The FBS Liberty Flames build a big 35 point third quarter lead on Saturday night, and then held on for a 59-44 non-conference football win over Maine in a game that featured nearly 800 yards of passing and 10 touchdowns between the two starting quarterbacks in front of over 18,000 fans at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Liberty (5-2) out of the Independent League scored early and often marching down the field on the opening drive that covered 80 yards on four plays. Quarterback Stephen Calvert hit Noah Firth for a 14 yard score to make it 7-0. Maine (2-5) came right back as freshman quarterback Joe Fagnano led the Bears down the field and looked as if he had tied the game hitting Earnest Edwards in the right corner of the endzone. However after review the play was overturned and concluded Edwards knee was down out of bounds before the catch. Maine settled for a 23 yard field goal from Kenny Doak to cut it to 7-3. Shedro Louis took the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown for a 14-3 lead. Alex Probert later added a 36 yard field goal late in the first quarter for a 17-3 Flames advantage.
Fagnano fumbled early in the second quarter that was recovered and nearly taken in for a score by Liberty, but the defender was tripped up at the Maine 5 yard line after a 29 yard return. Peytton Pickett scored from one yard out to up the lead to 21. Calvert continued the onslaught hitting Troy Henderson for an 18 yard score just over three minutes later. The Bears got on the board again on a 28 yard Fagnano to Edwards score, and on a 21 yard scamper by Joe Fitzpatrick later in the quarter. Calvert added a five yard score to Frankie Hickson, and former Black Bear Josh Mack scored on a two yard run and the Flames led 45-17 at the break.
Looked as if Liberty had put the game away when DJ Stubbs caught a seven yard score from Calvert with 8:30 left in the third quarter to give the Flames their biggest lead at 52-17. There was no quit in this Black Bears team however as they reeled off the next 20 points. A 29 yard touchdown from Fagnano to Jaquan Blair late in third, and then two early fourth quarter scores on a 43 yard Fagnano to Andre Miller connection, and a seven yarder from Fagnano to Edwards to cut it just a two score game with still 12:53 left at 52-37. A Maine penalty on the kickoff enabled Liberty to start the next drive near midfield at their own 46. It took the Flames six plays covering 54 yards as Calvert found Kevin Shaa for his fifth touchdown pass of the night. The 15 yarder made it a 22 point game again. Fagnano got his fifth passing score of the game as well with less than a minute to play hitting Blair for a seven yard score. The 44 points were the most the Black Bears have ever scored against an FBS opponent. The total offensive yards (572) and points (44) were also the most Liberty has allowed in any game so far this season.
Fagnano finished the night 25-37 passing, with five touchdowns and one interception. He also lost a fumble that led to a Liberty touchdown. Maine rushed for a total of 116 yards led by Emmanuel Reed and Fitzpatrick who had 28 yards each. Edwards had six catches for 127 yards and two touchdowns. It was the sixth time Edwards has gone over 100 yards receiving in a game. He also moved past former teammate Micah Wright for sixth all-time on the receiving yards list at UMaine. Miller had five catches for 108 yards and a score. Devin Young also went over 100 yards with six catches for 106. Blair led the team with the most receptions grabbing eight for 99 yards and two touchdowns. Taji Lowe had 11 tackles and Joshua Huffman made eight to lead the Black Bears defense. For Liberty, Calvert went 23-35 passing for 351 yards, with five touchdowns and no interceptions. Hickson ran nine times for 98 yards and also added a receiving touchdown. Antonio Gandy-Golden led the receiving core with nine catches for 149 yards. Solomon Ajayi had eight tackles and Ceneca Espinoza had seven for the hosts who have now won five games in a row.
Maine will return home next Saturday to host William & Mary at 1 p.m. in CAA play. The Black Bears will still be seeking their first conference win (0-3).
UME (2-5) 3 14 7 20- 44
LIB (5-2) 17 28 7 7- 59
Total yards- Maine 572 Liberty 487
First downs- Maine 29 Liberty 27
Third downs- Maine 7-14 (50%) Liberty 6-11 (54.5%)
Turnovers- Maine 2 Liberty 1
Time of possession- Maine 36:22 Liberty 23:38
