Here are a few quick hit notes following Liberty’s win over North Alabama, 28-7, as the Flames begin the 2020 season at 3-0:

  • The Flames start the season 3-0 for the first time since 2017 and the 8th time in program history. Liberty has not started a season 4-0 since 2008 when the Flames began that campaign 6-0.
  • This marks Liberty’s 5th consecutive win and 7th straight victory at home, both streaks dating back to last season.
  • The Flames just missed out on the shutout as the Lions didn’t score until the 5:49 mark of the 4th quarter.
  • This was not the type of game we expected as Liberty came in favored by 30.5 points. The Liberty offense was unable to get anything going early, allowing the Lions to hang around. The offense finally started to get it going in the 2nd half, opening up the half with consecutive touchdown drives.
  • After going through warmups with a brace on his left arm, Malik Willis did not get the start. Maine grad transfer Chris Ferguson got the nod. Ferguson had a rather lackluster first half, but his final stat line was solid. He finished 12 of 21 passing for 64 yards and 3 touchdowns.
  • Johnathan Bennett would come in late in the 3rd quarter to take over for Ferguson. Bennett led the Flames on an impressive scoring drive on his first drive which would be capped by a 5 yard touchdown pass to Chris Barrett. It was Bennett’s first career touchdown at Liberty. Bennett would complete 3 of 4 passes for 43 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception.
  • For a third consecutive game, Alex Barbir missed a field goal. On the Flames’ third drive of the day, his 33 yarder hit the right upright and fell to the ground in the end zone. For the season, he is now 4/7 on field goals this season with a long of 27 yards.
  • Liberty’s defense came up huge with two key turnovers in the first half. The first, a forced fumble by Javon Scruggs and recovered by Emanuel Dabney, set up Liberty’s first touchdown. The second was an interception by Anthony Butler in the end zone, keeping the Lions off the scoreboard. Butler had a 2nd interception as he picked off a pass that was affected by the pass rush of Stephen Sings.
  • Anthony Butler had another very strong game. The grad transfer from Charlotte intercepted a pass in the end zone and had a huge sack on a key 3rd down at the end of the first half forcing a 51 yard field goal which was missed. Butler would finish the game with a team high 9 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 1 sack.
  • TreShaun Clark was ejected early in the first quarter with a roughing the passer and targeting penalty. One of the Flames’ top pass rushers, Clark will be eligible to start the game next Saturday against Louisiana-Monroe.
  • Stephen Sings was the largest benefactor of Clark’s absence, as the true freshman got his most significant playing time of the early season. Sings finished the game with 4 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
  • Joshua Mack becomes the first Liberty player to rush for 100 or more yards in 3 consecutive games since Carrington Mosley did in 2017 against Gardner-Webb, Duquesne, and Presbyterian. Mack finished with 130 yards on 16 carries.
  • Liberty returns to action next Saturday for the third and final game of three straight at home as the Flames face Louisiana-Monroe.