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
2023 Conference USA Standings
Team | CONF | OVR |
---|---|---|
Liberty | 8-0 | 13-1 |
New Mexico State | 7-1 | 10-5 |
Jacksonville State | 6-2 | 9-4 |
Western Kentucky | 5-3 | 8-5 |
Middle Tennessee | 3-5 | 4-8 |
Louisiana Tech | 2-6 | 3-9 |
Sam Houston | 2-6 | 3-9 |
UTEP | 2-6 | 3-9 |
Florida International | 1-7 | 4-8 |
2023 American Athletic Conference Standings
Team | CONF | OVR |
---|---|---|
SMU | 8-0 | 11-3 |
Tulane | 8-0 | 11-3 |
UTSA | 7-1 | 9-4 |
Memphis | 6-2 | 10-3 |
South Florida | 4-4 | 7-6 |
Rice | 4-4 | 6-7 |
Navy | 4-4 | 5-7 |
North Texas | 3-5 | 5-7 |
UAB | 3-5 | 4-8 |
Florida Atlantic | 3-5 | 4-8 |
Charlotte | 2-6 | 3-9 |
Tulsa | 2-6 | 4-8 |
Temple | 1-7 | 3-9 |
East Carolina | 1-7 | 2-10 |