Here are a few quick-hit notes following #22 Liberty’s 58-14 win over Western Carolina:
- There wasn’t much of a hangover for the Flames coming off the program’s biggest win in school history last week at Virginia Tech. Liberty jumped out to a 14-0 lead early in the 2nd quarter before entering halftime with a sizable 28-7 lead.
- Malik Willis continued to do what he’s become accustomed to. The dark-horse Heisman candidate finished the game 14 of 19 passing for 306 yards and 3 touchdowns while adding 97 rushing yards and 2 additional touchdowns on the ground.
- The deep pass play was obviously a point of emphasis for Willis and the Flames’ offense this week as Liberty went deep on numerous occasions this afternoon. Perhaps wanting to get some of that on film for the rest of the season’s opponents.
- Kevin Shaa caught two of those deep passes, including a long of 83 on a touchdown strike from Willis. He finished with 2 receptions for a career-high 137 yards and 1 touchdown, it was his first career 100 receiving yard game.
- CJ Yarbrough and Noah Frith have had their play limited during the first half of the season due to various injuries, but the pair played in their second consecutive game on Saturday. Willis targeted these starting outside receivers early and often to begin the game. Yarbrough would finish the game with 3 receptions for 37 yards while Frith added 2 catches for 19 yards.
- Johnny Huntley caught and ran his way to a 44 yard touchdown in the first half in a play that was eerily similar to the catch and run touchdown he had in the first half of last year’s Cure Bowl. Huntley finished the game with 4 receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown.
- Liberty eclipsed the 600 yard mark of total offense for the first time since last year’s win over UMass.
- Durrell Johnson make a remarkable first half interception as the former JUCO player dropped back in coverage and jumped up and snagged the ball with one hand in a very athletic play. Johnson spent much of his time in high school and JUCO playing in the secondary, so he has above average coverage skills than your typical defensive end.
- Last week’s hero, Alex Barbir, who hit the game-winning 51-yard field goal, missed on his 45 yard attempt in the first half against the Catamounts. He would redeem himself in the 4th quarter with a 54 yard field goal, which becomes his new career long. Barbir is now 9 for 14 on his field goal attempts this season.
- The Flames are now 6-0 against FCS opponents since joining the FBS ranks prior to the 2018 campaign.
- Liberty has now won 10 straight games overall, dating back to last season, the second longest active win streak in the country. Notre Dame leads all of FBS with 13 straight wins entering their game today with Boston College. This is Liberty’s longest win streak since winning 11-straight during the 2007 and 2008 seasons. The Flames have also won 10 straight at home for the first time since the 2009-2011 seasons.
- The Flames are now 8-0 for the first time in school history. This marks the program’s 12th 8-win season in school history and second consecutive.
- This is Liberty’s third straight win in the series with Western Carolina, as the Flames take a 4-3 advantage in the all-time series.
- Liberty returns to action next Saturday when the Flames take on its third, and final scheduled, ACC opponent of the 2020 campaign when Liberty heads to Raleigh, North Carolina to take on the NC State Wolfpack who is currently 4-3 on the season prior to its game against Florida State tonight at 7:30 on the ACC Network.
