A few quick hit notes following Liberty’s 62-59 triple overtime loss at UMass:

  • That’s one way to start off this new rivalry. The two FBS Independents will meet in each season through 2025. Of course, this one didn’t end the way the Flames wanted it to.
  • Liberty should have won this in regulation. The Flames seized control of the game in the 4th quarter, taking a 14 point lead after Frank Boyd’s touchdown with about 11 minutes to play. Get one stop and the game is over. As has been the case most of this season, that didn’t happen. The Minutemen scored twice in the final 7 minutes of the game, including their 2nd score that came with 25 seconds left in the game to force overtime.
  • The defense surrendered 540 passing yards and 4 touchdowns to Ross Comis. That’s the most passing yards Liberty has ever surrendered to an opponent in one game. The Minutemen amassed 777 total yards of offense, another school record. That’s unacceptable. If Liberty’s defense was simply bad and not atrocious, this team would be good enough to beat anybody on its schedule except for possibly Auburn. Does Gill make any changes to his defensive staff? If so, should he do it now, or is it acceptable to wait until the end of the season.
  • On the bright side for the defense, the defensive line has been playing very well the last several weeks. They finished tonight with 7 sacks.
  • Despite the defense’s performance, it was a botched snap that likely cost the Flames the game. Liberty was facing a 3rd and 2 as it tried to run the clock out with a 7 point lead and 2 minutes left. The 3rd down snap was over Buckshot’s head as he lined up in the shotgun. It was all he could do to just fall on the ball, forcing a punt.
  • Antonio Gandy-Golden had another ridiculous game. He finished the game with 9 receptions for 205 yards and 2 touchdowns, and there were several plays where he was just unguardable (is that a word?). He will be playing on Sundays. He’s that good.
  • As good as AGG was, the nation’s leading receiver, Andy Isabella, was better. He had 9 receptions for 303 yards and 2 touchdowns.
  • A play that we will be seeing on all the highlight reels this week happened in the 2nd quarter. Buckshot threw it deep but was intercepted. As the UMass defender was making his return, he fumbled the ball. The Flames’ Khaleb Coleman recovered it and walked into the end zone to give Liberty a 24-21 lead. You may remember Coleman recovered a muffed punt against Troy that he returned for a touchdown, but the return didn’t count that time as you’re unable to advance a muffed punt.
  • Any talk of bowl eligibility will have to wait. This was the game Liberty needed. Now, the Flames must knock off either Virginia or Auburn and then also defeat New Mexico State. Tall order.