Liberty Flames vs Virginia Tech Hokies Match Player Stats On Nov 07, 2020

Alex Barbir kicked a 51-yard field goal with a second remaining to keep No. 25 Liberty unbeaten with a stunning 38-35 victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday afternoon in Blacksburg, Va.

Barbir's successful kick came after a Tech timeout negated his 59-yard attempt that was blocked and returned for a Hokies' touchdown as time ran out. When Liberty lined up again after the timeout, with eight seconds put back on the clock, the Flames instead ran a play on fourth-and-6 rather than attempt another field goal. Quarterback Malik Willis hit CJ Yarbrough for a quick 8-yard gain to set up the 51-yard game winner.

Willis completed 20 of 30 passes for 217 yards in engineering scoring drives covering 75, 80, 95, 6 and 75 yards to put the Flames (7-0) up 35-28 with 1:41 left in the game. He had three touchdowns passing and one rushing.

But Hendon Hooker was 20 of 27 passing for 217 yards for Virginia Tech and answered that score with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Tre Turner to tie the game at 35 with 52 seconds remaining.

Willis then got the Flames into position to try the decisive field goal, gaining 42 yards in nine plays over 51 seconds.

Both quarterbacks had big rushing games.

Willis had 19 carries for 108 yards and a touchdown.

After leading rusher Khalil Herbert injured a hamstring returning a kickoff and was sidelined early in the first quarter, Hooker rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown in the first half on his way to 156 yards on 20 carries for the game.

The Hokies (4-3) went into the halftime break up 20-14 after cashing in on two Liberty turnovers for 10 points in the second quarter. Hooker scored on a 12-yard run up the middle after a fumble recovery gave the Hokies the ball at Liberty's 30-yard line, and he drove his team from his own 9-yard line after another fumble recovery for Brian Johnson's chip shot field goal with a second left in the half.

Willis was 10-of-15 passing for 121 yards and two touchdowns in the first half but also was responsible for both of Liberty's lost fumbles.

--Field Level Media