Here’s our quick-hit notes following Liberty’s 20-13 win at New Mexico State late Saturday night:

  • It wasn’t how we expected it to go, but Liberty is able to escape with a win in Las Cruces, New Mexico thanks in large part to the play of the defense, including two takeaways inside the 5 yard line.
  • Javon Scruggs made a huge momentum play for the Flames’ on NMSU’s first drive. The Aggies moved into the red zone very quickly thanks primarily to great success in the rushing game. Facing a 3rd and goal from the 4, New Mexico State attempted a screen pass to the running back in the end zone. He was open, but the ball was thrown slightly behind him as he deflected the ball into the air. Liberty’s Javon Scruggs was able to snag the ball out of the air and returned it 72 yards to the NMSU 28 yard line. The Flames would have to settle for an Alex Probert 25 yard field goal a few plays later, but it would give Liberty the lead which they would not relinquish.
  • The 2nd turnover inside the 5 came on New Mexico State’s last drive of the game. The Flames had just retaken the lead at 20-13 after the Aggies had tied it up, but NMSU quickly moved back inside the Liberty 10 yard line. Josh Adkins fumbled the ball on 2nd and goal and Tayvion Land fell on the ball at the 6 with 3:15 to play.
  • Running backs Joshua Mack and Frankie Hickson were able to pick up two crucial first downs on the ground as Liberty was then able to run out the clock.
  • Mack continues to improve his play each and every week. After the Aggies tied it at 13 with 7:46 to play, Liberty went to work and Joshua Mack needed just 4 plays to go 75 yards and give the Flames the lead back. He picked up 54 yards on a screen pass that he took to the 4. On the following play, he punched it in. Mack finished with 113 yards and 1 touchdown on 16 carries.
  • For the second straight week against a team from New Mexico, the game was much lower scoring than anyone anticipated. The teams went 4 straight drives in the 2nd quarter with 3 & outs, and both teams were held below 400 yards of offense.
  • Jessie Lemonier led the Flames with 11 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 1 sack. True freshman TreShaun Clark added 1.5 TFLs and a sack.
  • Alex Probert missed a 50 yard field goal on Liberty’s opening drive of the game, but he would recover from that and connect on his other two field goals from 25 and 51 yards, respectively.
  • The two teams combined for 240 penalty yards, NMSU led the way with 14 flags for 153 yards.
  • New Mexico State made it a priority to keep Antonio Gandy-Golden out of the game. He had a 17 yard reception on the first play of the game, but was very quiet the rest of the evening. He finished with 4 receptions for 40 yards.
  • Not the best game for Buckshot Calvert, who finished the game 16-of-31 passing for 113 yards and 1 touchdown. He was sacked 4 times and had his 4th straight game without an interception.
  • Frankie Hickson added 72 rushing yards.
  • This was Liberty’s first road win in two opportunities this season and only the 2nd road win over the past two seasons.
  • The Flames now enter the open date at 4-2 with 4 straight wins. That’s the longest winning stream for Liberty since 2016 and its the first time the Flames have started a season 4-2 since 2010.
  • With 5 FBS games left on the schedule, Liberty needs just two more FBS wins to become bowl eligible. Those FBS games left on the schedule – @ Rutgers (10/26), @ UMass (11/2), @ BYU (11/9), @ #23 Virginia (11/23), vs NMSU (11/30).