Liberty University
7-4
Louisiana
10-1 , 7-0
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 7 | 14 | 7 | 14 | 42 |
| Liberty | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
No. 21/22 Louisiana End Flames Home Win Streak
11/20/2021 9:11:00 PM | Football
Postgame Press Conference: Head Coach Hugh Freeze
Postgame Press Conference: Storey Jackson
Postgame Press Conference: Kevin Shaa
Postgame Press Conference: Malik Willis
The Flames pulled within a score during the third quarter only to see No. 21/22 Louisiana score the game's final three touchdowns to secure a 42-14 road victory at Williams Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The loss snaps Liberty's program record 15-game home winning streak, which began in 2019. Coming into the weekend, Liberty's home win streak ranked as the fourth longest active FBS home win streak in the country.
The Ragin' Cajuns only outgained the Flames by three yards on the day, 296 to 293, but Liberty finished the game with a season-high six turnovers (three interceptions and three fumbles lost).
Liberty's rushing attack, which ranked No. 33 in the country (195.1 yards per game), finished the day with 87 yards on 34 carries, its second lowest rushing total of the season.
Malik Willis finished the day completing 14-of-34 passing attempts for 162 yards and two touchdowns. The redshirt junior was sacked seven times on the day, giving Liberty's opponents 45 sacks through 11 games in 2021 (4.1 per game).
Green led the Flames' limited rushing attack with four carries for 56 yards. Willis carried the ball 20 of Liberty's 34 times, tallying 28 rushing yards.
Kevin Shaa caught both of Willis' touchdown passes. The redshirt senior finished the game with five receptions for 72 yards and his 10th and 11th career touchdown receptions.
A pair of Liberty linebackers led the Flames defensive. Rashaad Harding led all tacklers with 10 stops (five solo, five assisted), followed by seven tackles by Storey Jackson (five solo, two assisted).
Box Score Highlights:
Final Score: 42-14
Liberty (7-4)
No. 21/22 Louisiana (10-1, 7-0 Sun Belt)
Location: Williams Stadium (Lynchburg, Va.)
Attendance: 15,564
Turning Point:
After surviving the first half where Liberty only allowed 101 total offensive yards to Louisiana and rushed 21 times for negative two rushing yards, the Flames pulled within a score on their first drive of the second half.
However, the Flames turned the ball over on the next three drives to end Liberty's comeback attempt. Willis was intercepted on back-to-back drives and the quarterback was sacked on a fourth-down play on the third drive Louisiana's seventh sack of the game.
Meanwhile, the visitors scored twice during the same timespan to secure control, pushing their lead to 35-14 during the opening seconds of the fourth quarter.
Play-By-Play Breakdown:
First Quarter
- Both team's offenses struggled during the opening 15 minutes of play with the two teams combining for 114 total offensive yards on 39 plays (2.9 yards per play).
- After Louisiana gained only seven yards on its first three drives of the game, the Ragin' Cajuns got their offense going late in the first quarter. Louisiana pieced together a 10-play, 41-yard drive that was capped by a four-yard touchdown pass from Levi Lewis to John Stephens, giving the visitors a 7-0 lead at 1:57.
Second Quarter
- Louisiana doubled its lead with a quick strike drive (three plays, 56 yards) during the opening of the second quarter. Lewis lofted a 15-yard touchdown pass over a defender to Kyren Lacy on the second play of the quarter, giving the Ragin' Cajuns a 14-0 edge.
- The Flames' second special teams mishap of the game allowed the visitors to push their lead to 21-0 with 9:06 left before halftime. Punter Max Morgan was unable to handle a snap from near midfield and Louisiana's Dalen Cambre scooped up the loose ball and returned it 26 yards for a score.
- The Flames quickly responded with their first sustained drive of the opening half. Liberty capped a six-play, 78-yard drive, which included a 44-yard pass from wide receiver DJ Stubbs, with a 29-yard touchdown pass from Willis to Kevin Shaa at 7:14 to pull the Flames back within two scores, 21-7.
Third Quarter
- After getting a touchdown called back near the end of the second quarter due to a penalty, the Flames would not be denied pulling within seven, 21-14, on their third offensive play of the third. Willis avoided continued pressure and hit Shaa in stride for a 30-yard touchdown pass at 11:57.
- The Ragin' Cajuns responded on their next drive, pushing the lead back to two scores, 28-14, at 7:44. The eight-play, 74-yard drive saw Louisiana keep it on the ground six times, including a two-yard rushing touchdown by Montrell Johnson.
Fourth Quarter
- The Ragin' Cajuns put the game out of reach on the second play of the fourth quarter. Lewis found Neal Johnson open in the end zone from two-yards out at 14:11 to finish off a six-play, 65-yard drive and push the lead to 35-14.
- Louisiana capped off the road win with one final touchdown during the game's final three minutes. The Ragin' Cajuns scored the game's final touchdown at the 2:26 mark on a two-yard touchdown run by Emani Bailey, finishing off a 12-play, 66-yard drive.
What's Next:
The Flames will close out their regular season schedule, next Saturday, when the Flames welcome Army to Williams Stadium. The Senior Day game will kick off at 12 p.m. and be broadcast on ESPN+ and LFSN Radio.
Date: Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021
Location: Lynchburg (Williams Stadium)
TV: 12:00 p.m.
Radio: LFSN Radio (Flagship Station: The Journey 88.3 FM Lynchburg)
Kickoff: ESPN+
Team Stats
LOU 7, LIBERTY 0
LOU - Stephens,John 4 yd pass from Lewis,Levi (Snyder,Nate kick) 10 plays, 41 yards, TOP 3:43
LOU 14, LIBERTY 0
LOU - Lacy,Kyren 15 yd pass from Lewis,Levi (Snyder,Nate kick) 3 plays, 56 yards, TOP 0:50
LOU 21, LIBERTY 0
LOU - Cambre,Dalen 26 yd fumble recovery (Snyder,Nate kick)
LOU 21, LIBERTY 7
LIBERTY - SHAA, K. 29 yd pass from WILLIS, M. (BECK, B. kick) 6 plays, 78 yards, TOP 1:46
LOU 21, LIBERTY 14
LIBERTY - SHAA, K. 30 yd pass from WILLIS, M. (BECK, B. kick) 3 plays, 40 yards, TOP 1:18
LOU 28, LIBERTY 14
LOU - Johnson,Montrel 2 yd run (Snyder,Nate kick), 8 plays, 74 yards, TOP 4:03
LOU 35, LIBERTY 14
LOU - Johnson,Neal 2 yd pass from Lewis,Levi (Snyder,Nate kick) 6 plays, 65 yards, TOP 2:22
LOU 42, LIBERTY 14
LOU - Bailey,Emani 2 yd run (Snyder,Nate kick), 12 plays, 66 yards, TOP 7:58
