2020 Liberty Flames football team

The 2020 Liberty Flames football team represented Liberty University in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by second-year head coach Hugh Freeze and played their home games at Williams Stadium. The Flames competed as an FBS independent.

2020 Liberty Flames football
Cure Bowl champion
Cure Bowl, W 37–34OT vs. Coastal Carolina
ConferenceIndependent
Ranking
CoachesNo. 18
APNo. 17
Record10–1
Head coach
Co-offensive coordinatorKent Austin (2nd season)
Co-offensive coordinatorMaurice Harris (2nd season)
Defensive coordinatorScott Symons (2nd season)
Home stadiumWilliams Stadium
(Capacity: 25,000)
2020 NCAA Division I FBS independents football records
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
No. 11 BYU     11 1  
No. 17 Liberty     10 1  
Army     9 3  
New Mexico State     1 1  
UMass     0 4  
  • Note: Due to COVID-19, UConn canceled the 2020 football season; New Mexico State was the only FBS school to play a spring schedule.
Rankings from AP Poll.

Schedule

Liberty had games scheduled against Bowling Green, North Carolina A&T, UConn, and UMass, which were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1][2] These games were partially replaced with new match-ups announced with Coastal Carolina and North Alabama. The games against NC State and Syracuse were rescheduled for different days for the 2020 season.[3]

Because of an increased number of COVID-19 cases within the football program, Liberty University's medical staff decided to pause its football team's activities and cancel the game with Coastal Carolina in Conway, South Carolina, scheduled for December 5.[4] Ironically, the two teams were selected to play in the Cure Bowl at season's end, a match-up that Liberty won.

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 1912:00 p.m.at Western KentuckyESPNUW 30–244,276
September 261:00 p.m.FIUESPNUW 36–341,000
October 31:00 p.m.North Alabama
  • Williams Stadium
  • Lynchburg, VA
ESPN3W 28–71,000
October 1012:00 p.m.Louisiana–Monroe
  • Williams Stadium
  • Lynchburg, VA
ESPN2W 40–71,000
October 1712:00 p.m.at SyracuseACCRSNW 38–210 (Behind closed doors)
October 241:00 p.m.Southern Miss
  • Williams Stadium
  • Lynchburg, VA
ESPN3W 56–351,000
November 712:00 p.m.at Virginia TechNo. 25ACCNW 38–351,000
November 1412:00 p.m.Western CarolinaNo. 22
  • Williams Stadium
  • Lynchburg, VA
ESPNUW 58–141,000
November 217:30 p.m.at NC StateNo. 21ACCRSNL 14–154,032
November 2712:00 p.m.UMass
  • Williams Stadium
  • Lynchburg, VA
ESPN3W 45–0
December 52:00 p.m.at No. 18 Coastal CarolinaESPNUNo contest[4] _
December 267:30 p.m.vs. No. 12 Coastal CarolinaESPNW 37–34 OT4,488
Schedule Source:[5][6]

Rankings

In week 5, Liberty received votes in the Coaches Poll for the first time in program history and the following week, they received votes in the AP Poll for the first time. In week 9, they were nationally ranked for the first time, when they were ranked at No. 25 in the AP Poll. They would spend 8 total weeks in the rankings, finishing at No. 17.

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
— = Not ranked. RV = Received votes.
Week
PollPre12345678910111213141516Final
APRVRVRV252221RV2522222317
CoachesRVRVRVRVRV2222RV2521212318
CFPNot releasedNot released

Game summaries

At Western Kentucky

Liberty at Western Kentucky
1 234Total
Flames 10 776 30
Hilltoppers 0 1077 24
     
Pregame lineOver/under
WKU −14.551.5[7]
StatisticsLibertyWestern Kentucky
First downs2719
Total yards487291
Rushing yards354110
Passing yards133181
Turnovers00
Time of possession34:5925:01
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
LibertyPassingMalik Willis13/21, 133 yards
RushingMalik Willis21 carries, 168 yards, 3 TDs
ReceivingCJ Yarbrough2 receptions, 53 yards
Western KentuckyPassingTyrrell Pigrome18/25, 181 yards, 3 TDs
RushingTyrrell Pigrome14 carries, 74 yards
ReceivingMitchell Tinsley6 receptions, 69 yards, 1 TD

FIU

Florida International at Liberty
1 234Total
Panthers 14 0146 34
Flames 14 0139 36
  • Date: September 26, 2020
  • Location: Williams Stadium
    Lynchburg, VA
  • Game start: 1:05 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 19 minutes
  • Game attendance: 1,000
  • Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: 3 E MPH
  • Referee: Riley Johnson
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Matt Warner (play–by–play), Joe Jauch (analyst), and Emily Austen (sideline reporter)
         
Pregame lineOver/under
LIB −759[8]
StatisticsFIULiberty
First downs1631
Total yards304527
Rushing yards168219
Passing yards136308
Turnovers00
Time of possession22:3937:21
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
FIUPassingStone Norton9/13, 120 yards, 2 TDs
RushingD'Vonte Price13 carries, 148 yards, 2 TDs
ReceivingBryce Singleton2 receptions, 50 yards, 1 TD
LibertyPassingMalik Willis24/30, 285 yards, 2 TDs
RushingJoshua Mack13 carries, 107 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingDJ Stubbs8 receptions, 119 yards, 1 TD

North Alabama

North Alabama at Liberty
1 234Total
Lions 0 007 7
Flames 0 7147 28
  • Date: October 3, 2020
  • Location: Williams Stadium
    Lynchburg, VA
  • Game start: 1:05 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 2 hours and 53 minutes
  • Game attendance: 1,000
  • Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: 7 E MPH
  • Referee: Duane Heydt
  • TV announcers (ESPN3): Matt Warner (play–by–play), Joe Jauch (analyst), and Emily Austen (sideline reporter)
  
Pregame lineOver/under
LIB −3365[9]
StatisticsNorth AlabamaLiberty
First downs1422
Total yards247357
Rushing yards63250
Passing yards184107
Turnovers31
Time of possession32:1027:50
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
North AlabamaPassingRett Files15/24, 156 yards, 2 INTs
RushingParker Driggers7 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingAndre Little1 reception, 47 yards
LibertyPassingChris Ferguson12/21, 64 yards, 3 TDs
RushingJoshua Mack16 carries, 130 yards
ReceivingCJ Yarbrough2 receptions, 43 yards

Louisiana–Monroe

Louisiana–Monroe at Liberty
1 234Total
Warhawks 0 007 7
Flames 14 1079 40
  • Date: October 10, 2020
  • Location: Williams Stadium
    Lynchburg, VA
  • Game start: 11:02 a.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 10 minutes
  • Game attendance:  
  • Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C) • Weather: Rainy • Wind: SW 5 MPH
  • Referee: Jeff Heaser
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Mike Couzens (play–by–play), Jay Walker (analyst), and Taylor Davis (sideline reporter)
    
Pregame lineOver/under
LIB −1763.5[10]
StatisticsLouisiana–MonroeLiberty
First downs1020
Total yards198400
Rushing yards78180
Passing yards120220
Turnovers32
Time of possession27:4932:11
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Louisiana–MonroePassingColby Suits13/29, 78 yards, 2 INTs
RushingJosh Johnson13 carries, 51 yards
ReceivingJosh Pederson2 receptions, 21 yards
LibertyPassingMalik Willis11/29, 177 yards, 1 INT
RushingMalik Willis13 carries, 87 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingDJ Stubbs2 receptions, 69 yards

At Syracuse

Liberty at Syracuse
1 234Total
Flames 14 7143 38
Orange 7 707 21
  • Date: October 17, 2020
  • Location: Carrier Dome
    Syracuse, NY
  • Game start: 12:00 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 8 minutes
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Game weather: Indoors
  • Referee: J. Magallanes
  • TV announcers (ACCRSN): Evan Lepler (play–by–play), Charles Arbuckle (analyst), Abby Labar (sideline reporter)
     
Pregame lineOver/under
LIB −3.553[11]
StatisticsLibertySyracuse
First downs2419
Total yards520308
Rushing yards33897
Passing yards182211
Turnovers21
Time of possession36:2423:36
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
LibertyPassingMalik Willis16/20, 182 yards, 1 TD
RushingShedro Louis10 carries, 170 yards, 2 TDs
ReceivingDJ Stubbs4 receptions, 58 yards, 1 TD
SyracusePassingRex Culpepper19/40, 211 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
RushingSean Tucker21 carries, 111 yards
ReceivingTaj Harris9 receptions, 96 yards, 1 TD

Southern Miss

Southern Mississippi at Liberty
1 234Total
Golden Eagles 7 0217 35
Flames 14 21714 56
  • Date: October 24, 2020
  • Location: Williams Stadium
    Lynchburg, VA
  • Game start: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 27 minutes
  • Game attendance: 1,000
  • Game weather: 80 °F (27 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: W 5 MPH
  • Referee: Billy Williams
  • TV announcers (ESPN3): Matt Warner (play–by–play), Joe Jauch (analyst), Emily Austen (sideline reporter)
         
Pregame lineOver/under
LIB −1459.5[12]
StatisticsSouthern MissLiberty
First downs1925
Total yards416537
Rushing yards215192
Passing yards201345
Turnovers11
Time of possession27:3732:23
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Southern MissPassingTate Whatley15/26, 188 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingTate Whatley12 carries, 52 yards, 4 TDs
ReceivingJason Brownlee5 receptions, 114, 1 TD
LibertyPassingMalik Willis24/31, 345, 6 TDs
RushingMalik Willis12 carries, 97 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingDemario Douglas6 receptions, 115 yards, 1 TD

At Virginia Tech

Liberty at Virginia Tech
1 234Total
No. 25 Flames 7 7717 38
Hokies 3 17015 35
  • Date: November 7, 2020
  • Location: Lane Stadium
    Blacksburg, VA
  • Game start: 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 22 minutes
  • Game attendance: 1,000
  • Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C) • Weather: Clear, nice • Wind: W 1 MPH
  • Referee: Stuart Mullins
  • TV announcers (ACCN): Chris Cotter (play–by–play), Mark Herzlich (analyst), Taylor Davis (sideline reporter)
        
Pregame lineOver/under
VT −1767.5[13]
StatisticsLibertyVirginia Tech
First downs2924
Total yards466418
Rushing yards249201
Passing yards217217
Turnovers21
Time of possession37:2722:33
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
LibertyPassingMalik Willis20/30, 217 yards, 3 TDs
RushingMalik Willis19 carries, 108 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingCJ Yarbrough5 receptions, 65 yards, 1 TD
Virginia TechPassingHendon Hooker20/27, 217 yards, 3 TDs
RushingHendon Hooker20 carries, 156 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingTré Turner6 receptions, 90 yards, 1 TD

The game featured a wild finish as Liberty got into field goal range with 8 seconds left to go in a 35–35 tie. Facing a 4th and 6 at the Virginia Tech 41-yard line, disaster appeared to strike when Liberty 59-yard field goal attempt was blocked and returned for a touchdown by Virginia Tech's Jermaine Waller with no time remaining. However, Virginia Tech had called a timeout to try to Icing the kicker before the play. Liberty then decided to go for it on fourth down, and got a 8-yard pass completion for a first down after Virginia Tech mistakenly thought that Flames would try a Hail Mary and went to a prevent defense. With 5 seconds remaining, the Flames converted a 51-yard field goal to win the game.[14]

Western Carolina

Western Carolina at Liberty
1 234Total
Catamounts 0 770 14
Flames 7 211416 58
  • Date: November 14, 2020
  • Location: Williams Stadium
    Lynchburg, VA
  • Game start: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Elapsed time:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBD MPH
  • Referee:  
  • Television network: ESPN3
Pregame lineOver/under
  
StatisticsWestern CarolinaLiberty
First downs  
Total yards  
Rushing yards  
Passing yards  
Turnovers  
Time of possession  
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western CarolinaPassing  
Rushing  
Receiving  
LibertyPassing  
Rushing  
Receiving  

At NC State

Liberty at NC State
1 234Total
Flames 0 770 14
Wolfpack 0 726 15
  • Date: November 21, 2020
  • Location: Carter–Finley Stadium
    Raleigh, NC
  • Game start: TBD EST
  • Elapsed time:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBD MPH
  • Referee:  
  • Television network:  
Pregame lineOver/under
  
StatisticsLibertyNC State
First downs  
Total yards  
Rushing yards  
Passing yards  
Turnovers  
Time of possession  
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
LibertyPassing  
Rushing  
Receiving  
NC StatePassing  
Rushing  
Receiving  

At Coastal Carolina

Liberty and Coastal Carolina
1 234OTTotal
Flames 14 37103 37
Chanticleers 0 136150 34
  • Date: December 5, 2020
  • Location: Brooks Stadium
    Conway, Sc
  • Game start: TBD EST
  • Elapsed time:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBD MPH
  • Referee:  
  • Television network:  
Pregame lineOver/under
  
StatisticsLibertyCoastal Carolina
First downs  
Total yards  
Rushing yards  
Passing yards  
Turnovers  
Time of possession  
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
LibertyPassing  
Rushing  
Receiving  
Coastal CarolinaPassing  
Rushing  
Receiving  

References

  1. "MEAC suspends all fall sports for indefinite period". ESPN.com. July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  2. "ACC Announces Plans for Football and Fall Olympic Sports". TheACC.com. July 29, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  3. "ACC Unveils 2020 Football Schedule". TheACC.com. August 6, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  4. Domingo, Ida (December 4, 2020). "Liberty, Coastal Carolina game canceled after coronavirus concerns within football program". WSET-TV. MSN.com.
  5. "2020 Liberty Flames Schedule". ESPN. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  6. "2020 Season Football Schedule". Liberty Flames. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  7. "Liberty Flames vs WKU Hilltoppers". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  8. "FIU Panthers vs Liberty Flames". Odds Shark. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  9. "North Alabama Lions vs Liberty Flames". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  10. "Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks vs Liberty Flames". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  11. "Liberty Flames vs Syracuse Orange". Odds Shark. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  12. "Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs Liberty Flames". Odds Shark. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  13. "Liberty Flames vs Virginia Tech". Odds Shark. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  14. "Liberty @ Virginia Tech - ESPN Game ID". ESPN. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
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