Willis, Douglas propel Liberty past North Texas 35-26
Liberty Flames vs. North Texas Mean Green: Full Highlights
Liberty Flames vs. North Texas Mean Green: Full Highlights
DENTON, Texas -- — Malik Willis threw three touchdown passes and Demario Douglas returned a punt 72 yards for the go-ahead score as Liberty scored the final 21 points to upend North Texas 35-26 in nonconference play on Saturday.
Liberty (6-2), playing as an independent, trailed 20-7 after Aaron Beckham's 27-yard field goal for the Mean Green with 1:51 left in the first half. But backup quarterback Johnathan Bennett fired a 39-yard scoring strike to CJ Daniels to pull the Flames within six at intermission.
North Texas (1-6) stretched its lead to 26-14 on Austin Aune's 6-yard TD toss to Jason Pirtle with 7:27 remaining in the third quarter, but Aune's 2-point pass attempt failed and it was all downhill for the Mean Green from there. Willis connected with Daniels for a 20-yard TD to cut the Flames' deficit to 26-21. Liberty's defense forced a three-and-out and Douglas delivered his go-ahead TD with 3:03 remaining in the third quarter. Willis capped the scoring with a 37-yard TD strike to Shedro Louis early in the fourth.
Willis completed 12 of 18 passes for 222 yards, while Bennett was 7-of-18 passing for 88 yards. Daniels finished with seven receptions for 135 yards.
Aune completed 22 of 35 passes for 212 yards with two interceptions for North Texas. Ayo Adeyi had a 42-yard TD run and finished with 99 yards on 16 carries.
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Game Information
2024 Conference USA Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State | 6-0 | 7-3 |
| Western Kentucky | 5-1 | 7-3 |
| Sam Houston | 5-1 | 8-2 |
| Liberty | 4-2 | 7-2 |
| Louisiana Tech | 3-4 | 4-6 |
| Florida International | 2-4 | 3-7 |
| Middle Tennessee | 2-4 | 3-7 |
| UTEP | 2-5 | 2-8 |
| New Mexico State | 1-5 | 2-8 |
| Kennesaw State | 1-5 | 1-9 |
2024 American Athletic Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Army | 7-0 | 9-0 |
| Tulane | 7-0 | 9-2 |
| Navy | 5-2 | 7-3 |
| Memphis | 5-2 | 9-2 |
| East Carolina | 4-2 | 6-4 |
| South Florida | 3-3 | 5-5 |
| UTSA | 3-3 | 5-5 |
| Charlotte | 2-4 | 3-7 |
| North Texas | 2-4 | 5-5 |
| Rice | 2-4 | 3-7 |
| Temple | 2-4 | 3-7 |
| UAB | 1-5 | 2-8 |
| Tulsa | 1-5 | 3-7 |
| Florida Atlantic | 0-6 | 2-8 |
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