Here are a few quick-hit notes following Liberty’s 45-0 win over UMass:

  • The Flames entered the game as 37 point favorites and left little to chance in the game on Black Friday as Liberty raced out to a 31-0 halftime lead.
  • Malik Willis struggled on his first series, but quickly recovered for a very nice afternoon. The Liberty quarterback finished 16 of 24 passing for 223 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also added 63 rushing yards. On his final play of the game midway through the third quarter, Willis would break free for a 54 yard touchdown run to put the Flames up 38-0.
  • Barbir missed a 49 yard field goal and made a 24 yarder. On the season, Barbir is now 10 for 17 on field goals. He’s 6 for 6 inside of 30 yards and 2 for 2 outside of 50 yards. Between 30 and 50 yards he is just 2 for 9.
  • Liberty could run the ball at will on the Minutemen defense. Joshua Mack had 96 rushing yards in the first half, as Peytton Pickett ran for 71 yards in the opening half. Joshua Mack would eclipse the 100 yard mark on the ground for the fourth time this season after doing so in the first three games of the year. He finished with 105 yards and 1 touchdown on 10 carries. Peytton Pickett would also reach 100 yards rushing with 125 yards and 1 touchdown on 10 carries. Troy Henderson got into the action with 79 yards rushing, all of them coming on Liberty’s final drive which went 19 plays for 82 yards and took 12:23, ending inside the UMass 10 yard line.
  • UMass’ offense was able to gain some traction on several possessions, getting into Liberty territory on five possessions without scoring any points as the Flames recovered a fumble, forced a turnover on downs and 2 punts, and UMass missed a field goal.
  • True freshman Quinton Reese had the best game of his young career. He finished with 6 tackles, 1 interception, 1 pass breakup and 1 QB hurry.
  • This was Liberty’s first shut out since Nov. 5, 2016 when the Flames defeated Presbyterian, 16-0. It’s the first shutout at home since Oct. 25, 2014 when Liberty defeated Gardner-Webb, 34-0. This is Liberty’s first ever shutout against an FBS team.
  • With the win, Liberty’s home winning streak at Williams Stadium reaches 11 games, equaling the program record set between Nov. 4 2006 an Oct. 11, 2008.
  • The Flames have clinched the program’s fifth 9-win season all-time and first since 2014. Liberty and BYU are the nation’s first two FBS teams with 9 wins so far this season. Liberty, Army, BYU, and Cincinnati are the nation’s only FBS squads with six home wins to this point of the 2020 season.
  • Liberty concludes their home slate a perfect 6-0, the first unbeaten season at home since 2010 (5-0) and fifth overall in program history.
  • Liberty’s regular season finale is next Saturday at #16 Coastal Carolina (8-0). Kickoff and TV for the game will be announced on Sunday. The Chanticleers are at Texas State (2-9) on Saturday at 3 p.m. in a game televised on ESPN+.