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MATCHUP NOTESFBS INDEPENDENTSWNotre Dame11BYU10Army8Liberty7New Mexico State 3.083Saturday, Oct. 30Liberty 62, UMass 17Notre Dame 44, North Carolina 34BYU 66, Virginia 49Saturday, Nov. 6Army 21, Air Force 14 (OT)Ole Miss 27, Liberty 14BYU 59, Idaho State 14Notre Dame 34, Navy 6Rhode Island 35, UMass 22Utah St. 35, New Mexico St. 13Saturday, Nov. 13Maine 35, UMass 10Army 63, Bucknell 10Alabama 59, New Mexico St. 3Notre Dame 28, Virginia 3Clemson 44, UConn 7Saturday, Nov. 20Army 33, UMass 17Kentucky 56, New Mexico St. 16Notre Dame 55, Georgia Tech 0BYU 34, Georgia Southern 17Louisiana 42, Liberty 14UCF 49, UConn 17“4 DOWNS” WITH THE EAGLESA Liberty Win Would .Hugh Freeze's first win at Liberty was a 35-17victory over MAC opponent Buffalo on Sept. 14,2019. This marks the Flames' first MAC matchup since that day. Each of Liberty's first twowins over FBS opponents came against MACfoes (Eastern Michigan in 1989 and Ball State in2010). Prior to Saturday, Liberty has only appeared on ESPNonce (2020 Cure Bowl vs. Coastal Carolina). Mark the Flames' third bowl victory in their third year offull FBS bowl eligibility. They would join Appalachian State(2015-20) as the only teams to win bowl games in each oftheir first three years after transitioning from FCS to FBS.1The first meeting between Liberty and Eastern Michigan was two years after EMU's firstbowl victory (1987 California Bowl vs. San JoseState). The second meeting between the twoteams comes two years after Liberty's firstbowl win (2019 Cure Bowl vs. Georgia Southern). Only twice has Liberty gone longer between matchupsagainst an opponent (Middle Tennessee - 39 years [19822021] and Jacksonville State - 34 years [1982-2016]).2Liberty has played three games against teamsfrom Michigan in program history. In additionto their 1989 win over Eastern Michigan, theFlames went 1-1 against Saginaw Valley State in1982 and 1983. The Flames have closed out eachof the last three seasons (2018, 2019 and 2020)with victories and are one of nine FBS teams to do so.3Liberty posted a program-record four winsover bowl teams this season (Middle Tennessee, North Texas, Old Dominion and UAB). TheFlames are looking to avoid their first fourgame losing streak in four years. Liberty's mostrecent four-game losing streak spanned Sept.23-Oct. 21, 2017.OCT. 14, 1989LIBERTY 25, EASTERN MICHIGAN 24YPSILANTI, MICH. (RYNEARSON STADIUM)Saturday, Dec. 11Army vs. Navy3:00 pmSaturday, Dec. 18Independence BowlBYU vs. UAB Liberty's first-ever win over an FBS (then 1-A) opponentcame in dramatic fashion. Robbie Justino found Eric Greenfor the game-winning 12-yard TD pass with just 11 secondsleft, capping off a 10-play, 66-yard drive which took 4:50.3:30 pm The lead changed hands six times, and neither team led bymore than six points the whole night.LendingTree BowlLiberty vs. Eastern Mich.5:45 pm Green caught 10 passes for 123 yards and a TD, with threecatches coming on the game-winning drive.Wednesday, Dec. 22Armed Forces BowlArmy vs. Missouri8:00 pmSaturday, Jan. 1Fiesta BowlNotre Dame vs. Okla. State 1:00 pm Make the Flames the first FBS independent team to win abowl game in three straight seasons since Army (2016-18). Boost Hugh Freeze's official record coaching in bowlgames to 5-1, including 3-0 at Liberty. (Ole Miss's victory inthe 2013 BBVA Compass Bowl was vacated.) Mark the Flames' third win in Alabama this season, makingLiberty the first FBS team in 2021 to win three games in asingle state outside of its home state.4LAST MEETING WITH EASTERN MICHIGANSaturday, Nov. 27Army 31, Liberty 16Houston 45, UConn 17New Mexico St. 44, UMass 27Notre Dame 45, Stanford 14BYU 35, USC 31 Give the Flames their 13th season in program history witheight or more wins, including their third in a row. Theywould join Appalachian State (2015-present) and Marshall(1997-2003) as the only FBS programs to win eight or moregames in each of their first three seasons as fully bowl eligible FBS members after transitioning from FCS.2021 UNIFORM TRACKERThe Liberty football program is outfitted by Nike and has 27different helmet/jersey/pants combinations to choose fromduring the 2021 royRedWhiteWhiteOld RedMiddle TennesseeBlueRedBlueULMWhiteWhiteWhiteNorth TexasWhiteWhiteRedUMassBlueBlueBlueOle dWhite Liberty improved to 5-0 on its way to a 7-3 season. The Eagles, who fell to 5-1-1, ended up at 7-3-1 and 6-2 in the MAC.ON THIS DATE:DEC.18#RiseWithUSLiberty has never played a game on Dec. 18.The Flames have only played four previous contests during the month of December, including oneregular-season game, one FCS playoff game and two bowl games. The Flames are 3-1 in December contestsall-time.‹3›#TOUGHERTOGETHER

TODAY'S GAME AT A GLANCEMILESTONE WATCHBOWL-HEAVY SCHEDULEBOWL BLITZ1: QB Malik Willis needs one passing TD to join Ste-Seven of Liberty's opponents this season have qualified for bowl games, more bowl-eligible opponents forLiberty than in their first two FBS seasons combined.Liberty has not trailed at any point during its twobowl games. The Flames jumped to a 7-0 lead againstGeorgia Southern in the 2019 Cure Bowl and then ledfrom 13-7 on the way to a 23-16 win. In last year’s CureBowl, Liberty built a 14-0 lead, and Coastal Carolinatied the Flames 34-34 late in the fourth quarter beforeLiberty won 37-34 in overtime.phen Calvert as the only Liberty QBs ever to throwfor 25 TDs in a single season. Calvert posted a program-record 29 TD passes in 2017 and added 28 moreTDs in 2019. As a team, Liberty needs one passing TDto break the program single-season record set in1990 and 2019.7: First-year LB Storey Jackson needs seven tacklesto become Liberty's first player with a 100-tackleseason since 2014 (Jacob Hagen had 108 tackles in 14games).365: QB Malik Willis needs 365 yards of total offenseto break the Liberty single-season record of 3,810yards set by Mike Brown in 2010. Willis has recorded365 or more yards in a game four times in his career,including once this year (at UAB).LIBERTY FOOTBALL BY THE NUMBERS2: Liberty and Appalachian State are the only twoteams to win bowl games during each of their firsttwo seasons of bowl eligiblity following a transitionfrom the FCS to the FBS. Liberty was the championof the 2019 and 2020 Cure Bowls.4:The 2021 season is Liberty's fourth as an FBSmember, following 30 seasons of competition atthe FCS (1-AA) level.6: The 2018 Flames went 6-6, becoming the ninthteam in NCAA history to win six or more gamesduring its first season of FBS competition.Liberty’s regular-season opponents who competed inbowl games2019: (Liberty went 1-3 against these teams) Louisiana (won LendingTree Bowl over Miami (OH)) Buffalo (won Bahamas Bowl over Charlotte) BYU (lost to Hawai'i in SoFi Hawai'i Bowl) Virginia (lost to Florida in Capital One Orange Bowl)2020: (Liberty went 0-1 against NC State) NC State (lost to Kentucky in TaxSlayer Gator Bowl)2021: (Liberty went 4-3 against these teams) Middle Tennessee (Bahamas Bowl vs. Toledo) UAB (Independence Bowl vs. BYU) Louisiana (New Orleans Bowl vs. Marshall) Old Dominion (Myrtle Beach Bowl vs. Tulsa) Army (Armed Forces Bowl vs. Missouri) North Texas (Frisco Football Classic vs. Miami (OH)) Ole Miss (Sugar Bowl vs. Baylor)8:Liberty won eight Big South Conference titles(2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016).9: Hugh Freeze is Liberty's ninth head coach in program history.10: Liberty has won a program-record 10 gamestwice, going 10-2 in 2008 and 10-1 in 2020.10: Ten Flames have been named CoSIDA AcademicAll-Americans.16: The Flames have clinched a .500 or better record for the 16th consecutive year, going 119-66since the start of the 2006 season.22: 22 members of this year's team have completedbachelor's degrees and are currently working toward master's degrees.49:The 2021 campaign is Liberty’s 49th footballseason.25,000: The seating capacity of Williams Stadiumwas expanded to 25,000 for the 2018 season.#RiseWithUSSIMILAR SHOWDOWNIn Liberty's last meeting with Eastern Michigan, EricGreen caught 10 passes for 123 yards, including thegame-winning touchdown with 11 seconds left. Greenwas drafted 21st overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers inthe 1990 NFL Draft.Most draft projections have current Liberty quarterback Malik Willis projected as a first-rounder. Hecould become Liberty's second first-round NFL Draftpick and first since Green.DECEMBER TO REMEMBERCOACH CONNECTIONSPrior to joining the FBS in 2018, Liberty had onlyplayed one game in December in program history, a29-22 loss at Villanova in the second round of the 2014NCAA FCS Playoffs.Current Eastern Michigan wide receivers coach RJFleming spent the last two seasons (2019-20) as anoffensive quality control coach on Coach Freeze’s staffat Liberty. Fleming played for Coach Freeze in 2010 and2011 at Arkansas State, and current Liberty assistantsMaurice Harris and Scott Symons were on staff at Arkansas State during Fleming’s time at Arkansas State(2010-13) as well.Since then, Liberty is 3-0 in December games, defeating Norfolk State 52-17 on Dec. 1, 2018 before winningthe 2019 FBC Mortgage Cure Bowl over GeorgiaSouthern on Dec. 21 and downing Coastal Carolina inthe 2020 FBC Mortgage Cure Bowl on Dec. 26.8: Eight Flames have been selected in the NFL Draft. MAC-TIONMost recently, Antonio Gandy-Golden was taken byWashington in the fourth round of the 2020 Draft.In bowl games, Liberty has led 95:58, been tied for24:02 and hasn’t trailed.Liberty is 3-9 all-time against MAC opponents. Liberty’s first two wins over FBS programs were againstMAC schools (Oct. 14, 1989 – W, 25-24 at Eastern Michigan; Sept. 11, 2010 – W, 27-23 at Ball State).Head Coach Hugh Freeze picked up his first win as Liberty’s head coach against MAC program Buffalo, 35-17on Sept. 14, 2019 at Williams Stadium. That was Liberty’s most recent MAC opponent to date.GET COMFORTABLELiberty quarterback Malik Willis will get a sneak peekat the venue for the 2022 Reese's Senior Bowl, whichwill also take place at the Hancock Whitney Stadium.Willis is the sixth player in Liberty history to receivean invitation to the Senior Bowl, joining Wayne Haddix(1987), Eric Green (1990), Rashad Jennings (2009),Walt Aikens (2014) and Antonio Gandy-Golden (2019).Coach Freeze led his Arkansas State team to a 10-2record in 2011 and a berth in the GoDaddy.com Bowl,which is now the LendingTree Bowl. He did not coachin the bowl game after taking the Ole Miss head coachjob, but will coach in this year's LendingTree Bowl.PLAYER CONNECTIONSLiberty junior safety Juawan Treadwell, Eastern Michigan senior DL Woo Scott, Sr., senior TE Bryson Cannonand junior OL Richard Bates, Jr. all went to Independence Community College.Liberty redshirt junior punter Aidan Alves and EasternMichigan freshman linebacker Zach Mowchan bothwent to Northern York High School.Liberty senior defensive tackle Elijah James and Eastern Michigan junior defensive back Korey Hernandezboth played at Iowa Western Community College.Eastern Michigan junior defensive back Jarrett Paulmade three tackles against Liberty for Rutgers on Oct.26, 2019.IN COMMONTHIRD IN STATELiberty and Eastern Michigan have one common opponent this season, as EMU won 42-28 at UMass on Sept.18 and Liberty earned a 62-17 home win over UMass onOct. 30.Liberty entered the season with a 0-6 record all-timein the state of Alabama, but are 2-0 in Alabama thisseason. The Flames posted a 21-13 win at Troy on Sept.11 and won 36-12 at UAB on Oct. 2.Liberty and Eastern Michigan are both 4-2 at home and3-3 on the road this season.The Flames can become the first team this season towin three games in a state outside of its home state.‹4›#TOUGHERTOGETHER

TEAM NOTESTrends/StreaksLIBERTY'S RECORD WHEN mberAfternoonNightFreezeat -03-14-10-30-03-34-2VERSUS FBS TOP 25Home0-1Road/Neutral0-10-21-1RECORD WHEN SCORING 20 points0-320-29 points1-230-39 points2-040 points4-01-64-48-112-0RECORD WHEN ALLOWING 20 points6-020-29 points1-230-39 points0-240 points0-114-16-34-41-3RECORD WHEN Margin 1-3 pts.Margin 4-7 pts.Scoring 1stOpp. scores 1stLeading after 1QTrailing after 1QLeading at halfTrailing at halfLeading after 3QTrailing after 3QPlaying OTOutrushing opp.Being outrushedOutpassing opp.Being outpassedScoring D/ST TD TO margin- TO marginWinning TOPLosing TOPWhite helmetsBlue helmetsRed helmetsWhite uni. topsBlue uni. topsRed uni. topsWhite pantsBlue pantsRed -03-01-55-32-21-33-13-13-31-13-11-32-24-0 LU had its program-record 15-game home win streaksnapped on Nov. 20 with a 42-14 loss to No. 21/22 Louisiana. During the Flames’ 15-game home winning streak, Libertyoutscored opponents by an average of 27.0 points per game(Liberty 45.4 ppg; Opponent 18.4 ppg). Following a 31-16 loss to Army on Nov. 27, Liberty has lostback-to-back home games for the first time since 2017. LU has gone 19-6 in its last 25 games, a stretch that beganwith a 49-28 win over New Mexico State on Nov. 20, 2019. Liberty’s win over UMass on Oct. 30 gave the program sevenor more wins for the 19th time in program history and for thethird season in a row. With its win over North Texas on Oct. 23, Liberty picked upits sixth win to secure the program’s 16th consecutive seasonwith a .500 or better overall record (started in 2006). LU is currently in the middle of a three-game losing streak,its first-ever three-game skid under third-year head coachHugh Freeze (last three-game losing streak was in 2018).Offense After scoring a season-high 62 points against UMass on Oct.30, the Flames have been held below 20 points each of theirlast three games – all losses (L/ 14-27 at Ole Miss; L/ 14-42 vs.Louisiana; L/ 16-31 vs. Army). After spending most of the season ranked inside the top25 in the country in scoring, Liberty enters the bowl gameranked No. 42 in scoring offense (31.8 points per game). The Flames outgained Army in their last game, 384 total offensive yards to 322, and have finished with 300 or more totaloffensive yards in 11-of-12 games in 2021. Liberty enters the bowl game ranked No. 46 in the country intotal offense (428.5 yards per game). LU’s offense has shown versatility during first two years under head coach Hugh Freeze. LU set a school record for passing yards in 2019 (3,756) and rushing yards in 2020 (2,776). The Flames have passed for 3,000 yards (3,020) and rushedfor 2,000 yards (2,123) this season. This is the first time since2014 that Liberty passed for over 3,000 yards and rushed forover 2,000 yards in the same season. Liberty finished the Army game with 305 passing yards,marking the fifth time in 2021 the Flames have thrown for 300or more yards in a game. Liberty is currently averaging 252.1 passing yards per game,which ranks No. 48 in the country. The Flames finished the Army game averaging 12.7 yardsper completion (305 passing yards on 24 receptions). Liberty currently ranks No. 11 in the country in passing yards percompletion (14.27). Army intercepted a pair of Liberty passing attempts on Nov.27, marking the third game in a row and the fifth time this season the Flames have thrown multiple interceptions in a game. Liberty currently ranks No. 114 (out of 130 teams) in thecountry in passes had intercepted (14 in 12 games). LU finished the Army game with 118 rushing yards, itsthird-lowest rushing total of 2021. Liberty is averaging 176.4rushing yards per game this season (ranked No. 53). LU currently rank No. 37 in the country in third-down conversion percentage (66-of-151/44.5 percent) despite finishing the Army game converting on 5-of-14 third-down plays.#RiseWithUS‹5› Liberty finished the Army game 2-of-7 on fourth-downconversion attempts. The Flames have gone for its on fourthdown three or more times in five of their last six games and28 times total in 2021 (12-of-28/42.9 percent). Liberty continues to struggle protecting its quarterbacks,allowing five sacks against Army and 21 sacks in its last threegames (9 vs. Ole Miss; 7 vs. Louisiana; 5 vs. Army. Entering thebowl game, the Flames rank No. 129 in the country out of 130teams in team sacks allowed (4.17 per game). QB Malik Wills continues to be Liberty’s top offensive threat,accounting for 67.0 percent of the Flames’ total offensiveyards in 2021 (Team Yards: 5,143/Willis: 3,446 – Rush 820,Pass 2,626).Defense LU has allowed its last two opponents to score a combined73 points (42 vs. Louisiana and 31 vs. Army). Enter entered theLouisiana game allowed just 18.7 points per game in 2021. The Flames currently rank No. 30 in the country in scoringdefense (21.7 points allowed per game). Despite allowing 73 points in its last two games, the Flameshave only surrendered 618 total offensive yards in its last twogames (296 to Louisiana; 322 to Army). The Flames currently rank No. 11 in the country in total defense (315.3 yards allowed per game). Liberty limited Army No. 2 ranked rushing offense to 220yards on Nov. 27 (Army came into the game averaging 309.3rushing yards per game). The Flames have allowed three of their last five opponentsto rush for 200 or more yards (242 vs. North Texas; 210 vs.UMass; 220 vs. Army). Liberty has allowed a combined 944 rushing yards the lastfour games (North Texas 242 yards; UMass 210 yards; OleMiss 142; Louisiana 130; Army 220) after allowing an averageof 107.1 rushing yards during the first seven games of 2021. LU has recorded 31 tackles for a loss in its last four games(13 vs. UMass; 7 vs. Ole Miss; 7 vs. Louisiana; 4 vs. Army) andranks No. 15 in the country in tackles for a loss (7.2 per game). Liberty enters the bowl game ranked No. 5 in the country infewest passing yards allowed per game (174.2). Liberty is one of the top teams in the country in the red zone,ranking No. 20 in red zone defense (75.0 percent/27-of-36; 13rushing TDs, 8 passing TDs and 6 FGs). The Flames continue to be tough on third-down plays, ranking No. 23 in the country in third-down conversion defense(56-for-167/33.5 percent). Last year, Liberty ranked No. 14 inthe country in the same category (31.9 percent).Special Teams Demario Douglas, a 2021 FWAA Freshman All-American, returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown against North Texas,his second career punt return for a score. The Flames capped their magical run in 2020 when ElijahJames blocked a potential 42-yard game-tying field goal inovertime against No. 9 Coastal Carolina in the FBC MortgageCure Bowl, giving Liberty its 10th win in 2020 and its secondCure Bowl victory in a row. Liberty blocked its second kick off the year against ULM andnearly returned the blocked field goal for a touchdown (73yard return by Skyler Thomas to the 2-yard line). Liberty currently ranks No. 29 in the country in blocked kicks.#TOUGHERTOGETHER

2021 SEASON STORYLINESWATCH LISTS#7 QB Malik Willis2021 CFPA National Performer of theYear Award2021 Davey O’Brien NationalQuarterback Award - Semifinalist2021 Johnny Unitas Golden ArmAward - Top 10 Candidate2021 Manning Award2021 Maxwell Award - Semifinalist2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl2021 Walter Camp Player of the YearAwardNFLPA Collegiate Bowl 2021-22Preseason Big Board#11 DE Durrell Johnson2021 Bronko Nagurski Trophy2021 Chuck Bednarik Award2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl#3 WR Demario Douglas2021 Paul Hornung Award#5 WR DJ StubbsNFLPA Collegiate Bowl 2021-22Preseason Big BoardACTIVE LEADERSSECOND-YEAR SUCCESSSenior RB Joshua Mack ranks second among active FBSrunning backs with 4,090 career rushing yards. He rushedfor 2,047 yards with Maine from 2016 through 2017.Liberty Head Coach Hugh Freeze has led the Flames to bowlberths in each of his first three seasons at the helm. Freezewas one of five second-year FBS head coaches to lead histeam to a bowl game in both 2019 and 2020, joining Miami'sManny Diaz, North Carolin

program's only NFL irst-round draft pick, caught the winning TD pass with 11 seconds remaining to give the Flames their irst-ever win over an FBS opponent, 25-24.