A few quick hit notes following Liberty’s 45-24 loss to Virginia:

  • The Flames got the ball to start the game and had a very impressive drive that ended in a 4th and goal touchdown run by Frankie Hickson from 1 yard out. It gave Liberty a 7-0 lead to begin the game.
  • Of course, the defense allowed the Cavaliers to easily march down the field to tie the game at 7. Virginia’s first 16 plays all went for positive yardage. No incomplete passes or 3rd downs faced during that time which spanned 3 possessions. The Hoos came away with 3 touchdowns on those possessions.
  • On offense, Liberty continued to move the ball, all 5 first half possessions ended in Virginia territory. After a touchdown on the opening drive, Alex Probert’s 51 yard field goal was several yards short of the upright, and on the 3rd drive Buckshot was intercepted in the red zone on a 3rd down pass. Probert’s 37 yard field goal on the 4th drive was good.
  • Bejour Wilson had a huge interception with about 2 minutes left in the first half, it was the only possession that didn’t end in points for Virginia in the first half. Wilson returned the ball to the 7 yard line, and Frankie Hickson carried the ball into the end zone on the next play. The Flames scored 10 points in a span of just 28 seconds to bring the score to within 4 at 21-17.
  • Virginia responded with a 33 yard field goal with 3 seconds left in the half, to bring the score to 24-17 at the intermission.
  • The Cavaliers took the opening kickoff of the 2nd half, and returned it 90 yards for a touchdown to take a 31-17 lead. It was something Joe Reed had threatened all first half, but he finally was able to break free for 6.
  • The Flames quickly responded with with a touchdown of their own as Peytton Pickett took it in from 18 yards out. On the ensuing possession, Liberty’s defense forced a Virginia punt that was fair caught by BJ Farrow at the 5 yard line.
  • The Flames picked up 9 yards on the next 3 plays, bringing up a 4th and inches at LU’s own 14 yard line. Gill elected to go for it, and threw a quick out to AGG which was broken up. This was the turning point of the game. If you’re going to go for it there, you have to give the ball to Peytton Pickett who was running for 5.3 yards per carry at that point of the game.
  • Speaking of Pickett, the JUCO transfer had his best game of his short Liberty career, rushing for 117 yards and 1 touchdown on 17 carries. Frankie Hickson also had a productive, as his 26 rushing attempts went for 93 yards and 2 touchdowns. The two backs combined for 210 rushing yards. Not a bad day against an ACC defense.
  • After allowing a score on 4 of Virginia’s first 5 possessions (not counting the kick return), Liberty’s defense forced a Virginia punt on 2 consecutive drives. Meanwhile, Buckshot threw an interception on back-to-back drives. LU’s defense wouldn’t make it 3 straight, as the Cavs were able to march down and score a touchdown to take a commanding 21 point lead at 45-24 with 12:30 left in the game.
  • After throwing just 15 interceptions in his first 23 games, Buckshot has thrown at least one pick in each of Liberty’s last 8 games, including 9 INTs in the last 3 contests. He had 3 against the Cavaliers, passing 27 times, completing 15 for 149 yards.
  • With the Flames’ incredibly talented and explosive offense, it’s extremely frustrating to virtually have to score on each and every possession to stay in the game. It puts so much pressure on Buckshot and company. If Liberty had even a respectable defense, this team would have a winning record, and possibly as good as 7-2 right now.
  • Liberty falls to 4-5 on the season and will travel to Auburn next week.