Quick-hit notes following the biggest win in school history

Quick hit notes following Liberty’s win over Coastal, 15-14

• Playoffs. History. Biggest win in school history. Wow.
• I said it on the site earlier this week, at some point these games had to switch in Liberty’s favor. No better time than now.
• Chima Uzowihe got the block on the final play of the game to give Liberty the 15-14 wins. He credited Jaron Green for taking the guard out and giving him a clear path.
• Kudos to John Lunsford for knocking down that game winning field goal just a few minutes after missing one that would have given the Flames the win.
• Coach Gill gets the Flames over the hump. That hump we’ve been fighting for nearly a decade.
• Liberty’s defense shut down Coastal’s first drive, forcing a 3 & out. Masha would lead the Flames on a nice drive that stalled in the red zone and ended with a 32-yard field goal by John Lunsford.
• The Flames opened with multiple looks, showing option, read-option out of the shotgun, WR reverses, etc.
• When Masha was sacked on 3^rd and 10 at Coastal’s 30 yard line for a 10 yard loss, it really stalled the Flames offense. It knocked Liberty out of field goal range, forcing them to punt. Coastal responded with an 80 yard drive to take the lead and seize the momentum.
• Liberty’s final drive before half was crucial. The Flames were down 14-3 with 4 minutes left, and the Chanticleers had all the momentum. Don’t get any points and it may turn into a rout. LU marched 46 yards on 13 plays. The drive ended with a 42 yard field goal by Lunsford making it 14-6 going into the half.
• Clock management on that drive was terrible, and cost the Flames a legitimate chance at touchdown. A Coastal DB also dropped an interception in the end zone on the play before the field goal.
• The Chanticleers held the Flames without a touchdown the first half. That’s the only half this season Liberty has not scored a touchdown.
• The Flames opened the 2^nd half with the ball, and drove into Coastal territory. Liberty faced a 4^th and 1, but Masha was stopped on the option keeper in the backfield.
• After the defense held for the entire 3^rd quarter, Masha connected with Peterson who took the ball 72 yards to the house. The Flames went for 2 and were unsuccessful, but brought the score to 14-12.
• Coastal went conservative much of the game, including punting it on 4^th and inches at the LU 45 with the 14-12 lead in the 4^th quarter. I guess Coach Moglia was playing the field position battle, but it came back to bite him.
• Penalties nearly cost the Flames the game. Liberty had 10 penalties on the afternoon.
• On the flip side, 3^rd down conversions probably won the game for LU. The Flames were 12/21 on 3^rd downs with Gabe Henderson converting 7 of them on his own. Gabe finished with 10 catches for 114 yards.
• Abnar finished with 35 carries for 122 yards.
• Masha finished the game 20/33 for 285 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception.
• Liberty outgained the Chanticleers 455-312.
• Both teams were held to a season low in points.
• See you guys next week!