Some quick hit notes following Liberty’s season ending 29-22 loss to #6 Villanova:

  • It’s always tough when your season ends with a loss, particularly in the playoffs following a game where you could have won, but it was a season for the record books for the Flames. Once this loss wears off, we’ll have plenty more time to dissect just what this season and these last 3 weeks have meant.
  • Alpha Jalloh opened the game with Liberty’s longest kick return of the season to the Villanova 27. 5 plays later Josh Woodrum ran the ball into the end zone from 1 yard out to give the Flames the 7-0 lead.
  • Liberty’s defense was very solid in the 1st quarter, keeping the Wildcats from scoring. The Flames would extend their lead to 13-0 early in the 2nd quarter following a couple of Lunsford field goals including one from 50 yards.
  • On Lunsford’s 2nd field goal, Darrin Peterson caught a pass and ran the ball for a touchdown. The play was reviewed, and it was ruled that Petey stepped out at the 5 yard line. Flames settled for a 23 yard field goal to make it 13-0. Those 4 lost points would prove crucial in the 4th quarter.
  • The Wildcats responded with an 87 yard pass, the longest pass play in Nova history. The ball was caught near midfield and Justin Guillory missed a tackle near midfield and the receiver ran to the 5 yard line. The drive ended in a touchdown to make it 13-7 with 7:29 left in the 1st half.
  • On the ensuing kickoff, Alpha Jalloh fumbled and Villanova recovered the ball at the 16 yard line. Just a few plays later the Wildcats scored a touchdown to take the 14-13 lead.
  • After a Liberty punt, and with momentum clearly with the Wildcats, Dominique Davis forced a fumble that Nick Newman picked up and took 58 yards for a touchdown as Liberty regained the lead 19-14 entering halftime.
  • Early in the 3rd quarter, Villanova fumbled the ball while fielding a punt and Liberty recovered at the Nova 45 yard line. The Flames would drive inside the 10 yard line, but had to settle for a John Lunsford field goal giving LU the 22-14 lead.
  • The story of the game may have been the Flames lack of converting red zone opportunities into touchdowns. Liberty had 3 red zone opportunities and settled for 2 field goals. Villanova also had 3 red zone opportunities which all went for touchdowns. That’s a difference of 21-13.
  • John Robertson is very good. He finished with 100 yards rushing and 217 yards passing with 3 total touchdowns. The play he made on the 2 point conversion to tie the game in the 4th quarter was pretty remarkable.
  • Liberty’s offense had 2 straight possessions with the score tied at 22, but were unable to pick up a first down. Both drives resulted in 3 & outs. On the 2nd possession, Liberty punted on 4th and 1 near midfield. Coach Gill said after the game that “hindsight is always 20-20, but maybe I should have gone for it on 4th and 1.
  • Villanova did to Liberty what the Flames did to James Madison a week ago with their game winning drive. The drive went 18 plays, 84 yards, and over 7 minutes.

We’ll have plenty more reaction on the game and Liberty’s season, so be sure to check back at LibertyFlamesNation.com.