Here are a few quick-hit notes following #25 Liberty’s 38-35 over Virginia Tech:
- Alex Barbir knocks it in from 51 yards out to win the game.
- Liberty has now set a program record for best start in school history at 7-0.
- This is Liberty’s first ever win over Virginia Tech.
- Liberty is now 2-0 against ACC opponents this season, the first two wins over an ACC team in school history.
- The Flames have now won 9 straight games dating back to last season.
- The first 24+ minutes of the game was perfect for the Flames. Liberty scored on its opening drive, taking nearly 6 minutes off the clock, to take a 7-0 lead. The defense then forced a three & out on the following possession. Liberty’s third drive of the game was a 7+ minute possession that ended in a touchdown and put the Flames up 14-3 with 7:25 left in the first half. Tech responded with their first touchdown of the afternoon, and Liberty had possession with a 14-10 lead as the clock ticked under 6 minutes left in the first half.
- That’s when Malik Willis was sacked in the backfield and fumbled on the play. Not a terrible play by him, but he’s had a problem with fumbles this season. Two plays later and Virginia Tech takes their first lead of the game at 17-14 with just over 4 minutes left in the game.
- Willis then led Liberty on a 7 play 65 yard drive to move Liberty into a first and goal at the 4 with 2 minutes to play in the half as the Flames were looking to take the lead going into the locker room. On 2nd and goal, Willis scrambled to his right and was being sacked on the play. As he was falling to the grass, he tried to throw the ball away to save the 5 yards on the play, but the ball fell to the turf and a VT player picked it up. The refs blew the play dead and ruled Willis down. After review, the play was overturned. The Hokies then were able to add on a field goal at the end of the half, taking a 20-14 lead.
- A great response by Liberty in the second half, getting a stop on Tech’s opening drive, and then a touchdown scoring drive to take the lead 21-20.
- After Tech take it at 28 with less than 6 minutes to play. The Flames got back ahead 35-28 with 1:41 left to play on a Peytton Pickett 9 yard touchdown run.
- Liberty will return to action next Saturday against Western Carolina. Kickoff from Williams Stadium in Lynchburg is scheduled for noon on ESPN3. It will be the FCS Catamounts’ first game of the season.
*photo courtesy Liberty Athletics
