Here are a few quick-hit notes following No. 23 Liberty’s (10-1) 37-34 overtime win over No. 12 Coastal Carolina (11-1):

  • What a crazy ending to an amazing game. From the Flames’ going for the touchdown in the final minute of the game to win it and Joshua Mack fumbling inside the 1 to the overtime where the Flames blocked the field goal.
  • Elijah James blocked the 42 yard field goal attempt by Coastal in overtime. Flashbacks to the greatest game played in this rivalry back in 2014 when the Flames defeated FCS #1 and 11-0 Coastal Carolina as Liberty earned the Big South’s auto bid to the FCS Playoffs.
  • It was the Malik Willis show as he set several record records in the game. He broke two of Mike Brown’s records. First, Willis surpassed Brown for single season rushing yards by a quarterback. Brown previously had 854 rushing yards in 2010. Then, with his third rushing touchdown of the game, Willis surpassed Brown for most touchdowns responsible for in a single season. Brown had 32 in 2010. Willis also set two Cure Bowl records as he now owns the record for rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns, finishing the game with 4.
  • Willis finished the game completing 19 of 29 passes for 220 yards and 2 interceptions. He also led the team in rushing with 21 attempts for 137 yards and 4 touchdowns.
  • Joshua Mack also had a very good game, outside of his fumble at the end of regulation. He finished the game with 14 rushing attempts for 105 yards.
  • Liberty entered the game with 2,521 yards this season, needing 94 yards to break the team single season record of 2,614 yards set in 2003. The Flames’ 255 rushing yards in the Cure Bowl breaks the school record.
  • Credit to Alex Barbir who made all three of his field goal attempts, which were obviously critical, in the game. His 44 yard field goal in overtime proved to be the difference maker.
  • With the win, the Flames become the first team to ever win two FBC Mortgage Cure Bowl titles.
  • Liberty joins Appalachian State as the only teams transition from FCS to FBS football to ever win a bowl game during each of their first two seasons of full bowl eligibility.
  • This is Liberty’s first ever victory over an FBS Top 25 opponent in the Flames’ third try.
  • The Flames match the program record for most victories in a season, tying the 2008 team who finished 10-2.
  • Liberty now owns an 8-7 series advantage in the all-time series with Coastal Carolina. The Flames are now 6-1 against Sun Belt teams.
  • Coastal Carolina’s 12-game overall winning streak, the longest active streak among FBS teams, is over.