Game Day: Coastal Carolina
12/2/2020 12:00:00 AM | Football
Former Big South rivals return to face each other after both have transitioned to the FBS level when No. 25 Liberty takes on No. 14 Coastal Carolina in Conway, S.C.
Game Day Central Links:
• Live Audio (LFSN Radio)
• Live Stats (GoCCUSports.com)
• Live Video (ESPNU)
Official Kickoff:
7:35 p.m. (EST)
TV Coverage:
ESPNU
Play-By-Play Broadcaster: Bill Roth
Color Analyst: Dustin Fox
Sidelines: N/A
Radio Coverage:
Liberty Flames Sports Network – Radio
LFSN Radio Network Affiliates List
• Pregame: 12:30 p.m. (EST)
Play-By-Play Broadcaster: Alan York
Color Commentator: Paul Rutigliano
Sidelines: Nick Pierce
Pregame: Nick Pierce and Alan York
Saturday's Top Storylines
1. No. 25/25 Liberty (9-1) will close out its regular-season schedule at No. 14/14 Coastal Carolina (9-0, 7-0 Sun Belt) on Saturday with the Flames' first-ever clash between two FBS Top 25 teams.
2. The former Big South Conference rivals will be meeting for the 15th time overall but for the first time as FBS opponents and the first time since 2016. The all-time head-to-head series is deadlocked at 7-7 and Liberty has outscored Coastal Carolina by nine total points (433-424) in those 14 contests.
3. Liberty is seeking its first-ever victory over an FBS Top 25 opponent. A win would also tie the Flames' single-season record of 10 wins, set in 2008.
4. Liberty QB Malik Willis, a recent addition to the Maxwell Award Watch List (best all-around FBS player), is the only FBS player to rank among the nation's top 15 for both passing TDs (20) and rushing TDs (10). Willis leads all FBS QBs with a team-high 807 rushing yards.
5. Liberty ranks No. 8 nationally with 252.1 rushing yards per game. The Flames are 13-0 under Hugh Freeze when outrushing their opponent, including 8-0 this season.
6. The Liberty defense ranks among the nation's leaders in total yards allowed (No. 9, 301.2 yards/game). Last week against UMass, the Flames pitched their first shutout since 2016. They are allowing just 9.7 ppg over the last three outings.
A Liberty Win Would ...
• Mark the Flames' first-ever victory over an FBS Top 25 opponent (in their third try).
• Match the program record for most victories in a season. The 2008 Flames finished 10-2.
• Make the Flames one of the nation's first FBS teams to reach 10 wins this season. 9-0 Notre Dame hosts Syracuse at 2:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon.
• Give the Flames an 8-7 edge in their all-time head-to-head series with Coastal Carolina.
• Boost the Flames' all-time record against Sun Belt opponents to 6-1.
• Give the Flames their first season with four or more road wins since 2014, when Liberty went 5-3 away from Lynchburg, including a win at Coastal Carolina.
• Snap Coastal Carolina's 10-game overall winning streak and the Chanticleers' six-game home winning streak.
