December 26, 2020. ESPN’s Roy Philpott makes the call.
“To force a second overtime, a 42-yard field goal attempt from the right hash, Massimo Biscardi,” Philpott said.
Everyone knows what happened next. The kick was swatted by senior defensive tackle Elijah James, and suddenly, the Flames were back-to-back Cure Bowl champions. The scenes of ecstasy echoed around Camping World Stadium as the Flames celebrated their greatest achievement in program history.
It was almost fitting that Liberty, who had lost its perfect season to a blocked field goal against NC State, denied Coastal its chance at perfection in the exact same manner.
That was last season however, something Hugh Freeze made clear in a press conference.
“It’s time for us to flip the script from the 2020 season,” Freeze said. “It has nothing to do with this season. Zero.”
Now, the Flames turn their attention to the next campaign, hoping to do even better than the last.
How can the Flames improve, however? The team ended the season ranked No. 17 in the AP Poll—the highest in program history—and the team’s 10 wins matched its previous all-time program high set in 2008.
The team is largely the same as the one that went 10-1 last year, with 16 seniors electing to use their extra year of eligibility that they were granted due to the pandemic.
The returning talent includes dynamic receivers DJ Stubbs and Kevin Shaa, who provide a constant aerial threat, while running back Joshua Mack brings steady production on the ground. Mack averaged 5.7 yards per carry last season.
Kicker Alex Barbir can convert when three points are needed. Both his 51-yard field goal with 0:01 left in the game against Virginia Tech and his overtime go-ahead one against Coastal show his composure.
The spotlight of the team, however, will shine brightly on quarterback Malik Willis.
Following two seasons at Auburn in which he failed to break through, Willis transferred to Liberty in the summer of 2019. He was denied an immediate eligibility waiver, which forced him to redshirt the 2019 season.
Coming into the 2020 season, there was a three-way battle for the Flames’ starting job, but Willis took it and never looked back. Willis started 10 of 11 games last season (he missed one game against University of North Alabama due to injury), posting otherworldly stats along the way.
His 2,260 passing yards were complemented by his 944 rushing yards, the most for any quarterback in the nation. Analysts were wowed by his performances—many knew of Willis’ athleticism, but his arm strength stood out, along with his ever-improving decision-making skills.
Now, scouts have frequented Liberty practices to get a glimpse of the Flames’ most-coveted talent since Eric Green. Green went 21st in the 1990 NFL Draft. Malik has potential to go even higher if he has a stellar season this fall.
Crucial to Willis’ development is Head Coach Hugh Freeze. Freeze is returning for his third year with the Flames, and after some speculation that Power-5 school offers could tempt him away, Liberty and Freeze agreed to an extension through the 2026 season.
Freeze has pedigree at the top of college football, taking Ole Miss as high as No. 3 in the AP Poll in 2014 and 2015. His knowledge of the game, combined with Willis and the Flames’ drive, should bode well for this season.
It will not be a cakewalk, however. The Flames have tough games on their schedule, and any team in college football can provide an upset.
The Flames start their season against FCS opponent Campbell Sept. 4 before a road trip takes them to Alabama to face Troy University. The Flames then travel back to Lynchburg to face Old Dominion, who was subject to a 52-10 battering in the Flames’ first game in the FBS.
Syracuse will provide Liberty with a challenge Sept. 24. Each school has won once in the last two years. The Flames should be in for smooth sailing against UAB, Middle Tennessee and ULM, but again, anything can happen in sports.
The rest of the season is going to test the mettle of the Flames. Liberty has a revenge match against North Texas, who embarrassed the Flames 47-7 in Williams Stadium in 2018. Admittedly, North Texas is much weaker now, but the Flames will still be motivated on gameday.
A home game against UMass, a team Liberty beat 45-0 last fall, sets the Flames up for their final three games.
It will be a homecoming for Hugh Freeze, who will return to Ole Miss coaching against his former team. A win here would be the Flames’ first against SEC competition.
Louisiana, who finished 15 in the AP Poll last season, will travel to Lynchburg Nov. 20, and a week later, Army will come to play the Flames. Army’s triple-option offense gave the Flames problems the last time they faced off, and the team will need to address it this time if they want to clinch the victory.
While nobody knows what will happen this season, Willis is not worried.
“There are no certainties in life but the here and now,” Willis wrote in a piece that was featured in Flames Illustrated. “As long as I work hard and lean on my faith in God, everything else will fall into place as it should.”
Willis is currently dealing with tendonitis in his throwing arm, but he is still likely to start for the season.
The Flames take the field at Williams Stadium Saturday, Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. against Campbell.
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