Here are our quick-hit notes following Liberty’s 55-27 loss at Virginia:

  • Things got off to a terrible start for the Flames with two quick 3 & outs for the offense to open the game. The Cavaliers picked up a touchdown on its first drive as Bryce Perkins found the receiver open in the end zone on 3rd and goal.
  • On Virginia’s second drive, they again drove into the red zone before the Flames’ defense stiffened to force a 26-yard field goal. This was a huge momentum stop for Liberty as the game was on the borderline of becoming a blowout. The Flames’ responded on the next drive with a big 3rd down conversion pass to Johnny Huntley and then a 56-yard pass on a go-route to Peytton Pickett. That set up a 6-yard touchdown run by Frankie Hickson to bring the Flames within one score at 10-7 at the end of the first quarter.
  • The Liberty defense would come up with another stop and the Flames would score 14 straight points to take the lead, 14-10, with 12:25 left in the first.
  • Calvert found Noah Frith behind the defense on 3rd and 17 for a touchdown on the play that gave Liberty the lead.
  • Buckshot’s streak of 295 pass attempts without an interception, a school record and a mark that was the nation’s longest active streak, came to an end in the 2nd quarter. Calvert was pressured and attempted to throw the ball away, but he made the mistake of throwing the ball down the middle of the field. The interception was returned to the Liberty 42, and the Cavaliers were able to regain momentum and score the go ahead touchdown with 5 minutes left in the first half.
  • It was a game of momentum in the first half as after the Buckshot interception Virginia reeled off 14 straight points to take a 24-14 lead with just over 2 minutes left in the half.
  • Shedro Louis was able to return the ensuing kickoff into Virginia territory at the 48, and the Flames moved the ball to the 25 yard line before the drive stalled. Alex Probert’s 43-yard field goal was no good, wide left.
  • To open the second half, Virginia drove into Liberty territory before being stopped to force a 4th and 9 at the Liberty 31. Initially, the Cavaliers lined up to kick the field goal, but then changed their formation into an offensive attack and picked up the first down on the pass play to move inside the 10. Two plays later and Virginia had a 31-14 lead.
  • Buckshot’s interception, while it was just one play, was a critical turning point of the game. The Flames were winning and marching into Virginia territory with a chance to take a two score lead midway through the second quarter. Following the interception, UVA had all the momentum as they scored 28 unanswered points to take a commanding 38-14 lead as we approached the 4th quarter.
  • Calvert finished the game 16-of-40 passing for 283 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. His second interception came with 5 minutes left in the game as the Flames faced a 4th and long.
  • Antonio Gandy-Golden finished the game with 6 receptions for 60 yards and 1 touchdown while Frankie Hickson had a good day on the ground with 88 yards on 15 carries.
  • True freshman wide receiver CJ Yarbrough playing in just his 3rd game of the season, led the team in receiving with 83 yards on 4 receptions.
  • Solomon Ajayi finished with a career high in tackles with 13.
  • One more game for the Flames to become bowl eligible. Liberty hosts New Mexico State next week at 2 p.m.