Liberty comes out strong in their season opener versus Campbell to go on and win, 48-7. Campbell put up a good fight in the second quarter, but once Liberty got adjusted, they found a way to pull away from former Big South rival. This now extends Liberty’s home-game winning streak to 12 wins in a row, setting a program record.
- Campbell opened up the game with a slow start, and made a couple quick penalties, with questionable decision making against Liberty’s defense. This gave Liberty’s defense a solid start to the game, most notably, JaVon Scruggs making his presence known all over the field.
- Once Liberty got their hands on the rock for their first drive of the game, they relied on Josh Mack to get them a few yards, but finished the job with a touchdown pass, by redshirt-junior quarterback Malik Willis to redshirt-freshman wide receiver Demario Douglas for 35-yards. Willis coming in looking poised and confident to start this 2021 season, putting Liberty up 7-0.
- After Campbell’s turnover on downs, Liberty wasted no time to score on their second drive. Willis brought Liberty near the endzone, after a promising 40-yard pass to senior wide receiver. Mack carried the ball six-yards, then fumbled, but redshirt-freshman wide receiver C.J. Daniels recovered the ball in the endzone for a Flames touchdown, extending the lead to 14-0.
- The first quarter was all Liberty’s, but once the clock entered the second, Campbell woke up and made multiple stops on the defensive side, while tightening Liberty’s lead 14-7 before halftime.
- The first half of Liberty’s opening day left a little to be desired, with the defensive front not finding their way to Campbell’s backfield enough. While the offensive side, slowed down a bit after the first two initial scoring drives.
- This was not the explosive Liberty team we all saw in 2020, but after halftime Liberty looked even more comfortable, transitioning their gameplan to a more run-game centered offense.
- Liberty opened their first second-half drive with a short 28-yard drive, after Campbell had a pooch kick, and redshirt junior wide receiver Brody Brumm returned the ball 28-yards. Despite a few passing plays, they bull-rushed their way into the endzone, finishing with a 1-yard rushing touchdown to extend the lead 27-7.
- On their second drive of the second-half, Liberty decided to change their gameplan from a pass heavy offense to a simple run-gameplan. T.J. Green showcased his abilities with 6 rushes for 40 yards on one drive, but Shedro Louis finished the job with a 36-yard run to extend the lead 34-7.
- Finally Liberty finding their way to a comfortable lead, they wanted to see some freshmen get their feet wet on both sides of the ball. Most notably, freshman defensive end Khristian Zachary showcased his explosive presence and experiencing his first taste of the backfield, pressuring Campbell’s offense.
- Head Coach Hugh Freeze felt it was the right time to take out Malik Willis in the fourth, for redshirt-freshman quarterback Johnathan Bennett.
- Bennett showcased his arm, with a 27-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Jaivian Lofton for his first-career touchdown reception.
- Following that scoring drive, Bennett shined again with a 28-yard pass to juco transfer tight end Stetson Moore, to record his first career reception. After that sizable gain, Bennett got a rushing touchdown of his own, putting away this game 48-7.
- Liberty’s defense had a fire lit underneath them to limit Campbell’s offense to 81-total-yards, compared to their 188-total-yards.
Liberty will be heading to Troy, Alabama for a matchup against the Trojans for their first away game of the season.
