BYU football took on the Liberty Flames at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Nov. 9 in the teams’ inaugural meeting. The Cougars defeated the Flames 31-24 in a back-and-forth scoring rally.
FIRST HALF
The game kicked off with scoring on the first possession as Liberty’s Zac Foutz caught a 19-yard touchdown pass from Stephen Calvert. BYU answered, ending its opening drive with a short touchdown pass from Baylor Romney to Micah Simon to tie up the game. Liberty’s Alex Probert attempted a 42-yard field goal on the Flames’ next possession but missed, keeping the game tied. The Cougars also attempted a field goal on their ensuing possession, and Jake Oldroyd’s 24-yard field flew true to give BYU the lead. BYU went on to score one more time with a 44-yard touchdown pass from Micah Simon to Matt Bushman, bringing the score to 17-7 for the Cougars at the half.
SECOND HALF
The second half would see the two teams alternate scoring. Liberty’s Probert kicked a 24-yard field goal in the third quarter, bringing the score to 17-10. On the next drive, BYU’s Aleva Hifo hauled in a 41-yard pass to give the Cougars another touchdown. Liberty answered in similar style as Antonio Gandy-Golden caught at 41-yard pass, bringing the score to 24-17 at the end of the third quarter.
BYU scored again early in the fourth quarter with a 17-yard pass to Moroni Laulu-Pututau. Foutz earned another touchdown for the Flames from a 13-yard pass, bringing the game to a touchdown’s difference with 6:35 remaining. The Cougars held the Flames from scoring again, and the final score held at 31-24. Following the game, the two teams, both sponsored by religious universities, joined together in prayer on the field.
