Liberty bounces back from lone defeat, routs UMass
Willis, Mack propel Flames to their ninth victory of season
LYNCHBURG — Malik Willis passed for three touchdowns in the first half as Liberty blanked winless Massachuetts 45-0 Friday, rebounding from a stinging one-point loss in its previous game.
Liberty (9-1), which outgained the Minutemen 629 yards to 227, scored touchdowns on four straight drives and added a field goal in the waning seconds of the first half to build a 31-0 halftime lead. The Flames added another field goal and two more TDs on five second-half possessions.
Willis was 16-for-24 for 223 yards passing. He connected for TDs with Kevin Shaa, Michael Bolinger and Demario Douglas.
Peytton Pickett and Joshua
Mack each rushed for more than 100 yards — Pickett picked up 125 on 10 carries, including a 16-yard TD. Mack ran for 109 yards on 11 carries, including touchdown bursts of 59 and 54-yards.
Receiver DJ Stubbs caught three passes for 56 yards and surpassed 1,500 career receiving yards.
The Minutemen (0-4) ended a truncated season. The school had originally opted not to play during the coronavirus pandemic but changed course in September, managing to schedule four games. UMass was outscored 161-16.
Liberty will end its regular season at unbeaten No. 16 Coastal Carolina next Saturday. The Flames had been undefeated before falling 15-14 at N.C. State a week ago, when the Wolfpack blocked a late field-goal attempt that would’ve put Liberty ahead.
Attendance was capped at 250, per the recent order from Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam.