In a sunny noon game Liberty University came out against Army West Point in hopes of bouncing back from a forgettable previous week against Louisiana-Lafayette, but failed to overcome the triple-option offense in a 31-16 loss.
- Again in a surprise turn of events, Liberty chose to receive after winning the coin toss.
- Army shows their first signs of a gritty triple-option offense as on their first drive of the game they marched down the field, but settled for a 26-yard field goal. Army lead 3-0.
- In an attempt to catch Army’s special teams off guard, Liberty faked a punt with punter Max Morgan but threw the ball straight to the Army defender for an interception.
- Following Liberty’s questionable call at mid-field, Army took possession over at Liberty’s 45-yard line. After a slew of rushing plays, Army opens it up with a deep pass up the middle for a 34-yard passing touchdown. Army leads 10-0.
- Liberty’s offense looks to be waking up with a impressive 32-yard pass by quarterback Malik Willis to wide receiver C.J. Daniels.
- Despite the electric play between Willis and Daniels, Army forced a turnover on downs.
- Army didn’t waste any time with a five play drive capping it off with a 19-yard rushing touchdown. Army lead 17-0.
- In their fourth time trying to convert on fourth down, Liberty failed making them 0/4 on fourth down conversions.
- Army started on their own 45-yard line but marched down the field to score another rushing touchdown, highlighted by a 51-yard pass up the middle. Army lead 24-0.
- On Liberty’s fifth drive of the day, they finally found a way to put points on the board with a 36-yard field goal. Arm lead 24-3.
- Liberty giving Army great starting field position has been the story of today’s game and has paved the way for Army to score three touchdowns in the first half. However, Army was tested for the first time all day to march down the field and Liberty managed to stop them forcing a punt. This was Army’s first punt of the game.
- At halftime Army lead 24-3. Army was in control of the game at the halfway point.
- Army came out in the second half continuing to have their ways against Liberty’s defense, in a 14-play drive that last eight minutes and 15 seconds off the game clock, finishing off with a rushing touchdown. Army lead 31-3.
- Through two and a half quarters, Liberty finally finds a way to the end zone with an eight-play drive that was finished off with a 14-yard passing touchdown from Willis to wide receiver Noah Frith.
- The identity seems to be setting in for Liberty after scoring their second touchdown of the game in the third quarter, but Head Coach Hugh Freeze questionably went for a two-point conversion to try and tighten the game and failed the conversion. Army lead 31-16.
- Despite Army ending their drive with a punt, they killed nearly six minutes of game clock off in the the fourth quarter and managed to give the ball back to Liberty inside their own one-yard line to start the Flames’ drive.
- Liberty tried to build off the sliver of life they shined, but failed to do so.
- Army kept finding ways through their triple-option offense to march down the field with only three drives not ending in a score.
- This will be the last home game in Williams Stadium for 25 seniors, including star quarterback Malik Willis and possibly last game for them in a Liberty uniform barring selection day for a bowl game.
Liberty will wait for selection day Dec. 5 to see if they make a bowl game after a three game losing streak. Liberty’s final regular season record is 7-5.
