![Liberty football not setting goals, chasing โThe Standardโ after historic 2020](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/rjsKOTLdI7f1BLaYK6biHZaBTf4=/800x450/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/08-12-2021/t_68a2767aef3e4d379eff175b27b580f5_name_image.jpg)
Liberty football not setting goals, chasing โThe Standardโ after historic 2020
Itโs hard to believe after their historic season last year, the Liberty Flames have the opportunity to be even better in 2021.
![No. 25 Liberty Flames heading to Blacksburg Saturday to take on Virginia Tech](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/OOJzcQpO9ZF00PgnNx9lAbnSHr8=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/PEALN7H7P5BKPLQ4VWHUXNV3XQ.bmp)
No. 25 Liberty Flames heading to Blacksburg Saturday to take on Virginia Tech
25 in the AP Poll, they head straight into one of the toughest battles on their schedule at Virginia Tech. โTheyโre bigger, faster, stronger and deeper,โ Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze said. Tech is averaging 290 yards a game, Liberty just 35 yards less. โBeing able to run the ball is something we take pride in,โ Liberty offensive lineman Thomas Sargeant said. โIf we canโt run the ball, the offense is only one dimensional.โโTheir running backs are big and powerful, some are small and fast,โ Virginia Tech Head Coach Justin Fuente said.
![Freeze welcomes alma mater as Liberty preps for Southern Miss](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/NZcPD9ZqC4BlQnFSQ6v2vDpN8KA=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/10-24-2020/t_435cb3f93f894c4a8f6d3706448df669_name_image.jpg)
Freeze welcomes alma mater as Liberty preps for Southern Miss
โI want to beat Southern Miss. I have fond memories of being at Southern Miss, meeting my wife there and so many dear friends there that I met but โฆ you want to win,โ Freeze said. Southern Miss hasnโt played since Oct. 3, having had two games postponed due to COVID issues. And just Tuesday, Southern Miss announced that interim head coach Scotty Walden tested positive for the virus. And we have a game with Southern Miss on Saturday, we donโt entertain the possibility it could be canceled.
![Liberty moves to 3-0 after a 28-7 win over North Alabama](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/CWgxYaBxgyKjUlqTIbuhsDT_Rr0=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/10-04-2020/t_4e5c6ffa246b4a6e952b4b17cafc75b8_name_image.jpg)
Liberty moves to 3-0 after a 28-7 win over North Alabama
LYNCHBURG, Va. โ In the first meeting between the two teams on the gridiron, the Liberty Flames defeated the North Alabama Lions 28-7. This is the first time since 2017 that Liberty has started the season 3-0. Ferguson finished with 3 passing TDs. While the passing game wasnโt quite as effective, the rushing attack was relentless. For the third straight game, running back Joshua Mack tallied more than 100 yards (130) while the team finished with 250 yards.
Flames ready to open the season with Western Kentucky on Saturday
LYNCHBURG, Va. โ For nearly the past four years, more than 1,400 days, 43 games to be exact, only one man was under center for the Liberty Flames-- Stephen โBuckshotโ Calvert. With the record setting passer now graduated, the Flames turn to Malik Willis to be the starting quarterback in the season opener. โI appreciate the faith they placed in me and I just want to go out there and do what they tell me to do and the right way, you know,โ Willis said. As they prepare to open the season with Western Kentucky, the Flames will face a defense that ranked 4th in passing in Conference USA last season and returns with the conferenceโs reigning defensive player of the year DeโAngelo Malone at defensive end. The Hilltoppers offense is a work in progress with grad transfer Tyrrell Pigrome at quarterback but experience is on the side of Western Kentucky.