A few quick hit notes following Liberty’s resounding, 52-43, win at New Mexico:

  • The Lobos, after receiving the opening kickoff, quickly marched downfield and scored a touchdown. Their opening drive took 81 seconds and traveled 75 yards on just 4 plays. That was about the only bright spot of the game for the New Mexico offense though.
  • Liberty answered that opening drive with a score of their own to tie the game at 7. Each team exchanged a couple of punts before the Flames were able to stop the punt streak by taking the 14-7 lead, Liberty’s first lead since the Old Dominion game, spanning more than 70 minutes of game action.
  • Bejour Wilson, a JUCO transfer, started his 2nd consecutive game at corner against the Lobos. He had a huge pass breakup on 3rd down on an early Lobo drive, and then had a diving interception to give the Flames the ball back with a 14-7 lead. 5 plays later and the Flames were up 21-7.
  • The Flames’ defense only allowed the opening drive score and 3 points on a field goal after a Buckshot interception. Great performance by Robert Wimberly’s unit.
  • Liberty’s offense would go on to score a few more times to take control of the game at 42-10 entering the halftime break.
  • In the 2nd half, Liberty’s offense struggled to sustain drives early in the 3rd quarter as the Flames went to the ground game to try to work like and rest the defense. It nearly came back to bite the Flames, as New Mexico cut the score to 42-29 early in the 4th quarter.
  • After suffering with cramps in the 2nd half, Buckshot Calvert re-entered the game and immediately helped Liberty put some additional breathing room between themselves and the Lobos. Buckshot connected with Antonio Gandy-Golden twice on the drive that ended in a Peytton Pickett touchdown to push the Flames’ lead to 49-29.
  • The Lobos wouldn’t let the Flames go away quietly, as they pushed it to a one score game with 5 minutes left in the game. Liberty would respond the same way they did all night, by going to AGG. His 50 yard reception set the Flames up at the UNM 12 yard line. This set up a 22 yard Aaron Peart field goal which was good for the final margin of 52-43 with 1 minute left in the game.
  • Speakin gof AGG, he set a school record for receiving yards in a single game with 245 on 11 receptions. He also added one touchdown.
  • BJ Farrow had a great game as well, finishing with 7 receptions for 122 yards and 1 touchdown.
  • Buckshot finished the game 24/41 for 417 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception.
  • With Kentory Matthews out due to injury, Frankie Hickson and Peytton Pickett combined for 104 rushing yards on 39 carries.
  • Despite giving up a lot of yards and points in the 2nd half, the defense did what it had to do to win the game. The most important thing was 4 interceptions, including 2 by Isaac Steele.
  • This was Liberty’s first ever road win as an FBS team. The Flames will attempt to win the New Mexico state championship next week as they return out west to face the New Mexico State Aggies.