Massachusetts at Liberty

Friday, November 27, 2020

Liberty beat Massachusetts 45–⁠0. It was their third meeting; after it, Liberty led the series 2–⁠1.

AwayMassachusetts0–⁠4 in 2020
0
HomeLiberty10–⁠1 in 2020
45

Final at Williams Stadium (VA), LynchburgTV: ESPN3Attendance 250

At kickoff
63°F, partly cloudy, calmWeather: NOAA NCEI Integrated Surface Database; Lynchburg Rgnl/Preston Glenn Field Airport (KLYH), 5 km from the stadium, six minutes before kickoff

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Massachusetts00000
Liberty141714045

Standouts

  • PassingMalik Willis16 of 24, 223 yards, 3 TDLiberty
  • RushingPeytton Pickett10 carries, 125 yards, 1 TDLiberty
  • ReceivingSamuel Emilus4 catches, 82 yardsMassachusetts
  • DefenseMike Ruane9 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 0.5 for lossMassachusetts

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licenses; credits on each player’s page.

Player stats

Massachusetts

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Garrett Dzuro9/2217201
Evan Deckers0/1000
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Cam Roberson51705
Ellis Merriweather51508
Josiah Johnson71409
Garrett Dzuro81109
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Samuel Emilus482032
Jermaine Johnson Jr.233020
Javon Turner133033
Josiah Johnson117017
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Mike Ruane90.50.50
Cole McCubrey8000
Tanner Davis8200
Noah Boykin5100
Taishan Holmes30.50.50

Liberty

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Malik Willis16/2422330
Chris Ferguson1/72800
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Peytton Pickett10125142
Josh Mack11109159
Troy Henderson1579025
Malik Willis763154
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Demario Douglas468141
D.J. Stubbs356037
Kevin Shaa238131
Noah Frith436013
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Javon Scruggs71.500
Quinton Reese6001
Ralfs Rusins5200
Marcus Haskins5000
Stephens Sings V31.510
Mason Wolk1110

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

MassachusettsLiberty
227Total yards629
172Passing yards251
55Rushing yards378
7.5Yards per pass8.1
1.8Yards per rush8.6
12First downs31
5–⁠13Third downs10–⁠15
0–⁠2Fourth downs1–⁠1
2Turnovers0
6–⁠50Penalties4–⁠45
25:50Possession34:01
1Sacks (by defense)2

Efficiency

MassachusettsLiberty
26%Success rate56%
−0.25EPA per play0.51
1.61Explosiveness1.48
−0.45Rushing EPA0.55
−0.00Passing EPA0.45
26%Passing-down success44%
−0.45First-down EPA0.37
−0.20Second-down EPA0.23
0.48Third-down EPA1.21
15%Havoc by its defense24%

From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.

Before kickoff

Our ratings and the line, going in

Our ratings (scores only)

Liberty 90% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

The line

Liberty −35.5, over/under 57.5.

The last line on file before kickoff: the consensus line when the books publish one, otherwise a single major sportsbook’s.

Before kickoff, the win chances were Liberty 99%, Massachusetts 1%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.

Every drive

Liberty end zoneMassachusetts end zoneQ1 MassachusettsPunt, 3 playsQ1 LibertyPunt, 4 playsQ1 MassachusettsPunt, 6 playsQ1 LibertyTouchdown, 8 playsQ1 MassachusettsFumble, 9 playsQ1 LibertyTouchdown, 2 playsQ1 MassachusettsMissed FG, 7 playsQ2 LibertyTouchdown, 5 playsQ2 MassachusettsPunt, 3 playsQ2 LibertyTouchdown, 7 playsQ2 MassachusettsTurnover on downs, 9 playsQ2 LibertyField goal, 7 playsQ2 MassachusettsResult not recordedQ3 LibertyMissed FG, 11 playsQ3 MassachusettsTurnover on downs, 5 playsQ3 LibertyTouchdown, 5 playsQ3 MassachusettsPunt, 3 playsQ3 LibertyPunt, 6 playsQ3 MassachusettsInterception, 4 playsQ3 LibertyTouchdown, 3 playsQ3 MassachusettsPunt, 6 playsQ4 LibertyResult not recorded, 19 plays
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Liberty drives left to right, Massachusetts right to left.
  1. Q1 MassachusettsPunt, 3 plays, 4 yards
  2. Q1 LibertyPunt, 4 plays, 4 yards
  3. Q1 MassachusettsPunt, 6 plays, 25 yards
  4. Q1 LibertyTouchdown, 8 plays, 80 yards
  5. Q1 MassachusettsFumble, 9 plays, 48 yards
  6. Q1 LibertyTouchdown, 2 plays, 72 yards
  7. Q1 MassachusettsMissed FG, 7 plays, 51 yards
  8. Q2 LibertyTouchdown, 5 plays, 76 yards
  9. Q2 MassachusettsPunt, 3 plays, 7 yards
  10. Q2 LibertyTouchdown, 7 plays, 80 yards
  11. Q2 MassachusettsTurnover on downs, 9 plays, 36 yards
  12. Q2 LibertyField goal, 7 plays, 29 yards
  13. Q2 MassachusettsResult not recorded, 0 yards
  14. Q3 LibertyMissed FG, 11 plays, 48 yards
  15. Q3 MassachusettsTurnover on downs, 5 plays, 38 yards
  16. Q3 LibertyTouchdown, 5 plays, 67 yards
  17. Q3 MassachusettsPunt, 3 plays, −1 yard
  18. Q3 LibertyPunt, 6 plays, 29 yards
  19. Q3 MassachusettsInterception, 4 plays, 21 yards
  20. Q3 LibertyTouchdown, 3 plays, 41 yards
  21. Q3 MassachusettsPunt, 6 plays, −1 yard
  22. Q4 LibertyResult not recorded, 19 plays, 82 yards

Play by play

1st quarter7 drives, then Liberty 14, Massachusetts 0
Massachusetts Punt, 3 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Alex Barbir kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
14:501st & 10 at own 25Cam Roberson run for 4 yds to the UMass 29
14:212nd & 6 at own 29Garrett Dzuro pass incomplete
14:173rd & 6 at own 29Garrett Dzuro pass incomplete
14:044th & 6 at own 29George Georgopoulos punt for 59 yds, downed at the Liber 12
Liberty Punt, 4 plays
13:381st & 10 at own 12Joshua Mack run for 13 yds to the Liber 25 for a 1ST down
13:121st & 10 at own 25Malik Willis run for a loss of 1 yard to the Liber 24 Malik Willis fumbled, forced by Jake Byczko, recovered by Liber
12:492nd & 11 at own 24Malik Willis sacked by Mike Ruane and Taishan Holmes for a loss of 8 yards to the Liber 16
12:143rd & 19 at own 16Malik Willis pass incomplete to Kevin Shaa
12:044th & 19 at own 16Aidan Alves punt for 49 yds, downed at the UMass 35
Massachusetts Punt, 6 plays
11:361st & 10 at own 35Josiah Johnson run for 3 yds to the UMass 38
11:152nd & 7 at own 38MASSACHUSETTS Penalty, Illegal Formation (-5 Yards) to the UMass 33
10:352nd & 12 at own 33Josiah Johnson run for 2 yds to the UMass 35
10:153rd & 10 at own 45Garrett Dzuro pass complete to Samuel Emilus for 10 yds to the Liber 45 for a 1ST down LIBERTY Penalty, Roughing Passer (15 Yards) to the Liber 40 for a 1ST down
10:061st & 10 at opp 40Garrett Dzuro pass incomplete
10:062nd & 10 at opp 40MASSACHUSETTS Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the Liber 45
9:352nd & 15 at opp 45Ellis Merriweather run for 5 yds to the Liber 40
9:203rd & 10 at opp 40Garrett Dzuro pass incomplete
9:064th & 10 at opp 40George Georgopoulos punt for 40 yds for a touchback
Liberty Touchdown, 8 plays
8:541st & 10 at own 20Malik Willis pass complete to Demario Douglas for 8 yds to the Liber 28
8:422nd & 2 at own 28Malik Willis pass incomplete
8:303rd & 2 at own 28Malik Willis pass complete to DJ Stubbs for 9 yds to the Liber 37 for a 1ST down
7:491st & 10 at own 37Peytton Pickett run for 3 yds to the Liber 40
7:312nd & 7 at own 40Malik Willis pass complete to Noah Frith for 13 yds to the UMass 47 for a 1ST down
7:141st & 10 at opp 47Malik Willis pass complete to Kevin Shaa for 7 yds to the UMass 40
6:562nd & 3 at opp 40Malik Willis pass complete to Noah Frith for 9 yds to the UMass 31 for a 1ST down
6:381st & 10 at opp 31Malik Willis pass complete to Kevin Shaa for 31 yds for a TD (Alex Barbir KICK)Liberty 7, Massachusetts 0
Massachusetts Fumble, 9 plays
6:381st & 10 at own 35Alex Barbir kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
6:241st & 10 at own 25Garrett Dzuro pass complete to Jaret Pallotta for 7 yds to the UMass 32
6:022nd & 3 at own 32Josiah Johnson run for 9 yds to the UMass 41 for a 1ST down
5:381st & 10 at own 41Ellis Merriweather run for 1 yd to the UMass 42
4:392nd & 9 at own 42Garrett Dzuro run for 8 yds to the 50 yard line
4:273rd & 1 at the 50Josiah Johnson run for 2 yds to the Liber 48 Josiah Johnson fumbled, forced by Javon Scruggs, recovered by UMass Josiah Johnson for a 1ST down
3:561st & 10 at opp 48Josiah Johnson run for 4 yds to the Liber 44
3:082nd & 6 at opp 44MASSACHUSETTS Penalty, Offensive Holding (-10 Yards) to the UMass 46
2:432nd & 16 at own 46Garrett Dzuro pass complete to Samuel Emilus for 9 yds to the Liber 45
2:253rd & 7 at opp 45LIBERTY Penalty, Face Mask (15 yards) (15 Yards) to the Liber 30 for a 1ST down
2:121st & 10 at opp 30Samuel Emilus run for 3 yds to the Liber 27
1:402nd & 7 at opp 27Josiah Johnson run for a loss of 1 yard to the Liber 28 Josiah Johnson fumbled, forced by Ralfs Rusins, recovered by Liber Aaron Pierre
Liberty Touchdown, 2 plays
1:291st & 10 at own 28Joshua Mack run for 13 yds to the Liber 41 for a 1ST down
1:121st & 10 at own 41Joshua Mack run for 59 yds for a TD (Alex Barbir KICK)Liberty 14, Massachusetts 0
Massachusetts Missed FG, 7 plays
1:121st & 10 at own 35Alex Barbir kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
1:011st & 10 at own 25Cam Roberson run for 3 yds to the UMass 28
0:242nd & 7 at own 28Garrett Dzuro pass complete to Josiah Johnson for 17 yds to the UMass 45 for a 1ST down
Q2 14:541st & 10 at own 45Garrett Dzuro pass complete to Samuel Emilus for 31 yds to the Liber 24 for a 1ST down
Q2 14:111st & 10 at opp 24Cam Roberson run for 1 yd to the Liber 23
Q2 13:382nd & 9 at opp 23Cam Roberson run for 4 yds to the Liber 19
Q2 12:553rd & 5 at opp 19Josiah Johnson run for a loss of 5 yards to the Liber 24
Q2 12:314th & 10 at opp 24Jeremy Martin 41 yd FG MISSED
2nd quarter5 drives, then Liberty 31, Massachusetts 0
Liberty Touchdown, 5 plays
12:231st & 10 at own 24Malik Willis run for a loss of 1 yard to the Liber 23
11:492nd & 11 at own 23Malik Willis pass complete to DJ Stubbs for 10 yds to the Liber 33
11:253rd & 1 at own 33Peytton Pickett run for 42 yds to the UMass 25 for a 1ST down
11:091st & 10 at opp 25Peytton Pickett run for 12 yds to the UMass 13 for a 1ST down
10:391st & 10 at opp 13Malik Willis pass complete to Michael Bollinger for 13 yds for a TD (Alex Barbir KICK)Liberty 21, Massachusetts 0
Massachusetts Punt, 3 plays
10:391st & 10 at own 35Alex Barbir kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
10:311st & 10 at own 25Garrett Dzuro run for 5 yds to the UMass 30
9:452nd & 5 at own 30Jared Cole run for 2 yds to the UMass 32
9:243rd & 3 at own 32Garrett Dzuro pass incomplete
9:114th & 3 at own 32George Georgopoulos punt for 48 yds, downed at the Liber 20
Liberty Touchdown, 7 plays
8:371st & 10 at own 20Troy Henderson run for a loss of 1 yard to the Liber 19
8:112nd & 11 at own 19MASSACHUSETTS Penalty, Defensive Offside (5 Yards) to the Liber 24
7:412nd & 6 at own 24Joshua Mack run for 5 yds to the Liber 29
7:303rd & 1 at own 29Joshua Mack run for 2 yds to the Liber 31 for a 1ST down
6:581st & 10 at own 31Malik Willis run for 9 yds to the Liber 40
6:032nd & 1 at own 40Malik Willis run for no gain to the Liber 40
5:263rd & 1 at own 40Joshua Mack run for 4 yds to the Liber 44 for a 1ST down
4:471st & 10 at own 44MASSACHUSETTS Penalty, Defensive Pass Interference (Te’Rai Powell) to the UMass 41 for a 1ST down
4:411st & 10 at opp 41Malik Willis pass complete to Demario Douglas for 41 yds for a TD (Alex Barbir KICK)Liberty 28, Massachusetts 0
Massachusetts Turnover on downs, 9 plays
4:411st & 10 at own 35Alex Barbir kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
4:291st & 10 at own 25Jared Cole run for a loss of 2 yards to the UMass 23
3:582nd & 12 at own 23Garrett Dzuro pass incomplete to Cam Roberson
3:473rd & 12 at own 23Garrett Dzuro pass complete to Javon Turner for 33 yds to the Liber 44 for a 1ST down
3:071st & 10 at opp 44Garrett Dzuro run for 1 yd to the Liber 43
2:302nd & 9 at opp 43Garrett Dzuro run for 9 yds to the Liber 34 for a 1ST down
1:501st & 10 at opp 34Samuel Emilus run for a loss of 6 yards to the Liber 40
1:172nd & 16 at opp 40Garrett Dzuro run for 1 yd to the Liber 39
0:443rd & 15 at opp 39Garrett Dzuro pass incomplete to Melvin Hill
0:384th & 15 at opp 39Evan Deckers pass incomplete to Noah Boykin
Liberty Field goal, 7 plays
0:331st & 10 at own 39Malik Willis pass incomplete to Chris Barrett
0:252nd & 10 at own 39Malik Willis pass complete to Noah Frith for 8 yds to the Liber 47
0:223rd & 2 at own 47Peytton Pickett run for 13 yds to the UMass 40 for a 1ST down
0:191st & 10 at opp 40Malik Willis pass complete to Chris Barrett for 1 yd to the UMass 39
0:122nd & 9 at opp 39Malik Willis pass complete to DJ Stubbs for 37 yds to the UMass 2 for a 1ST down
0:041st & goal at opp 2Peytton Pickett run for 1 yd to the UMass 1
0:042nd & 0 at opp 1Timeout LIBERTY, clock 00:04
0:032nd & goal at opp 1LIBERTY Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the UMass 6
0:012nd & 14 at own 35Alex Barbir kickoff for 40 yds , Zack Magdis return for 7 yds to the UMass 32
3rd quarter8 drives, then Liberty 45, Massachusetts 0
Liberty Missed FG, 11 plays
14:561st & 10 at own 23Malik Willis pass complete to Demario Douglas for no gain to the Liber 23
14:162nd & 10 at own 23Malik Willis pass incomplete to Demario Douglas
14:093rd & 10 at own 23Malik Willis pass complete to Demario Douglas for 19 yds to the Liber 42 for a 1ST down
13:161st & 10 at own 42Malik Willis run for 10 yds to the UMass 48 for a 1ST down
12:311st & 10 at opp 48Joshua Mack run for 1 yd to the UMass 47
11:452nd & 9 at opp 47Joshua Mack run for 3 yds to the UMass 44
11:063rd & 6 at opp 44Malik Willis pass complete to CJ Daniels for 11 yds to the UMass 33 for a 1ST down
10:361st & 10 at opp 33Malik Willis pass incomplete to CJ Daniels
10:282nd & 10 at opp 33Joshua Mack run for 4 yds to the UMass 29
10:003rd & 6 at opp 29Malik Willis pass incomplete to CJ Daniels
9:554th & 6 at opp 29Alex Barbir 47 yd FG MISSED
Massachusetts Turnover on downs, 5 plays
9:291st & 10 at own 29Garrett Dzuro pass complete to Samuel Emilus for 32 yds to the Liber 39 for a 1ST down
9:151st & 10 at opp 39Ellis Merriweather run for 8 yds to the Liber 31
8:412nd & 2 at opp 31Ellis Merriweather run for no gain to the Liber 31
8:143rd & 2 at opp 31Garrett Dzuro run for a loss of 2 yards to the Liber 33
7:414th & 4 at opp 33Garrett Dzuro pass incomplete to Jermaine Johnson Jr.
Liberty Touchdown, 5 plays
7:101st & 10 at own 33Peytton Pickett run for 7 yds to the Liber 40
7:032nd & 3 at own 40Malik Willis pass incomplete
6:353rd & 3 at own 40Malik Willis pass complete to Noah Frith for 6 yds to the Liber 46 for a 1ST down
6:231st & 10 at own 46Malik Willis pass incomplete to Noah Frith
6:142nd & 10 at own 46Malik Willis run for 54 yds for a TD (Alex Barbir KICK)
Massachusetts Punt, 3 plays
6:142nd & 10 at own 35Alex Barbir kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
5:511st & 10 at own 25Garrett Dzuro sacked by Stephen Sings V for a loss of 6 yards to the UMass 19
5:152nd & 16 at own 19Cam Roberson run for 5 yds to the UMass 24
5:133rd & 11 at own 24Timeout LIBERTY, clock 05:13
5:083rd & 11 at own 24Garrett Dzuro pass incomplete to Jermaine Johnson Jr.
5:004th & 11 at own 24George Georgopoulos punt for 45 yds, punt out-of-bounds at the Liber 31
Liberty Punt, 6 plays
4:571st & 10 at own 31Chris Ferguson pass incomplete
4:502nd & 10 at own 31Chris Ferguson pass incomplete
4:373rd & 10 at own 31Chris Ferguson pass complete to Trevor Hobbs for 28 yds to the UMass 41 for a 1ST down
3:581st & 10 at opp 41Joshua Mack run for 1 yd to the UMass 40
3:252nd & 9 at opp 40Chris Ferguson pass incomplete
3:203rd & 9 at opp 40Chris Ferguson pass incomplete to Joshua Mack
3:154th & 9 at opp 40Aidan Alves punt for 26 yds, fair catch by Samuel Emilus at the UMass 14
Massachusetts Interception, 4 plays
3:051st & 10 at own 14Ellis Merriweather run for 1 yd to the UMass 15
2:402nd & 9 at own 15Garrett Dzuro pass incomplete to Samuel Emilus
2:303rd & 9 at own 15Garrett Dzuro pass complete to Jermaine Johnson Jr. for 20 yds to the UMass 35 for a 1ST down
2:011st & 10 at own 35Garrett Dzuro pass intercepted Quinton Reese return for 4 yds to the UMass 41
Liberty Touchdown, 3 plays
1:501st & 10 at opp 41Peytton Pickett run for 10 yds to the UMass 31 for a 1ST down
1:051st & 10 at opp 31Peytton Pickett run for 15 yds to the UMass 16 for a 1ST down
0:261st & 10 at opp 16Peytton Pickett run for 16 yds for a TD (Alex Barbir KICK)
Massachusetts Punt, 6 plays
0:261st & 10 at own 35Alex Barbir kickoff for 64 yds , Cam Roberson return for 17 yds to the UMass 18
0:121st & 10 at own 18Jared Cole run for no gain to the UMass 18
Q4 14:582nd & 10 at own 18Garrett Dzuro pass incomplete to Jermaine Johnson Jr.
Q4 14:313rd & 10 at own 18Garrett Dzuro pass complete to Jermaine Johnson Jr. for 13 yds to the UMass 31 for a 1ST down
Q4 14:061st & 10 at own 31Jared Cole run for 1 yd to the UMass 32
Q4 13:402nd & 9 at own 32Garrett Dzuro pass incomplete to Jermaine Johnson Jr.
Q4 13:343rd & 9 at own 32MASSACHUSETTS Penalty, Offensive Holding (Brian Abosi) to the UMass 22
Q4 12:573rd & 19 at own 22Garrett Dzuro sacked by Mason Wolk for a loss of 5 yards to the UMass 17
Q4 12:234th & 24 at own 17George Georgopoulos punt for 73 yds, downed at the Liber 10
4th quarter1 drive, then Liberty 45, Massachusetts 0
Liberty Result not recorded, 19 plays
11:541st & 10 at own 10Joshua Mack run for 4 yds to the Liber 14
11:282nd & 6 at own 14Troy Henderson run for 11 yds to the Liber 25 for a 1ST down
10:411st & 10 at own 25Troy Henderson run for 6 yds to the Liber 31
10:032nd & 4 at own 31Troy Henderson run for 10 yds to the Liber 41 for a 1ST down
9:021st & 10 at own 41Troy Henderson run for 7 yds to the Liber 48
8:332nd & 3 at own 48Chris Ferguson pass incomplete to Brody Brumm
7:553rd & 3 at own 48Troy Henderson run for 3 yds to the UMass 49 for a 1ST down
7:231st & 10 at opp 49Troy Henderson run for 9 yds to the UMass 40
6:472nd & 1 at opp 34Peytton Pickett run for 6 yds to the UMass 34 LIBERTY Penalty, Offensive Holding (-10 Yards) to the UMass 44
6:002nd & 5 at opp 44Troy Henderson run for 6 yds to the UMass 38 for a 1ST down
5:421st & 10 at opp 38Chris Ferguson pass incomplete to Jaivian Lofton
5:352nd & 10 at opp 38Troy Henderson run for 25 yds to the UMass 13 for a 1ST down
4:451st & 10 at opp 13Troy Henderson run for 3 yds to the UMass 10
4:002nd & 7 at opp 10Troy Henderson run for 6 yds to the UMass 4
3:143rd & 1 at opp 4Troy Henderson run for no gain to the UMass 4
2:264th & 1 at opp 4Troy Henderson run for 2 yds to the UMass 2 for a 1ST down
1:471st & goal at opp 2Troy Henderson run for a loss of 3 yards to the UMass 5
1:002nd & goal at opp 5Troy Henderson run for a loss of 5 yards to the UMass 10
0:093rd & goal at opp 10Johnathan Bennett run for 2 yds to the UMass 8

Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.

Liberty leads 6–⁠1 in seven meetings, counting the four since this game.

Recent meetings
2024Liberty 35, Massachusetts 34
2023Liberty 49, Massachusetts 25
2022Liberty 42, Massachusetts 24
2021Liberty 62, Massachusetts 17
2020Liberty 45, Massachusetts 0
2019Liberty 63, Massachusetts 21

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