2022 was a year for the record books for many reasons, and for Liberty Athletics, the Flames had another banner year. We put together a list because everyone loves lists at New Year’s. This is our annual list of the top moments in Liberty Athletics, not necessarily the BEST moments, but the biggest. Our 22 moments that defined Liberty Athletics for 2022.

22. WOMEN’S SOCCER WINS ASUN REGULAR SEASON TITLE

Liberty’s women’s soccer team had an incredible 2022 season. The Lady Flames won the ASUN regular season title, finishing the year with an 8-0-2 mark in conference play. Unfortunately, the season would come to a premature end with a loss in penalty kicks to No. 2 seed FGCU in a classic conference title game.

21. DURRELL JOHNSON HAS RECORD BREAKING SEASON

Senior defensive end Durrell Johnson had a record-breaking and All-American campaign in 2022. He finished the year leading the country in tackles for loss finishing with an eye-popping 27.5 TFLs.

20. MALIK WILLIS BECOMES FIRST FORMER FLAME TO START AT QB IN NFL

In October, former Liberty quarterback Malik Willis made some more history for the Flames as he became the first former Liberty player to start a game at quarterback in the NFL. He also helped lead the Tennessee Titans to a 17-10 win over the Houston Texans in the game.

19. SOFTBALL OPENS 23-0 IN ASUN

Liberty softball dominated the ASUN in 20222, nearly finishing the season with an unblemished conference record. The Lady Flames won their first 23 ASUN games, not being defeated until the regular season finale, finishing the year at 23-1 in conference play.

18. FOOTBALL OPENS SEASON WITH THRILLING 4-OT WIN

The 2022 football season got underway in thrilling fashion for the Flames who defeated Southern Miss in four overtimes in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. It was the Flames’ third quarterback of the day, Kaidon Salter, that would lead the comeback win as he led the team to scoring drives in the fourth quarter with the team trailing by a touchdown on two separate occasions.

17. SWIMMING & DIVING 4-PEATS

Head coach Jake Shellenberger and Liberty swimming and diving continues to have success in the pool. The Lady Flames won a fourth straight conference championship, winning the CCSA once again in 2022.

16. FIELD HOCKEY WINS BIG EAST, ADVANCES TO NCAAs

Liberty’s field hockey team won the Big East for a second straight season, knocking off Old Dominion the final. The Lady Flames would advance to the NCAAs for a second straight, but were unable to rekindle the magic of 2021, falling in their first game.

15. MEN’S TRACK & FIELD SWEEPS ASUN TITLES

The men’s track and field team is a dynasty and we all take their success for granted. They swept the ASUN titles this year, winning championships in both the indoor and outdoor seasons. It was the 15th straight conference championship in outdoor and 25th straight for indoor.

14. WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HAS SUPERB SEASON

The Lady Flames have lived in the shadows of mid-major power FGCU since joining the ASUN, but last year head coach Carey Green and his team had one of their best seasons in recent years. Liberty finished the year 28-5, advancing to the WNIT and picking up a win in the postseason tournament.

13. MEN’S TENNIS WINS ASUN, ADVANCES TO NCAAs

Liberty’s men’s tennis team continues its run of success, elevating the program to never before seen heights. The Flames won the ASUN in 2022 and advanced to the NCAAs.

12. SOFTBALL WINS ASUN FOR 2ND STRAIGHT YEAR

Liberty softball won its second straight ASUN title, advancing to NCAA Regional play once again. The Lady Flames would defeat Georgia to begin the Regionals before being eliminated.

11. LIBERTY GOLF MAKES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Liberty golf advanced to the 2022 NCAA Men’s Golf National Championship this past summer, finishing in 26th place.

10. DARIUS McGHEE SCORES PROGRAM RECORD 48 IN FGCU WIN

Every time Darius McGhee steps on a basketball floor it is must see entertainment. The 5’9″ guard set a program record with 48 points in an early season conference game last year, helping push the Flames to a win at FGCU.

9. BASKETBALL 3-PEAT COMES TO AN END

Ritchie McKay and the Flames have dominated the ASUN since joining the league. Liberty had won three straight regular season and tournament titles to open their tenure in the league. That dominant run came to an end in 2022 as Liberty lost to Bellarmine in the ASUN Tournament semifinals.

8. WE GOT DUDES, BASEBALL GOES VIRAL

The “We Got Dudes” moniker was born on the opening weekend of the 2022 baseball season when head coach Scott Jackson used the phrase to describe the depth of his team. The Flames took two of three games in Gainesville against No. 9 Florida to open the season and back up the head coach’s words. Liberty baseball also went viral with the video revealing of their new powder blue uniforms.

7. HUGH FREEZE ERA COMES TO AN END

Hugh Freeze helped elevate the Liberty football program to new heights, as he led the program to four straight bowl games, four straight 8+ win seasons, and being ranked in two different seasons. That was highlighted by an 8-1 start to the 2022 season with wins over BYU and Arkansas. But it all started to go downhill after the win over the SEC program. Four straight losses ended the season, highlighted by Freeze’s flirtation with and eventually leaving for Auburn.

6. DARIUS McGHEE RETURNS FOR FINAL YEAR

Arguably the greatest player to ever suit up for the men’s basketball program, Darius McGhee turned down professional opportunities and did not entertain the transfer portal as he announced he was coming back to the Mountain for his final season of eligibility. He has now surpassed the 2,000 career point mark as he continues his onslaught on the Liberty record books.

5. BASEBALL STARTS SEASON 11-1, RANKED NO. 14

Liberty baseball got off to one of its best ever starts to a regular season in 2022. The Flames jumped out to an 11-1 start to the season and climbed to as high as No. 14 in the national polls. Liberty defeated No. 15 North Carolina, 1-0, thanks to an Aaron Anderson solo home run to punctuate the strong early start to the season. The Flames would also advance to another NCAA Regional, receiving an at-large bid for a second straight season.

4. LIBERTY DEFEATS ARKANSAS

photo courtesy Liberty Athletics

Liberty had struggled in its first couple of opportunities against an SEC football team, but that changed in 2022. Behind quarterback Johnathan Bennett, the Flames were able to jump out to an early lead over the Arkansas Razorbacks and held on in the final moments for the win. Liberty improved to 8-1 and was ranked in the top 20 of the national polls following the win.

3. JAMEY CHADWELL NAMED HEAD COACH

One of the most successful Group of Five coaches in the past few seasons, Jamey Chadwell puts away the teal and the beach for the red and the mountains as he was named the football program’s new head coach.

2. MALIK WILLIS IS DRAFTED BY THE TITANS

Malik Willis became the first Liberty player drafted to play quarterback in the NFL as he was taken in the third round by the Tennessee Titans.

1. FOOTBALL DEFEATS BYU

It will be one that is remembered for a long time. Liberty didn’t just beat BYU, the Flames dominated the Cougars in a win that will always be written about. School founder Dr. Jerry Falwell, Sr. always referenced BYU and Notre Dame as models for Liberty University. A win on the gridiron over one of those programs helps cement his legacy as the program continues to rise to new heights.