3 minute read
TODAY’S GAME
MALIK WILLIS, QB
STORYLINES
1) Coming off contests against nationally ranked opponents, Liberty (7-4) will close out its 2021 regular season by hosting fellow FBS independent Army (7-3) at Williams Stadium for the first time in program history.
2) Liberty, which has won its last three meetings against FBS independent teams, is seeking its first-ever victory over Army. The Black Knights posted a 38-14 home win over Liberty in the only previous head-to-head matchup on Sept. 8, 2018.
3) Despite having its program-record 15-game home winning streak snapped by Louisiana last week, Liberty is 20-3 at Williams Stadium as an FBS program, including 15-2 under Hugh Freeze.
4) Liberty QB Malik Willis has accounted for 33 TDs (23 passing/10 rushing). He, Matt Corral (Ole Miss), and Malik Cunningham (Louisville) are the only three FBS QBs ranked among the top 50 nationally for both passing TDs and rushing TDs this season.
1 - Army’s first appearance at Williams Stadium will mark the Black Knights’ first contest in the state of Virginia since losing at Virginia 21-20 on Oct. 17, 1970, a year before Liberty was founded. Liberty is coming off its first home loss since the 2019 season opener, while the Black Knights have not won a road game since their 2021 opener at Georgia State.
2 – The Flames have only lost twice in their last 15 Senior Day contests at Williams Stadium. Liberty is averaging 48.3 ppg during its current four-game Senior Day winning streak. 3 - This is the third straight season Liberty is hosting a fellow FBS independent team for the Flames’ regular-season finale, following visits from New Mexico State in 2019 and UMass in 2020. The Flames are scheduled to close out their tenure as an FBS independent squad with a home matchup against New Mexico State (Nov. 26, 2022).
4 - Army ranks No. 2 nationally with 309.4 rushing yards per game. The Black Knights will be the fourth team among the nation’s top seven rushing offenses Liberty has faced in 2021. The Flames previously met North Texas (No. 4), Ole Miss (No. 6), and Syracuse (No. 7).
SENIOR SALUTE
Liberty will honor 25 players with a Senior Day ceremony before Saturday’s game. Seniors to be honored will be Benjamin Alexander, Damian Bounds, Frank Boyd, Jake Brickell, William Green, Rashaad Harding, Trevor Hobbs, Johnny Huntley, Storey Jackson, Elijah James, Andrew Johns, Duron Lowe, Joshua Mack, Bryce Mathews, Cade Robinson, Boyd Rogish, Ralfs Rusins, Thomas Sargeant, Tristan Schultz, Kevin Shaa, Tyron Staples, Cedric Stone, DJ Stubbs, Skyler Thomas, and Malik Willis.
MILESTONE WATCH
2: QB Malik Willis needs two TDs to break his own Liberty single-season record for most touchdowns responsible for. He was responsible for a Liberty single-season record of 34 TDs (20 passing/14 rushing) in 2020 and has 33 TDs (23 passing/10 rushing) so far in 2021.
2: QB Malik Willis needs two passing TDs to join Stephen Calvert as the only Liberty QBs ever to throw for 25 TDs in a single season. Calvert posted a program-record 29 TD passes in 2017 and added 28 more TDs in 2019.
10/13: DL Elijah James is 10 tackles away from joining teammates Javon Scruggs, Ralfs Rusins, and TreShaun Clark as members of the 100-tackle club for their careers. Scruggs needs 13 stops to reach the 200 mark.
CLEAR BAG POLICY
In an effort to enhance fan safety and expedite entrance to Williams Stadium, Liberty University has implemented a security screening process. This includes a clear bag policy that limits the size and type of bag that can be brought into the stadium by fans. The implementation of this measure is intended to enhance public safety while minimizing time spent searching bags at gate security checkpoints, thus easing access into the stadium.
Liberty’s clear bag policy has been in effect since 2016 and will be strictly enforced during the 2021 football season. The policy is consistent with the NFL’s current model. Only clear tote bags that do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12” or one-gallon plastic freezer bags will be allowed in Williams Stadium. In addition, small handheld clutch purses no larger than 4.5” x 6.5” will be permitted. Spectators will also be able to carry other items into the stadium, such as binoculars, cameras, and smartphones.
ACCEPTABLE BAGS
12”
6” 12” 6.5”
4.5”
