Ferguson Steps in, Defense Shines as Flames Earn a 28-7 Victory Over North Alabama

The Flames – 30-point favorites heading into the game – struggled to find their rhythm, but grinded toward a 28-7 victory over FCS opponent North Alabama Saturday.

Though the offense sputtered in the first half, Liberty’s defense, led by linebacker Anthony Butler (nine tackles, two interceptions and one sack), shined throughout the game and the rushing attack came alive for the Flames during the second half to top the Lions and remain undefeated.

“The first half did not meet the expectations of us being mentally ready to play this game,” Head Coach Hugh Freeze said. “But like we always say, a game is not 30 minutes – nor is it 15 – it is 60 minutes and (at halftime) we (had) 30 more minutes to change the way we approach this game.”

One question heading into Saturday’s game was who would start as quarterback for the Flames.

Malik Willis, who burst out of the gates for the Flames in their first two weeks – rushing for a team-leading 253 yards and three TDs, in addition to throwing for 418 yards and two touchdowns – dislocated his elbow in the fourth quarter of last week’s game against FIU. Willis warmed up before the game, but backup Chris Ferguson got the start on Saturday.

“Malik (Willis) could have played today, but we really felt that it was wise for him to have another week without any contact on (his) elbow,” Freeze said.

The start for Ferguson was his first since Oct. 12, 2019, when he was playing for the University of Maine – the same game that he suffered a season-ending foot injury that cut his junior year at Maine short and ultimately led to his transfer to LU.

“It was exciting,” Ferguson said. “I kind of took a moment to think about how long it’s been since the last time I started. … It was a big blessing from God to be able to get healthy (and) to be at a place like Liberty to give me all the facilities … and help me be ready to play a game again.”

Early in the first quarter Liberty’s defense, which was already missing several players, suffered another loss when defensive end Tre’Shaun Clark was called for targeting and disqualified for the rest of the game. The big hit on UNA quarterback Blake Dever knocked him out of the game, forcing redshirt sophomore Rett Files to take the reins under center.

Both teams struggled to get much of anything going on offense in the first quarter, which drew to a close in a scoreless tie. Penalties also proved to be an issue in the opening quarter, as the teams combined for seven flags and over 70 yards of penalties.

In Clark’s absence, several younger players received extra snaps and helped to spark scoring opportunities for the Flames. One such player, true freshman defensive end Stephen Sings, stepped up with a big sack to open the second quarter, setting up the offense with a short field.

“When I first got out there (on the field), I was kind of nervous,” Sings said. “And I was like, ‘Steph, just calm down (and) just play football.’ … I kept breathing and calming down … and plays just happened, I just played. I didn’t think about the play that was going on, I just went out there and just played.”

After LU kicker Alex Barbir missed a field goal that hit off the right upright, the defense once again rose to the occasion for Liberty when safety Javon Scruggs forced a fumble that was recovered by cornerback Emanuel Dabney. The takeaway was the first of the season for the

Flames and paved the way for a 7-yard touchdown pass from Ferguson to Demario Douglas to open the scoring.

On the next drive, North Alabama got its offense going as Files found wide receiver Andre Little wide open down the left sideline for a 47-yard gain that set the Lions up in the red zone.

On third down at the Liberty 5-yard line, Files tried to find a receiver over the middle in the endzone but Butler tipped the pass and intercepted the ball to halt the UNA drive.

“I didn’t really know it was that big of a play until we actually got on the sideline and really was like, ‘Wow. We just killed a whole drive,’” Butler said. “That was pretty big.”

Butler again came up big for the Flames on the next UNA drive.

The Lions moved the ball into Liberty territory as time ticked down towards the end of the half. On third down from the LU 29 Butler sacked Files to push back North Alabama, and kicker Joe Gurley missed the ensuing 51-yard field goal attempt wide left to keep the LU lead at 7-0 heading into the locker room.

Liberty jumped right out in the second half, scoring on its first drive thanks to a 46-yard run from Joshua Mack that set up a 12-yard leaping touchdown grab by D.J. Stubbs to make it 14-0 Flames.

After forcing a three-and-out on defense, Liberty would strike again thanks to more big gains from the rushing attack. Running back Shedro Louis featured on the drive with a 30-yard run deep into UNA territory and Ferguson capped it off with a 2-yard touchdown pass to former walk-on wide receiver Brody Brumm.

Ferguson finished his day after completing 12-of-21 passes for 64 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions – a performance that Freeze appreciated but saw room for improvement.

“His numbers aren’t bad, and he took care of the football, but he missed some throws that we expect him to make too,” Freeze said. “But it was his first start – and throwing three touchdowns is pretty good … I thought he did some good things but was inconsistent.”

UNA again moved the ball across midfield on its next drive before Butler made his second interception of the day on a pass that was deflected by Sings.

Third-string quarterback Johnathan Bennett took the rest of the snaps during the game. In his first action of the 2020 season, Bennett led the Flames down the field and threw a five-yard TD to tight end Chris Barrett to put Liberty up 28-0.

It looked like the Flames would have a shot at their first shutout since 2016 after Gurley missed his second field goal attempt of the afternoon, but fifth-year senior K.J. Smith intercepted Bennett on Liberty’s first play of the next drive, setting up UNA for the score. Wide receiver Parker Driggers ran it in for the Lions out of the wildcat formation to make it 28-7 – a tally that would be the final score of the game.

Freeze said he was happy with the Flames defensive play. The unit finished the game with six sacks and three turnovers while allowing only 247 yards of total offense.

“I thought our defense played pretty sound and we played a lot of kids over there (on the defense), which was good,” Freeze said. “Unfortunately, we put them in a bad spot there at the end with the turnover on offense or I think they would probably have (recorded) a shutout.”

On the offensive side of the ball, the running game carried Liberty to victory, especially in the second half. Despite the team’s leading rusher Willis missing the game, the Flames ran for 182 yards in the second half and 250 total for the game, led by Mack who totaled over 100 yards for the third straight game – the first LU rusher since Carrington Mosely in 2017 to reach that mark.

Mack said that the running backs and the offensive line took it upon themselves to make plays in the second half, leading to the Flames victory.

“We had success running the ball the first two weeks, so we knew the second half we were going to have to come out and do that (again),” Mack said. “(The) big boys (on the offensive line) took it upon themselves and we got the job done because we put up 21 (points) in the second half and most of the time it was running the ball. … If it wasn’t (for) COVID, it would be steaks on me for the o-line.”

For Freeze, the performance of his team was not up to expectations, but he is glad to remain undefeated this season and to be moving ahead to another opponent next week.

“We are happy to be 3-0,” Freeze said. “This one means as much as last week’s (win), even though that is two weeks in a row that I don’t feel that we have played great football. I have got to figure out how to get us ready for next week to play a good game.”

Liberty (3-0) remains at home this week to take on Louisiana-Monroe (0-4) – a team that is coming off a heartbreaking loss to LU’s 2019 Cure Bowl opponent Georgia Southern and will be looking for its first win of the season. Kickoff next Saturday is noon EST with national TV coverage on ESPNU.

Christian Weaner is the Asst. Sports Editor. Follow him on Twitter at @christianweaner.