MACK WITH HIS BEST DAY AS A FLAME

Maine transfer running back entered the program with a lot of fanfare. He was the leading rusher in all of FCS in 2017. Many expected him to immediately come in and make an impact in Liberty’s backfield this season. The redshirt-junior had his best game in a Liberty uniform against the Lobos on Saturday, rushing for 95 yards on 14 carries.

Mack had 63 yards on one drive as he rushed for 17, 38, and 8 yards on three straight plays in the third quarter.

“Those two big runs, they kind of surprised me,” Mack said. “I’ve been working, but to actually get out in the open field and to see that space and be able to know I’m back, it felt good.”

His workload has continued to increase each and every week as he’s gone from 2 carries in the season opener against Syracuse to the 14 he had Saturday.

NO INTERCEPTIONS, BUT BUCKSHOT DID FUMBLE

It’s been a pleasant surprise for Buckshot to go three straight games now without throwing an interception. That’s his longest streak of games without throwing an interception since four straight games late in the 2017 season. Calvert did however lose a fumble at the goal line that New Mexico recovered in the end zone.

“Our number one deal is the ball, offensively,” Hugh Freeze said. “That irritated me. Every Sunday we work ball security, every one. In no way, shape, or form should he be carrying the ball the way he did. I will remind him of that several times (Sunday).”

DEFENSIVE LINE CONTINUES TO PLAY WELL

Liberty’s defensive line has been one of the more pleasant surprises of the young season behind new DL coach Josh Aldridge.

“They sky’s the limit for that group,” defensive coordinator Scott Symons said. “I think we can keep coming. Coach Aldridge is one of the best D-Line coaches in the country. I’ve been very fortunate to see him when he was a player. To see the man that mentored him, who is my mentor in the coaching profession, and then to be able to work with him. We’ve made tremendous strides there.”

Ralfs Rusins was the standout of the group against the Lobos, recording 9 tackles, a career-high 1.5 tackles for loss and half a sack. The New Mexico offensive line hadn’t allowed a sack all season, but the Flames broke through with two. Ralfs Rusins and Austin Lewis combined for the first sack and then true freshman TreShaun Clark had a second sack, the first of his career.

BEJOUR WILSON A LATE SCRATCH

All week it looked like starting corner Bejour Wilson, who missed the Hampton game with a mild sprained foot, would be able to give it a go on Saturday against the Lobos. He went through warmups, but ultimately did not get on the field.

“When he tried to cut (Friday), I didn’t like what I saw,” Freeze said of Wilson. “It’s a long season. Would he have gone and tried to play 10-15 snaps for us? Yes. It just wasn’t the right decision.”

With Bejour missing his 2nd straight game, true freshman Kei’Trel Clark got his 2nd consecutive start. He again played beyond his years, making a spectacular pass breakup on a deep pass where it looked like he had misjudged the ball while in the air. He was able to quickly recover and knock the pass away from the receiver.

MEGGINSON MOVED TO CORNER PRIOR TO GAME

With Wilson and reserve corner Emanuel Dabney missing the game, true freshman Chris Megginson was moved to corner during the week to give the Flames some extra depth.

Megginson, from local Heritage High School, entered the program as a corner but was moved to safety during the offseason.

“Chris has played corner for three days,” Symons said after the game. “You know, he was down after the game. They threw a ball on him. He’s got a bright future, and we all know it. He’s a talented young man.”

ESPINOZA SPIED QB TUIOTI

Symons and the Liberty defense instituted a spy on New Mexico dual-threat quarterback Tevaka Tuioti.

“I should have subbed him more on first and second downs,” said Symons. “He was gassed at the end of the game. Some of those key times, when it’s literally we’re going to put one of our best athletes on their best athlete and our guy’s been running around full speed. I think we ran out of gas there some.”

Tuioti was all but shut down in the passing game, as he completed just 12-of-26 passes for 139 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. He was able to get free for 57 rushing yards, with 33 coming on one play.