Some quick hit notes from Liberty’s loss to Louisiana-Monroe:

  • ULM was ready to play football, and Liberty did not seem to be.
  • Liberty’s woes began early on. After Liberty’s first drive came up empty, the Flames blocked a ULM field goal. Safety Skylar Thomas scampered the length of the field before stepping out of bounds at the 2-yard line. Liberty was unable to punch in a touchdown and turned the ball over on downs, which seems to have foreshadowed the rest of the Flames’ night.
  • ULM quarterback Chandler Rogers tossed a pick midway through the 2nd quarter, which allowed the Flames started their first touchdown drive of the night in great field position. Liberty needed just three plays to set up a touchdown run by Malik Willis, which put the Flames up 7-0.
  • After ULM’s ensuing drive came up empty, Malik Willis tossed a 9-yard touchdown pass to CJ Daniels to cap off an 8-play, 85-yard drive that took just 1:33. Liberty led 14-0 going into halftime
  • In the 3rd quarter, ULM seized momentum – scoring touchdowns on each of their four drives. Shedro Louis ran for a touchdown to open the 4th quarter and pull the Flames within 7 points. The score was 28-21, ULM.
  • Malik Willis ran for a 53-yard score with 7:49 left in the 4th quarter, knotting the game at 28-28. ULM kicker Callum Southerland answered with a 53-yard field goal with 1:44 left, setting the Flames up for one final drive.
  • After being sacked on the first play of Liberty’s final drive, Willis tossed an interception – allowing ULM to escape with a 31-28 upset victory.
  • Liberty didn’t appear ready to play tonight. ULM came into this game 30-point underdogs, and there’s a chance that the Flames paid too much attention to the game’s betting line. ULM’s defensive line gave Liberty fits all evening, and the Warhawk secondary forced Willis to improvise all night. Willis finished the game with 135 yards passing, one touchdown, and three interceptions. He also rushed for 157 yards and two touchdowns.
  • Penalties continued to be a problem for Liberty, as the team recorded 6 penalties for a total of 80 yards.
  • The Flames will travel to North Texas next Saturday for a 4:00 pm EST kickoff.

*photo courtesy Liberty Athletics