Flames Burn Cougars With 38 Unanswered Points, BYU Falls On Road

SALT LAKE CITY – The Liberty Flames torched the visiting BYU Cougars with 38 unanswered points and sent the team from Provo back to Utah with its third consecutive loss.

Liberty blows out BYU

The Flames hosted the Cougars at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia on Saturday, October 22.

BYU suffered a 41-14 loss to Liberty.

Final: Liberty 41, BYU 14#BYU falls to 4-4 overall on the season.

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 22, 2022

Pregame Notes

• Third time in BYU football history that the Cougars are playing a game in Virginia (2000 & 2013 at Virginia).
• BYU leads the all-time series against Liberty, 1-0. The previous meeting was in 2019 in Provo (BYU 31, Liberty 24)
• ESPN’s Rece Davis picked Liberty as his “Superdog” pick against BYU.
• Beautiful weather conditions are expected at Williams Stadium. The forecast calls for a high of 71 degrees and sunny.
• Today is Liberty’s first-ever sold-out home football game.
• Both teams are playing out their final seasons as FBS Independents. For BYU, the Cougars are moving on to the Big 12 Conference. While Liberty will begin play in Conference USA next season.

First Quarter

#BYU DC Ilaisa Tuiaki is on the field today against Liberty. Typically in the press box. #BYUvsLIB #BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

The former @Utah_Football starter saw his first action since suffering a broken hand in @LibertyFootball's season opener. 🔵 🔴 🏈#BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL #BYUvsLIB https://t.co/14Ai642dpQ

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 22, 2022

1️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ pic.twitter.com/dMuZ5iBsZ6

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) October 22, 2022

Puka Nacua went over 1,000 career receiving yards with his first catch of 8 yards. Now at 1,002 #BYUFootball

— BYU Game Notes (@BYUGameNotes) October 22, 2022

#BYU must establish the run.

There’s no excuse. Their offensive line is much bigger than the defensive line of Liberty. #BYUvsLib #BYUFootball

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) October 22, 2022

#BYU defense is fortunate that Liberty was called for an ineligible receiver down field. Negates a 48-yard reception on Liberty's opening offensive series.#BYUvsLIB #BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

Liberty settles for a field goal. Credit #BYU's defense for not breaking. Questionable play call by Liberty going with a Brewer RPO on 3rd & Goal, but BYU holds.#BYUvsLIB #BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

What's concerning is that backup Liberty QB Jonathan Bennett is already off to a hot start through the air.

4-of-4, 67 yards on drive number one.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

+3 ‼️ pic.twitter.com/6eRlLHVqiM

— Liberty Football (@LibertyFootball) October 22, 2022

Anytime Puka Nacua touches the ball, he has the ability to take it to the house. Incredible player.

Nacua takes a 3rd & 11 quick pass 46 yards for a touchdown.#BYUvsLIB #BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

Puka Nacua best ever at BYU. Don’t @

— Patrick Kinahan (@PKKinahan) October 22, 2022

Jaren Hall has thrown at least one touchdown pass every game this season, in 12 consecutive starts and 17 of his last 18. #BYUFootball

— BYU Game Notes (@BYUGameNotes) October 22, 2022

Puka Nacua always finds the endzone. 🏈🤙#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/hebCxOFBKn

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 22, 2022

Puka Nacua is something else. What a weapon!

He is exception after the catch!#BYUFootball #BYU

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) October 22, 2022

.@AsapPuka hauls in his ✌️ touchdown catch this season. 🤙 #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL #BYUvsLIB https://t.co/2zrrqVqOTZ

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 22, 2022

Talan Alfrey with his first career interception (returned 21 yards) #BYUFootball

— BYU Game Notes (@BYUGameNotes) October 22, 2022

INTERCEPTION!!!!!!

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) October 22, 2022

Quick pick for @talfrey21 😎 pic.twitter.com/l58KhWCBMA

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) October 22, 2022

#BYU DB Talan Alfrey pulls in his first career interception.

BYU offense is in business to take all of the momentum in this game.#BYUvsLIB #BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

just getting started 😤 @talfrey21 pic.twitter.com/W2MqheUC24

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) October 22, 2022

#BYU rolling after an Isaac Rex TD grab.

Cougs lead 14-3.#BYUvsLIB #BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/9hCht8Du3G

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 22, 2022

Isaac Rex with his third TD of the year, 18th of his career. Ties John VandDerWouden for No. 11 in career receiving TDs at BYU. #BYUFootball

— BYU Game Notes (@BYUGameNotes) October 22, 2022

Jaren Hall has gone over 5,000 career passing yards (5,013). He is the 15th Cougar to throw for 5,000 yards. #BYUFootball

— BYU Game Notes (@BYUGameNotes) October 22, 2022

Hall has multiple touchdown passes for the 7th time in 8 starts this year. He has had at least two TD passes in 6 consecutive games and 11 of his last 12 starts #BYUFootball

— BYU Game Notes (@BYUGameNotes) October 22, 2022

Strolling on in😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/w6oRyoaSeZ

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) October 22, 2022

FIVE THOUSAND YARDS + 40 TDS😤 pic.twitter.com/8XTxOxBzbp

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) October 22, 2022

INT ➡️ TD Drive 💪#BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL #BYUvsLIB https://t.co/Rhm17awttj

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 22, 2022

#BYU's defense will open the second quarter with a 3rd & 7. Can they get the stop?

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

Driving up the field to end the first ➡️ pic.twitter.com/bwQ0I6k9kb

— Liberty Football (@LibertyFootball) October 22, 2022

Second Quarter

Micah Harper is quickly becoming one of the top players in the #BYU football program.

He has been great this season.#LIBvsBYU #BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

They did not.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

.@goldenchief5 gets through the gap. 💨
🔥 TOUCHDOWN FLAMES 🔥 pic.twitter.com/e5vwVYiYNQ

— Liberty Football (@LibertyFootball) October 22, 2022

.@TheDaeDae0 won't go down! +16 yard gain. First down. pic.twitter.com/Kn59HTcupU

— Liberty Football (@LibertyFootball) October 22, 2022

Liberty now has 13 first down conversions against #BYU's defense with seven minutes remaining in the second quarter.

Last week against FCS Gardner-Webb, the Flames had 13 first downs the entire game.#BYUvsLIB #BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

3rd & Goal: Touchdown Liberty.

Just like that, #BYU's 11-point lead is wiped out.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

You want another TD? We got another TD.
Back of the endzone – TOUCHDOWN – @AustinTE8 ‼️ pic.twitter.com/13qi2erJXV

— Liberty Football (@LibertyFootball) October 22, 2022

Puka Nacua seems to be walking gingerly around the sideline.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

Another head scratching 3rd down offensive play call for #BYU. Moments after Nacua was walking around gingerly on the sideline, they dial up a jet sweep for him. Results in a loss of six yards.#BYUvsLIB #BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

#BYU went for it on 4th down, which was the right move. Chase Roberts was wide open, the pass was just a little high for him. #BYUvsLIB #BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

HALFTIME from Lynchburg, Va.@LibertyFootball – 20@BYUfootball – 14#BYU #GoCougs #BYUvsLIB pic.twitter.com/ktFOXtDFD0

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 22, 2022

Liberty didn’t have a scoring drive that took double digit plays all season.

They had 3 of them in the first half. #BYU defense continues to struggle getting off the field. #BYUvsLiberty #BYUFootball

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) October 22, 2022

Puka Nacua appreciation post.#BYU #GoCougs #BYUFootball
pic.twitter.com/DJIK4bsJVX

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 22, 2022

Byu need to just throw jump balls to @AsapPuka dude is a freak

— Simi Fehoko (@Simi_Fehoko) October 22, 2022

Third Quarter

Liberty didn't hesitate at all, they knew they were going for it on 4th & 1 in the red zone. No fear against #BYU's defense. Rightfully so.

Touchdown Flames to open the 3rd quarter.

BYU down by 13. #BYUvsLIB #BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

I’m still waiting to something different from this #BYU defense.

No pressure, no creativity, no success. #BYUvsLiberty #BYUFootball

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) October 22, 2022

I mean ain’t no way we can keep watching this and be like … you know what let’s keep this defensive strategy up…

— Kyle Van Noy (@KVN_03) October 22, 2022

“They are slicing and dicing the BYU defense every which way.” Probably not a good thing to hear

— Patrick Kinahan (@PKKinahan) October 22, 2022

4th and 1? That ain't no problem. @goldenchief5 finds his way to the endzone! 🔥 TOUCHDOWN FLAMES 🔥 pic.twitter.com/PZ99d1LXEO

— Liberty Football (@LibertyFootball) October 22, 2022

Liberty opens up the third quarter with a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that eats up 5:44 of game clock.

Flames are up to 359 yards of offense. #BYUvsLIB #BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

I get that it was in your own territory, but I think that was a spot to go for it on 4th & 7. Whether it's 80 yards or 50, Liberty is moving the ball at will on #BYU's defense. Give Jaren a chance to do something special.#BYU opts for a punt that goes for a touchback.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

Liberty 80-yard touchdown run. Rock bottom.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

FOOT ON THE GAS. ABSOLUTELY NO BRAKES.@TheDaeDae0 80 YARD TOUCHDOWN! 🔥😱🔥😱🔥😱 pic.twitter.com/bExnPjt9WX

— Liberty Football (@LibertyFootball) October 22, 2022

All I can think of is that TikTok sound, "Nobody move, there's blood on the floor."

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

31 unanswered points.

It’s unbelievable. #BYU #BYUFootball

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) October 22, 2022

Nobody on defense is playing well.

I don’t know what options #BYU has when the starters are playing poorly. #BYUFootball

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) October 22, 2022

A couple of the #LocalsInTheNFL shared their hot takes on @BYUfootball's play against @LibertyFootball. 😬 🔥 #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL #BYUvsLIB https://t.co/vtErsFFWAu

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 22, 2022

#BYU defense gets a much-needed stop. Lorenzo Fauatea forced a fumble and it was recovered by Caden Haws.#BYUvsLIB #BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

Lorenzo Fauatea with his third career forced fumble. Caden Haws with his first career fumble recovery. #BYUFootball

— BYU Game Notes (@BYUGameNotes) October 22, 2022

Two plays later, Jaren Hall gets hit as he throws. Interception by Liberty's Daijahn Anthony.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

Overturned. #BYU maintains possession on 3rd & 7.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

Every BYU fan right now watching this game pic.twitter.com/VicNDCOzDS

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

End of the 3rd Quarter

Liberty 34, BYU 14

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

One. To. Go. pic.twitter.com/o9A4DUQOj9

— Liberty Football (@LibertyFootball) October 22, 2022

Fourth Quarter

This is 100 times worse than Arkansas

— Patrick Kinahan (@PKKinahan) October 22, 2022

Touchdown Liberty. The Flames are fulfilling their vision with a rout of #BYU. #BYUvsLIB #BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

This game was once 14-3 in favor of #BYU. 38 unanswered points for Liberty.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

.@j_bennett6 THE THROW 😮@cjaaaay_ THE CATCH 😱
TOUCHDOWN FLAMES 🔥 pic.twitter.com/whi6iXNjYc

— Liberty Football (@LibertyFootball) October 22, 2022

The offense deserves plenty of blame.

It’s easy to pick on the #BYU defense, but the offense has played poorly throughout this three game stretch as well.

No consistency in any aspects.

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) October 22, 2022

This loss will rank up there with UMass, ECU, UAB, NIU in the Kalani Sitake era.

But what makes this loss near the worst, this was the team with endless experience and talent in key sports. Bottoming out for the program as they are eight months away from joining the Big 12.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

Chris Brooks has 3 carries in this game.

He’s averaging over 8 yards per carry.

I don’t understand why Aaron Roderick doesn’t give him the ball more. #BYUFootball #BYU

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) October 22, 2022

This new album doesn’t sit right. 😞 pic.twitter.com/7OaXtwGWun

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 22, 2022

For the first time since the first quarter of the Arkansas game, #BYU's defense has forced a punt.

Liberty punts the ball away to #BYU with 4:53 left in the 4th quarter.#BYUvsLIB #BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

Liberty goes into victory formation against #BYU. They fulfilled a vision by crushing BYU 41-14 in a game that wasn't competitive the last three quarters. #BYUvsLIB #BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 22, 2022

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.

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