LIBERTY QB PLAY “INCONSISTENT”

With starting quarterback Malik Willis missing the game against North Alabama, the Flames turned to Chris Ferguson who played the better part of three quarters before giving way to Johnathan Bennett. Coach Freeze called the quarterback play inconsistent.

“We will go look at the film and talk as a staff and kind of evaluate their play,” Freeze said following the game. “It was definitely inconsistent at times. They made some good plays and some good touchdown throws when we needed them. Other times, we didn’t make plays that we expect both of them to make because physically they can for sure.”

Ferguson finished the game completing 12 of 21 passes for 64 yards and 3 touchdowns while Bennett was 3 of 4 passing for 43 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception.

WILLIS COULD HAVE PLAYED

“Malik could have played today, but we really thought it was wise for him just to not have any contact on that elbow,” Freeze said.

Willis went through all the pregame warmups like normal and it looked like he would play. He had a brace on his left arm throughout the game, but ultimately the Flames decided to let him rest for at least one more week.

“Going into the game, Malik warmed up, but they decided that he wasn’t ready to play,” said Chris Ferguson.

Willis’ status will continued to be monitored this week as the Flames hope he is able to return to the field next Saturday when the Flames face Louisiana-Monroe.

TRUE FRESHMAN STEPHEN SINGS SHINED

Liberty starting defensive end TreShaun Clark was disqualified from the game in the first quarter following a targeting penalty. In his absence, true freshman Stephen Sings was thrown into the fire and played most of the game. He excelled, finishing the game with 4 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a quarterback hurry that led to an interception.

“We’ve said from day one we think he’s going to be a special player,” Freeze said of the former Virginia Tech commit. “He’s explosive in practice. We’ve got some talent at those defensive ends, but we’re going to need him. It’s a long season. We needed him definitely today, he probably played, I don’t know how many snaps, but probably too many for what he was probably prepared for. Just really proud of the effort he gave today.”

FREEZE WEARS HIS MASK

Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze made it a point to try to keep his mask on throughout the game.

“Probably the biggest positive I can find offensively is I wore my mask all day,” he said after the game. “I hadn’t been able to do that and I figured out a way to do it.”

FLAMES CLOSE TO A SHUTOUT

Liberty came incredibly close to securing the team’s first shutout since Nov. 5, 2016 against Presbyterian and first shutout at home since Oct. 25, 2014 against Gardner-Webb.

The Flames had the ball with just over 7 minutes left in the game still leading 28-0. If LU could have picked up a couple first downs and flipped the field position, at a minimum, it would have been very difficult for the Lions to put points on the board.

Johnathan Bennett was intercepted on the first play of the drive and the ball was returned to the 12 yard line, as UNA was able to put points on the board just a few plays later.

“We put (the defense) in a bad spot over there at the end with the turnover on offense or we probably get a shutout,” Freeze said. “I hate that. I was trying to run the clock out. We have to trust our quarterbacks at some point to make good decisions with the ball.”

JOSHUA MACK RECORDS 3RD STRAIGHT 100+ YARD GAME

For the third consecutive game, Joshua Mack eclipsed the 100 yard mark on the ground as he rushed for 130 yards on 16 carries, including a season-long run of 46 yards. It was his 6th 100-yard rushing game as a Flamea nd 16th career collegiate 100-yard game.

He became the first Liberty player since Carrington Mosley in 2017 to post three straight 100 yard rushing games and the first Flame to rush for 100 or more yards in each of the first three games of the season since Eugene Goodman opened the 2004 season with 5 straight 100 yard games.

“He’s our go to guy in critical situations, in critical drives,” Freeze said of Mack. “I think he’s proven that he’s worthy of that, again today he did the same.”

INJURY UPDATE

In addition to Willis, the Flames were also without the services of DT Elijah James, OL Bryce Mathews, WR Noah Frith, and DEs Rashad Whitehead and Aakil Washington as they were all ruled out prior to the game.

Frith is battling a hamstring injury suffered late against Florida International, while Freeze mentioned Mathews was questionable on Sunday. James, Whitehead, and Washington have not appeared on an injury report previously.

Johnny Huntley, Ben Alexander, and Cedric Stone were all banged up during the game against North Alabama.

“We certainly have got to get some kids healthy and continue to be prayerful and hopeful that we stay in good shape with the COVID stuff,” said Freeze.

Freeze mentioned that Stone suffered a concussion early in the game. Huntley was also injured early and seen with a noticeable limp as he walked to the medical tent.