at halftime.
It was the Malik Willis show in the first half for the Flames, particularly in the first quarter. The Liberty quarterback had both Liberty touchdowns, both coming on the ground. He has 51 rushing yards and has completed 6 of 12 passing attempts for 75 yards. This is Willis’ first game playing since testing positive for COVID in late November before the previously scheduled Liberty-Coastal game.
Liberty took a 14-0 lead late in the first quarter. This is the largest deficit the Chanticleers have faced all season. Coastal previous trailed Appalachian State by 8, 17-9, on Nov. 21. The Flames had a chance to have a larger lead, as Liberty led 14-0 and were driving near midfield before Malik Willis was unable to connect with Demario Douglas for what would have been a 57-yard touchdown pass. On the next play Willis was intercepted, and Coastal answered with a scoring drive. The Chanticleers would have to settle for a field goal despite driving inside the Liberty 5 yard line, to cut the Liberty margin to 14-3.
The Chanticleers narrowed the margin further with a scoring drive with just 2 minutes left in the first half as Grayson McCall connected with Isaiah Likely for a 25 yard score. The Flames answered with 7 play, 40 yard drive aided by Joshua Mack who had 32 rushing yards on two plays on the drive. Alex Barbir connected for a 37-yard field goal. Liberty left enough time on the clock for Coastal to mount a 7 play, 50 yard drive, ending in a 33-yard field goal on the final play of the first half.
Liberty ended the first half with 173 total yards of offense, 75 passing and 98 rushing. The Flames were 1/5 on 3rd downs and 2/2 on 4th down.
Coastal finished the first half with 234 total yards of offense, 146 passing and 88 rushing. The Chanticleers were 0/5 on 3rd down and 1/2 on 4th down.
Hugh Freeze’s keys for this game were turnovers and converting red zone opportunities into touchdowns. Coastal won the first half turnover battle, 1-0. Both teams were a perfect 3 for 3 on their red zone trips, with Liberty scoring 2 touchdowns and 1 field goal for 17 points and Coastal had 1 touchdown and 2 field goals.
With his play in the first half, Willis broke the Liberty single season rushing record for a quarterback which was previously held by Mike Brown with 854 yards in 2010. Willis entered the game needing 48 yards to break the record.
Liberty receives the ball to begin the second half.
