A few quick-hit notes following Liberty’s season opening upset win over Baylor, 48-45:

  • Wow, what a win for the program! Easily the biggest win in school history. The Flames were 39 point dogs against a Big 12 opponent, and they won the game straight up. This win makes such a statement and should do wonders for the program as it continues its positive momentum with the pending FBS move.
  • Coach Gill said earlier this week that scoring early and not having any turnovers, especially early, were keys to the game. The Flames did exactly that as they scored a field goal on their opening drive to take a quick 3-0 lead. Liberty went on to score on 4 of their first 5 drives of the opening half and did not commit a turnover as they went into the locker room at intermission deadlocked with their Big 12 counterparts.
  • This battle in the first half was not a fluke, Liberty led in all major statistical categories in the first half of play. If you remember back to last year’s opener at Virginia Tech, the score may have been close early, but it didn’t feel like Liberty belonged. That was not the case against Baylor.
  • Even with the score tied at 17 at half, it felt as if Liberty should have had a two score lead. Early penalties stalled drives and even had points taken off the board.
  • The Flames move to 8-1 against the spread against FBS opponents under Coach Gill. The Flames were 7-0 before failing to cover the 14.5 spread against SMU last year. The final margin of that game was 15 points.
  • Buckshot and Antonio Gandy-Golden is a thing and will continue to be a thing for the next 3 years. Baylor fans and media were all saying that both of these guys will play on Sundays one day. Buckshot finished the game 44/60 for 447 yards and 3 touchdowns. Antonio Gandy-Golden had 13 catches for 192 yards and 2 touchdowns.
  • Liberty was 0-7 against Power 5 opponents entering tonight’s game.
  • In a late scratch, wide receiver B.J. Farrow did not make the trip to Waco. Liberty officials stated it was due to a pending eligibility review. Farrow, a redshirt-junior, is the top returning receiver for the Flames, as he has hauled in 62 passes for 729 yards and 5 touchdowns during his career.
  • Baylor’s McLane Stadium is a gorgeous venue. The 45,140 capacity stadium sits on the Brazos River and is picturesque. It has a horseshoe seating structure with a grass berm and a 5,029 square foot video board in the open end zone. The stadium opened in 2014 when Liberty AD Ian McCaw was athletic director at Baylor, and McCaw oversaw the construction for the Bears. As we mentioned this week, McCaw, several Liberty officials, and donors took a tour of McLane Stadium this weekend. Something to keep in mind as Liberty eyes expanding Williams Stadium in the coming months.
  • Speaking of McCaw, how do you think he feels right about now?
  • Plenty more to come from this huge win for the program!