LYNCHBURG, Va. - A 25-yard field goal and a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter helped secure a 38-21 Big South Conference victory for Liberty in a tightly-contested game over Coastal Carolina, Nov. 15, at Williams Stadium.
Liberty took the first lead of the game as Eugene Goodman carried the ball six times on a nine-play drive, including a five-yard carry for a touchdown to give the Flames a 7-0 lead with 4:45 left in the opening quarter.
However, Coastal Carolina quickly responded as
Tyler Thigpen completed a 37-yard sideline pass play to
Chris McDonald for a score just three minutes later.
The score remained the same until late in the second quarter when Thigpen found
Chris Noble open for a 26-yard scoring striking with 1:04 left before the intermission, giving the Chanticleers a 14-7 lead heading into halftime.
Liberty tied the game up on the second play of the second half as Marlon Roman batted down a lateral from Thigpen on Coastal's nine-yard line, while Seth Reichart scooped up the loose ball and returned it for a touchdown, tying the game at 14-14.
The Flames regained the lead for good later in the quarter as Liberty took to the ground game again as three-consecutive short rushing attempt by Goodman were followed up by a breakout 39-yard scamper up the left side of the field for a score, giving the Flames a 21- 14 lead with 5:45 left to play in third quarter.
Liberty cushioned its lead on the first play of the fourth quarter as Gus Condon found Sam Gado open on the sideline for a 40-yard touchdown pass just 11 seconds into the final period to extended the Flames advantage to 28-14.
The Chanticleers pulled back within seven points five minutes later as
Demetrius Morant capped off a seven-play, 38-yard drive with a one-yard run up the middle for a touchdown with 9:45 left on the game clock.
Three drives later, Condon's deep pass down the field was picked off by
Greg Williamson at the Coastal nine-yard line, giving the Chanticleers the ball with 3:40 left to play. However, on the third play of the next drive, Kevin Moon picked off back-up quarterback
Ren McKinnon's pass to thwart the Chanticleers' late-effort heroics.
Four consecutive rushes later set up a 25-yard field goal by Scott Kiovsky to give the Flames a 10-point lead with 1:19 left in the ball game.
The Flames sealed their third-consecutive win and fifth of the season three plays later as Erick Harris picked off another McKinnon pass play and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown, giving Liberty's its final 17- point margin of victory.
Thipgen proved to be Coastal Carolina's top offensive threat as the quarterback completed 7-of-11 pass attempts for 105 yards and two touchdown passes.
