Liberty Flames Beat Undefeated Coastal Carolina 37-34 in Dramatic Fashion at Cure Bowl in Orlando

By  //  December 27, 2020

Flames defeat Chanticleers 37-34 in OT

ABOVE VIDEO: Liberty Flames pulled off a dramatic 37-34 overtime win over the undefeated Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at the Cure Bowl in Orlando Saturday night.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA – Liberty Flames pulled off a dramatic 37-34 overtime win over the undefeated Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at the Cure Bowl in Orlando Saturday night.

Liberty’s Elijah James blocked a game-ending field goal attempt in overtime, securing No. 23/23 Liberty’s 37-34 win over No. 9/11 Coastal Carolina in the 2020 FBC Mortgage Cure Bowl, Saturday at Camping World Stadium.

The Flames finished their second season of full FBS bowl eligibility with a 10-1 record, winning the FBC Mortgage Cure Bowl for the second year in a row. Liberty is just the second team (also Appalachian State) to win bowl games in each of its first two seasons of bowl eligibility following a transition from the FCS. Liberty snapped Coastal Carolina’s (11-1) 12-game winning streak, which was tied for the longest FBS winning streak in the nation.

Liberty quarterback Malik Willis was named Cure Bowl MVP after totaling 357 yards of offense and rushing for a Cure Bowl-record four touchdowns.

Liberty earned its first-ever win over an FBS Top 25 program and knocked Coastal Carolina from the ranks of the unbeaten for the second time ever. The Flames defeated then 11-0 CCU by a 15-14 score on a last-second blocked field goal on Nov. 22, 2014.

Liberty is now 8-7 all-time against Coastal Carolina, with four out of the last five meetings being decided by three points or fewer. The Flames are 7-9 in overtime games in program history and 1-2 in overtime versus the Chanticleers.

Coastal Carolina held a slight 483-475 advantage in total yards, outgaining the Flames 318-220 through the air. However, Liberty led 255-165 in rushing yards. The Chanticleers scored six points off of three Liberty turnovers, while the Flames turned their one takeaway into seven points.

For the fourth time this season, Liberty had two 100-yard rushers. Willis rushed for 137 yards on 21 carries, with a Liberty quarterback record four TDs. Willis also went 19-for-29 passing with 220 yards and two interceptions. Joshua Mack ran the ball 14 times for 105 yards. Alex Barbir went 3-for-3 on field goals and 4-for-4 on PATs. Javon Scruggs totaled eight tackles, an interception and a forced fumble.

Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall threw for 318 yards on 21-of-32 passing, with three touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed 15 times for 96 yards and a score. Jaivon Heiligh caught 13 passes for 178 yards, while Isaiah Likely caught a touchdown and Greg Latushko finished with two touchdown receptions.

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