AP Poll Ranking One of Many Milestones In 2020 For Rapidly Improving Football Program

Liberty football’s success in 2019 was a privilege to behold. In their first year of FBS bowl eligibility, the Flames went 8-5 and secured a 23-16 Cure Bowl win over Georgia Southern. The season was filled with special moments, new program records and a draft class that saw star wide receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden get drafted in the fourth round by the Washington Football Team and Jessie Lemonier sign a post-draft contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. 

But the 2020 season has been the year that Liberty football fans were waiting for – and an AP top-25 spot is the latest benchmark of that success.

For just the third time in program history, the Flames jumped out of the gate with a 6-0 record (tied for a program-best with the 1989 and 2008 squads), which included their first win against an ACC program when they dominated Syracuse 38-21 Oct. 17 in New York. 

But the biggest upgrade from last season is Malik Willis taking over Calvert’s role as signal caller. 

I say “upgrade” with all due respect to Buckshot. He holds 14 passing records in Liberty football history, including most career passing touchdowns with 93 and most career total yards of offense with 11,552. Furthermore, he engineered one of the seminal moments in Liberty football history, guiding the Flames to a thrilling 48-45 victory over Baylor, their first win over a Power 5 program. 

However, Calvert tended to be erratic with his decision-making, inaccurate with his passing and limited with his mobility. Willis changes the game in each of those areas.

While it took him several weeks to get used to the Flames offense, Willis has found a groove and is taking excellent care of the ball, throwing only one interception in five games. Willis’ completion rate is 67% through five games, an incredible clip at the halfway point of the season. 

Furthermore, Willis has thrown for 1,122 yards as well as nine touchdowns. He has also rushed for 579 yards and six scores. To put that in perspective, he has accounted for over 56% of Liberty’s offensive yards gained, and over 55% of all touchdowns scored. Those are impressive numbers by any account, and he’s guided Liberty to a remarkable first few weeks of the season. 

For a growing team, entering a game as favorites can be a serious mental challenge, and the Flames have often suffered in the past from that weight. 

Last season, Liberty had winnable opportunities to beat a struggling Rutgers Scarlet Knights team and was twice within one touchdown of the BYU Cougars – but then dropped both games, 44-34 and 31-24. But this year, Willis has provided the spark the Flames needed – and they are slowly growing into their shoes as a rising football power. 

The Syracuse game is the biggest testament to that fact. Even though Syracuse is a Power Five school, they were 1-3 going into the game and gave up nearly four touchdowns per contest at that point. The Flames were fully capable of beating the Orange, and they did so in commanding fashion to improve to 5-0 and vault themselves into the Top 25 conversation – a feat they have now accomplished, grabbing the No. 25 spot in the AP poll following their bye last weekend.

With COVID-19 affecting fan attendance and changing the energy at William Stadium, Liberty’s players have not been able to rely on fans to provide that extra push to victory. 

This year, the Flames possess an infectious swagger and joy, which is vital now that fan attendance is limited due to COVID-19 regulations. Whenever a big play happens, three or four players swarm their teammate that just made the exceptional play – creating a momentum swing even without fans. 

This energy was particularly evident in their 36-34 win over Florida International Sept. 26. Liberty trailed 7-0 after the Panthers returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, and trailed heading into the fourth quarter 28-27. But neither deficit phased the Flames, who remained poised and pulled off some spectacular plays, remaining positive despite the circumstances. 

In many ways, what we’re seeing from Liberty’s efforts on the gridiron this year are unprecedented. The rest of the Flames schedule will be difficult, as they face three ranked and formerly-ranked opponents on the road. But with Willis at the helm and their ability to close out winnable games with an almost-tangible joy, this 2020 squad holds the chance to leave a lasting legacy of unprecedented greatness.

John Simmons is the Web Manager. Follow him on Twitter at @JohnSimmonsJr7.