LYNCHBURG, Virginia - For the second week in a row, the outcome of Liberty's game was decided in the closing seconds. This time, the Flames fell just a yard short of extending their game against No. 24 Norfolk State.
With just over three minutes left to play in the game, the Flames were able to drive to the Norfolk State one-yard line. However, the Spartans' Keenan Lambert was able to keep fullback Nicky Fualaau from catching a ball in the end zone, thus securing a 31-24 win for the visitors in Liberty's 2012 home opener.
For the first time since the 2003 season, the Flames open a season with an 0-2 record after the loss, Saturday night, at Williams Stadium. The win ups Norfolk State's season mark to 2-0.
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Norfolk State outscored the Flames, 24-7, in the second half and outgained Liberty, 212-93, during the final 30 minutes. The decisive second half also saw two special teams touchdowns and a fumble recovery for a score.
Norfolk State's defense held strong on the game's opening drive, forcing the Flames to punt after a three-and-out series. However, it was a mishap by the Spartans' special teams that gave the Flames the ball right back.
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Liberty-Norfolk State Sunday wrap
The degree of difficulty on reporting last night’s Liberty-Norfolk State game was about a 9.4. The only thing that could have made it harder was overtime, which would have occurred had it not been for a heady defensive play by Norfolk State defensive back Keenan Lambert, who knocked a potential game-tying pass away from Flames fullback Nicky Fualaau.
There was a lot going on and a lot to process in a very short amount of time. I left the interview room at 10:55 and had to crank out a ton of copy in about 40 minutes, so it probably wasn’t my best work. After a night to sleep on it, here are some random thoughts and musings:
* I love that most of Liberty’s games are on ESPN3.com so I can go back and watch replays of key plays from the night before. When All-American guard Malcolm Boyd went down in a heap in the first quarter, it was impossible to see from the press box. All you saw was the end of the play and Boyd not getting up. Checked out the ESPN3 replay of the FSN telecast from last night and they showed the critical angle of the injury. Boyd was blocking Norfolk State linebacker Terrence Pugh when Deon King got rolled into Boyd from behind, snapping his right leg. The video replay isn’t for the squeamish. The key angle showed Boyd’s lower leg at a 90-degree ankle from the rest of his body. We’ll get an official word on Tuesday at the press conference on Boyd’s injury, but I can’t imagine the prognosis will be good.
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