NFL Draft Scout
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Selected: Round 3, Pick 22, Overall Pick 86 by Titans
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Class/Draft Year: /2021
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Zybek PD3X AKA "Official"
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Data Scout Notes: 2021: 1stPS...PManning...2020: 2ndPS...Transfer from Auburn
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Malik Willis making quite the impression on and off the football field. The NFL prospect, who played quarterback at both Liberty and Auburn, went viral Thursday after video was captured of Willis giving clothes he'd received at the NFL Combine to a homel ess woman outside of the Indianapolis Convention Center. "I walked past her on the way to the Nike suite and I chopped it up with them and I walked out with a suitcase and whatnot. And I felt bad because I saw her son. It was a pregnant lady and she was homeless," Willis told NFL Network, per CBS Sports. "And I was just like, Shoot, I don't have no money, but I can give you a couple of shirts." The idea the moment would be captured on video and go viral didn't occur to the quarterback. "I just felt like I had to do that," Willis said. "I mean, I'm at a position right now where I'm not worried about much of anything except getting better. So, if I can help her out any way, I felt like I had to." - Birmingham News
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022  QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: Birmingham News
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Malik Willis passed for 231 yards and accounted for five touchdowns and Liberty rolled over Eastern Michigan in the LendingTree Bowl. Willis, a potential NFL first-round pick, completed 13 of 24 passes, with touchdowns of 54 yards to DJ Stubbs, 20 yards to Johnny Huntley and 3 yards to Demario Douglas. Willis also ran for 58 yards, with touchdowns of 2 and 35 yards. The Flames (8-5) improved to 3-0 in bowls, tying Appalachian State for the best postseason start by an FBS team. Liberty also got a defensi ve touchdown in the first quarter on Skyler Thomas' 27-yard interception return. Thomas deflected a short pass by Ben Bryant, caught the ball out and ran to the end zone. Eastern Michigan finished 7-6. - Liberty/AP College Football
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: Liberty/AP College Football
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Malik Willis threw for four scores and Liberty put up two quick touchdowns to open the game in defeating Massachusetts 62-17 on Saturday. The Flames (7-2) scored touchdowns just over a minute apart on their first two possessions, led 21-3 after one quart er and 41-3 by halftime in winning their 15th straight home game, a program record. They had the fourth-longest active FBS home streak coming into Saturday's game.Duron Lowe intercepted Brady Olson on the game's first scrimmage play and T.J. Green ran for a 26-yard score on the next snap. On the first play of the Minutemen's next possession, Olson was sacked by Aakil Washington and Stephen Sings recovered the fumble at the UMass 6. Demario Douglas scored on the next play off a run-pass option. Wi llis found DJ Stubbs deep on the right side for a 60-yard score and it was 21-3. By halftime Willis was already 16-of-23 passing for 278 yards and four touchdowns. He finished 19 of 27 for 307 yards before giving way in the third quarter. In all, the Fla mes had six touchdown passes and 409 yards passing. Green rushed for two scores. Ellis Merriweather rushed for 149 yards on 24 carries for UMass (1-6). - Liberty/AP College Football
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: Liberty/AP College Football
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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, tr ailed 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 Texa s (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 fou rth. 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. - Liberty/AP College Football
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: Liberty/AP College Football
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Malik Willis accounted for three touchdowns - all in the third quarter - and Liberty pulled away in the second half to defeat UAB 36-12 in nonconference action on Saturday. After each team managed only a field goal in the first half, Willis used just fiv e plays to get the Flames (4-1) into the end zone on their first possession of the third quarter. He connected with Demario Douglas for a 34-yard gain on first down and then used three carries to cover the final 33 yards - capping the drive with an 8-yar d TD run.After a three-and-out by the Blazers (3-2), Douglas returned a punt 14 yards to the UAB 39-yard line and Willis fired a scoring strike to CJ Daniels on first down to put Liberty up 17-3. After another three-and-out by UAB, Willis hooked u p with Douglas for a 70-yard gain and capped the drive with a 1-yard TD run for a 24-3 advantage. Joshua Mack had an 8-yard TD run in the final quarter and Liberty freshman QB Johnathan Bennett got in on the scoring with a 33-yard TD strike to Treon Sibl ey. Willis completed 13 of 19 passes for 289 yards and ran for 144 yards on 15 totes. Douglas finished with four receptions for 128 yards. Liberty, an independent, outgained the Blazers 544 yards to 325. Jermaine Brown Jr. had a 59-yard TD run for the UA B in the final quarter. He finished with 106 yards on nine carries. - Liberty/AP College Football
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: Liberty/AP College Football
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Liberty quarterback Malik Willis ran for 100 yards in the first quarter against Old Dominion, making him the first Flames player since 2003 with a triple-digit rushing total after an opening quarter. Willis played a role in six touchdowns, second-most to his school-record seven against Southern Mississippi last season. - AP College Football
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: AP College Football
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Malik Willis threw for four touchdowns and ran for two more as Liberty shut out Old Dominion in the second half to earn a 45-17 in a non-conference game Saturday. Liberty had three third-quarter sacks and held the Monarchs to minus-1 yard of offense in t he period. Kendy Charles had a career-high three sacks for the Flames. Willis threw a pair of touchdown passes to CJ Daniels, including a 14-yard strike in the first quarter, and two more to Kevin Shaa, including a 38-yard score in the second quarter. Wi llis was 21 of 28 passing for 248 yards and gained 77 yards on nine carries. Liberty (3-0) had 182 yards rushing while holding Old Dominion to just 67 yards on 35 carries. D.J. Mack was 15 of 27 passing for the Monarchs (1-2) with a touchdown and an inte rception. - Liberty/AP College Football
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: Liberty/AP College Football
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Malik Willis threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score to lead Liberty to a 21-13 victory over Troy on Saturday night. Willis was 13-of-18 passing for 154 yards and added 93 yards rushing on 20 carries. He threw a 32-yard touchdown strike to D emario Douglas in the first quarter, and then floated a 2-yard TD pass to tight end Jerome Jackso n in the second. Willis sprinted to the right end zone pylon for a 4-yard touchdown that capped a 90-yard drive with 12:22 remaining. Storey Jackson sacked Taylor Powell on a third-and-goal, but Powell connected with Deyunkrea Lewis for an 11-yard touchdown pass to pull Troy (1-1) to 21-13 with 1:14 to play. Benjamin Alexander recovered the ensuing onside kick for Liberty (2-0). B.J. Smith had a 5-yard touc hdown run for the Trojans in the first quarter. Powell completed 18 of 25 passes for 211 yards. - Liberty/AP College Football
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: Liberty/AP College Football
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Malik Willis threw for a touchdown and ran for another, and Liberty opened the season with a 48-7 victory over Campbell on Saturday night. Willis threw a 35-yard TD pass to Demario Douglas to open the scoring and scored on a 12-yard run with 25 seconds l eft in the first half for a 27-7 lead. Liberty added rushing touchdowns by Joshua Mack and Shedro Louis in the third quarter for a 34-7 lead.Willis was 15-of-23 passing for 217 yards before giving way to Johnathan Bennett, who threw a 27-yard scor e to Jaivian Lofton. Mack, the leading active career rusher in FBS with 3,636 yards coming into the game, finished with 60 and would have had a second touchdown but fumbled near the goal line with teammate CJ Daniels recovering for the score. Hajj-Malik Williams passed 40 yards to Caleb Snead for the FCS Camels' only score. Liberty won its 12th consecutive game at Williams Stadium, a program record. The Flames finished No. 17 in the final Associated Press poll last fall after a 10-1 season and a bowl vi ctory. - Liberty/AP College Football
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: Liberty/AP College Football
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The NCAA allowed student-athletes to begin capitalizing on their name, image and likeness beginning July 1, and Liberty football players were among the first to take advantage of the new rule. The majority of the offensive line has a sponsorship deal wit h local barbeque restaurant County Smoak, while other players have signed deals with various companies. Quarterback Malik Willis, arguably the most marketable player on the Liberty roster, announced on social media Thursday he has signed with Steinberg S ports for his NIL representation. "Picking that person and picking that group to represent me during this NIL period was definitely a process. That's why it took so long," Willis said Friday, adding he allowed his father, Harold Willis, to be more hands- on with the process. "I just wanted to vet the right people and make sure I was going with the right people that would help me to be the best football player I could be while not having to worry about that type of stuff. That was the main priority." Stei nberg Sports' chairman is Leigh Steinberg, an American sports agent who has represented an NFL record eight No. 1 overall draft picks. Willis is the fourth college player to be represented by Steinberg Sports for NIL, joining Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler, Coastal Carolina cornerback D'Jordan Strong and South Carolina defensive back RJ Roderick. - Lynchburg News and Advance
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: Lynchburg News and Advance
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Elijah James blocked Massimo Biscardi's 42-yard field goal attempt in overtime to give No. 23 Liberty a 37-34 victory over No. 9 Coastal Carolina on Saturday night in a wild finish in the FBC Mortgage Cure Bowl. Liberty (10-1) took the lead on Alex Barbi r's 44-yard field goal on the first extra possession. Coastal Carolina (11-1) got a huge break in regulation when Liberty's Joshua Mack fumbled inside the 1 with 41 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Safety Alex Spillum recovered the fumble to end the l ong drive.Malik Willis ran for 137 yards and four touchdowns for Liberty. The Flames' only loss came to North Carolina State on a blocked field goal. Coastal Carolina overcame an early 14-0 deficit, and drove 72 yards to tie it in the fourth quart er. Grayson McCall ran in a 2-point conversion to make it 34-34 after throwing a 5-yard touchdown pass to Greg Latushko with 3:01 remaining. Coastal Carolina had won 12 straight. - AP College Football
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: AP College Football
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Coastal Carolina football coach Jamey Chadwell spent a good chunk of his 24-minute press conference Wednesday speaking highly of Liberty quarterback Malik Willis and the challenges the dual-threat athlete would present to his defense. College GameDay's t rip to Conway, South Carolina, and the matchup of two top 25 teams were also high on Chadwell's list of things he was looking forward to Saturday, but he was worried about slowing down the electric Willis. North Carolina State was the only team that cont ained Willis through the Flames' first 10 games. The coronavirus pandemic may have sacked Willis before Coastal got the chance to slow him down Saturday at Brooks Stadium.Willis, according to reports, tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week and his status for Saturday's game is in doubt. Liberty has not confirmed those reports and has not disclosed the names of players and coaches who have tested positive this season. A Sea of Red first reported the news of Willis' positive test, citing un named sources. "After all these questions about him, huh? Well, one, let's hope that he's OK, obviously," Chadwell said. "Hopefully it's not something that's going to be serious long-term for him. "That's disappointing, obviously, for him because I know he was probably looking forward to a big game and he's a great player," Chadwell added. "It's probably disappointing for our team, I know that, because I know they wanted to play against him. At the end of the day, they've got good players there, too, so we're going to have to still get ready and play a really great team. Let's hope that he gets better sooner rather than later." - Lynchburg News and Advance
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: Lynchburg News and Advance
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Malik Willis' first offensive series Friday against UMass looked a bit shaky. The Liberty quarterback was dropped for losses of one and eight yards, and he missed on a third-down pass intended for Kevin Shaa. Willis, though, quickly shook off the slow st art and reverted back to the sharp, poised and dynamic signal caller who led the Flames to eight consecutive victories to open the season. The redshirt junior threw for 223 yards and three touchdowns, ran for 63 yards and a score, and was electric in the Flames' 45-0 victory over UMass at Williams Stadium.It was a needed bounce-back performance for Willis. He threw three interceptions and was wildly inaccurate in last weekend's 15-14 loss at N.C. State. "It was good. I needed that last week. You always want to win, but we learned a lot from that game and I just had to take it back to the basics and get back to my fundamentals," said Willis, who completed 16 of 24 passes. "I was fundamentally not sound last week and just worked real hard this wee k to make sure I was focused in on that and just try to be the best that I could be and play for the glory of God." Wills completed eight straight passes and threw all three of his touchdown passes in the first half. - Lynchburg News and Advance
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: Lynchburg News and Advance
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Malik Willis passed for three touchdowns in the first half and Liberty blanked winless UMass 45-0 on Friday, rebounding from a stinging one-point loss in its previous game. Liberty (9-1), which outgained the Minutemen 629 yards to 227, scored touchdowns on four straight drives and added a field goal in the waning seconds of the first half to build a 31-0 halftime lead, adding another field goal and two more TDs on five second-half possessions. Willis was 16-for-24 for 223 yards passing. He connected for TDs with Kevin Shaa, Michael Bolinger and Demario Douglas. Peytton Pickett and Joshua Mack each rushed for more than 100 yards - Pickett picked up 125 on 10 carries with a 16-yard TD. Mack ran for 109 on 11 carries and touchdown bursts of 59 and 54-yard s.Receiver DJ Stubbs caught 3 passes for 56 yards and surpassed 1,500 career receiving yards. The Minutemen (0-4) end a truncated season. The school had originally opted not to play during the coronavirus pandemic but changed course in September, managing to schedule four games. UMass was outscored 161-16. Liberty ends its season at unbeaten No. 16 Coastal Carolina next Saturday and had also been undefeated before falling 15-14 at NC State a week ago. Attendance was capped at 250, per new orders from Virginia's governor. - AP College Football
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: AP College Football
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A significant portion of Liberty's offensive responsibilities fell on quarterback Malik Willis' shoulders in the season's first eight games. Each week, his maturation and understanding of Hugh Freeze's complex RPO offense developed, and he steadily evolv ed into a true dual-threat quarterback. The Flames flourished on offense, and Willis was at the center of a well-oiled, high-powered attack. The redshirt junior always deferred the praise sent his way. He credited his teammates for executing and the coac hes for putting the players in a position to succeed. Willis didn't see himself as the one making the offense flourish. It was a collective effort. Collectively, the Flames struggled mightily on the offensive side of the ball Saturday night against North Carolina State. There was no rhythm. The methodical, slow-it-down pace that worked incredibly well at Virginia Tech two weekends ago was stymied. Whenever tempo was utilized, there were mixed results.Willis didn't see it as a collective disappoin tment. He never looked at a stat sheet following the 15-14 heartbreaking loss. He honestly didn't have to. Three times his passes were intercepted by the Wolfpack, and his first of two fourth-quarter picks led to the go-ahead touchdown. For all the defer ring Willis has done in the good times, he placed the blame squarely on his shoulders. The same shoulders that helped lead Liberty into the FBS Top 25 polls for the first time. "I take the blame and God takes all the glory. It's all on me. I take the bla me for that loss," Willis said, never hesitating or mincing his words, though the pain was evident when he spoke. "I take the blame for turning the ball over and just putting us in terrible situations when the defense was picking us up every time and the offensive line was doing their part, running backs doing their part. I've just got to take command and do what I'm supposed to do and go out there and take care of the football." - Lynchburg News and Advance
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: Lynchburg News and Advance
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Liberty quarterback Malik Willis has been turning heads in a sizzling start to the season, his first as the Flames' starting signal caller. This week, he was added to another watch list that honors the nation's top college football player. Willis was add ed to the Maxwell Award watch list to go with his inclusion on the watch lists for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award and the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) National Performer of the Year. The Maxwell Award is presented annually to the nation's top player. It is voted on by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club.The semifinalists for the Maxwell and Bednarik Awards will be announced Nov. 30, and the three finalis ts for each award will be announced Dec. 8. Willis, who garnered recognition for his running at the beginning of the season, has transformed into a true dual-threat quarterback as the season has progressed. He threw his 13th touchdown pass in the past fo ur games - and 16th of the season - with 19 seconds remaining in the first half of Saturday night's primetime matchup with N.C. State to tie the game at 7. - Lynchburg News and Advance
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: Lynchburg News and Advance
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Malik Willis threw for 306 yards and three touchdowns and ran for two more scores, leading No. 22 Liberty over Western Carolina 58-14 on Saturday. Liberty (8-0) won its 10th straight game and remained second behind Notre Dame for the nation's longest act ive winning streak. Playing their first game of the season, the Catamounts (0-1) trailed 14-7 early in the second quarter. Liberty then scored four straight touchdowns in the next 14 minutes. Willis completed 14 of 19 passes with touchdown strikes of 44, 40 and 83 yards. He scored on runs of 11 and 43 yards and rushed for 97 yards on eight carries. Willis has accounted for 16 touchdowns in the past three games, including 12 in the air. He threw for just three TDs in the Flames' first five games. - AP Co llege Football
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: AP College Football
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No. 2 Notre Dame has the longest active win streak in the FBS at 13 games. Which team has the second longest? No. 22 Liberty, which won its ninth in a row with its 38-35 victory at Virginia Tech. The Flames are 2-0 against ACC opponents - they beat Syrac use three weeks ago - after entering the season 0-8 against the league. Liberty, in its third year in the FBS, is the first non-Power Five team to defeat two ACC opponents in the same season since Houston did it in 2015. Liberty also is 4-0 against 2019 bowl teams. - AP College Football
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: AP College Football
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Liberty's Malik Willis joined Memphis' Brady White and Florida's Kyle Trask as quarterbacks to throw for six touchdowns in a game this season. Willis also ran for a score, giving him a Flames' program-record seven touchdowns in a 56-35 win over Southern Mississippi. The junior passed for a career-high 345 yards. - AP College Football
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: AP College Football
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Malik Willis threw for 345 yards and six touchdowns - five in the first half - and Liberty remained unbeaten after dominating Southern Mississippi 56-35 Saturday. The Flames (6-0) piled up 537 yards of offense, racing to a 35-7 halftime lead as Willis fo und five different receivers with scoring strikes. Willis also ran for a 38-yard score, taking part in a school-record seven touchdowns. Willis completed 24 of 31 passes without an interception and rushed for 97 yards on 12 attempts. Southern Miss (1-4) rallied with a 21-point third quarter on three rushing touchdowns by Tate Whatley and came as close as 35-28. Whatley rushed for four touchdowns and passed for another, picking up 52 yards on the ground and 188 in the air. With interim coach Scotty Waldr en unable to travel with the team after testing positive for COVID-19, the Golden Eagles were led by interim interim coach Tim Billings, who had last coached in 2005 at Southeast Missouri State. The game was played before 1,000 fans. - Liberty/AP College Football
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: Liberty/AP College Football
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Liberty quarterback Malik Willis completed 16 of 20 passes for 182 yards and one touchdown against the Orange. It was an efficient outing for the redshirt junior after he completed 38% of his passes the week before against Louisiana-Monroe. Willis put up those gaudy numbers without three of his top receivers. CJ Yarbrough, Noah Frith and Javian Lofton did not play against Syracuse. Flames coach Hugh Freeze revealed Yarbrough took a hit on one of his shoulders during practice and the injury "just kind of flared back up." Wills completed passes to seven different receivers. "Everybody on this roster can roll and we have trust in them," said Willis, who added 58 rushing yards and a 4-yard touchdown in the second quarter. "When the ball is in the air, we t rust them to go get it."Willis' favorite targets were slot receivers DJ Stubbs and DeMario Douglas. Both had four catches and combined for 91 receiving yards. Stubbs hauled in a 36-yard touchdown pass to cap the Flames' opening drive of the third quarter for a 28-14 lead. "Really wasn't sure if we could win a lot of one-on-one battles on the outside with their corners; I thought they were very talented there," Freeze said. "I thought we could win some in the slot and we waited and calculated our shots there with those guys, and I thought we were dead-on with most of those." - Lynchburg News and Advance
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: Lynchburg News and Advance
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Seldom-used running back Shedro Louis scored on touchdown runs of 75 and 52 yards, quarterback Malik Willis passed for one and ran for another score and Liberty stayed undefeated, downing Syracuse 38-21 Saturday. It was Liberty's first win against an Atl antic Coast Conference team. Louis, a third-string sophomore, rushed for a career-high 170 yards for the Flames (5-0). Liberty, which averaged 250 yards on the ground entering the game, had 258 yards rushing in the first half and 338 for the game. In a 2 4-0 shutout over Liberty a year ago, Syracuse (1-4, 1-3 ACC) held the Flames to minus 4 yards on the ground. Louis' previous game high was 57 yards against North Alabama earlier this season. His longest run from scrimmage was 30 yards in the same game. E ntering the contest, Louis had just 23 carries for 140 yards in his career. Willis was 16 of 20 passing for 182 yards with one touchdown pass, and added 58 yards on the ground. DJ Stubbs had four receptions, including a 36-yard touchdown in the third qua rter. Peytton Pickett, who added 115 yards rushing, scored on a 16-yard run. Alex Barbir had a 20-yard field goal. - Liberty/AP College Football
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: Liberty/AP College Football
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Malik Willis looked calm and composed in the pocket on several plays Saturday. On others, he appeared out of sync and looking to make something happen against the Louisiana-Monroe defense. The Liberty quarterback, in his first action since Sept. 26 again st FIU, said he "was a little rusty; I was a lot rusty," while wearing a protective brace on his left elbow in the Flames' 40-7 victory over the Warhawks at Williams Stadium. Willis led the Flames with 87 rushing yards on 13 carries, but he was not sharp in the passing attack. He completed 11 of 29 passes for 177 yards and his first interception of the season."I practiced with it on, but ain't nothing like live reps," Willis said of wearing the brace. "I just needed that whole environment to see how it feels and to take a hit on it and see how that feels. Everything worked out. I have a lot of information from this game and I have a lot to build upon." The signal caller, one of the most explosive players through the season's first two weeks, was not crisp or accurate in the passing attack like he was before the injury. Several of his throws sailed on him, and he missed at least four deep throws where his receivers were behind the ULM secondary. "At least two got to be hit, at least," Willis sai d. "I definitely want all of them back because I feel like I could have made better throws. I think at first I was playing a little timid, then I had to get out of that and just start back playing like myself and just stepping into all my throws and then doing the right fundamentals." - Lynchburg News and Advance
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: Lynchburg News and Advance
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Willis was injured on a third-down run in the fourth quarter during Liberty's Sept. 26 victory over FIU. He was fitted for a brace the following Monday and wore it during the pregame warmups and throughout the game on the sidelines against North Alabama. "He's ready to go. He could have played Saturday," Freeze said. "It's just a fact that if you have two weeks without him getting hit on it, the swelling has more time to go down and it's not near as sore. "I don't think, according to the doctors, he's i n danger of structurally anything happening with that brace that he has on it. It's just a matter of how do we get it to where it's not as sore as it could be. We thought that the best way is to make sure he doesn't get hit on it for two straight weeks." Freeze added Willis will wear the brace as he recovers from the injury. The coach has not specified the type of injury Willis suffered. Willis was electric in Liberty's victories over Western Kentucky and FIU. He accounted for 671 yards of total o ffense and five touchdowns, and his 253 rushing yards were the most by a quarterback in the season's opening month. Liberty averaged 32 points and more than 500 yards of total offense per game with Willis at quarterback. - Lynchburg News and Advance
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: Lynchburg News and Advance
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The last sight Liberty football fans had of quarterback Malik Willis on Saturday was his left arm cushioned in a massive sling as the Flames were celebrating a 36-34 victory over FIU. The reactions on social media were expected: Some fans wishing Willis a speedy recovery, others being optimistic, and a few expressing concern it could be a serious injury. Willis answered those questions Sunday on Twitter by telling one fan, "He's ok," and another, "I'm good!!" The redshirt junior's assessment backed Flam es coach Hugh Freeze's announcement Monday Willis is day-to-day with a left-elbow injury. Freeze did not specify the extent of Willis' injury."You've got to love Twitter. That's where most of the news is broken these days, it seems," Freeze said M onday with a chuckle. "Malik looked good this morning. He's in therapy. It's a left- elbow issue and he's getting fitted for his brace today. "He'll be anxious to play; we'll see how the week goes. It will be kind of day-to-day with him. It's not somethi ng that should keep him out for an extended period of time, if any at all. "We'll just have to see how the week goes. We're very blessed that that's the case, because some of the time you see some of those injuries, it could be a structural or a bone fra gment or something that's also involved, and that takes a little longer. It appears we're blessed that's not the case. Hopefully he'll be good to go very soon." Willis has completed 37 of 51 passes for 418 yards and two touchdowns and leads the team with 253 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. - Lynchburg News and Advance
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: Lynchburg News and Advance
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The dual-threat quarterback, who last week used his feet more than his arm, recorded his first two career passing touchdowns Saturday. Willis went 24 for 30 for 285 yards through the air, including a 24-yard TD pass to Noah Frith and a 14-yard TD toss to DJ Stubbs. The latter featured some acrobatic work from Stubbs, who tipped the ball and somehow corralled it in the back left corner of the end zone. "It was one of the most exciting plays of my life. Felt like AGG for a moment," Stubbs said, referring to Antonio Gandy-Golden, the highlight-reel-producing former LU receiver who is with the Washington Football Team now. Stubbs hauled in eight passes for 119 yards as Willis' favorite target of the day. Willis once again was Liberty's leading rusher, pick ing up 116 yards on the ground, 67 of which came late in the game when he scrambled on third down, then spun out of a tackle in the middle of the field, setting up an eventual field goal in the fourth quarter. - Lynchburg News and Advance
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: Lynchburg News and Advance
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Malik Willis threw two touchdown passes and accounted for 370 yards of offense to lead Liberty to a 36-34 victory over Florida International on Saturday. Willis was 24-of-30 passing for 285 yards and added 85 yards rushing. His 67-yard run helped set up Alex Barbir's 27-yard field goal that stretched the Flames' lead to 36-28 with 6:32 remaining. Lexington Joseph returned the ensuing kickoff 63 yards. Four plays later Stone Norton made it 36-34 with a 6-yard TD pass to D'vonte Price, pulling FIU to 36-3 4 with 4:30 to play.Joseph also ran 100 yards into the end zone on the opening kickoff. Norton was sacked twice as the Panthers went four-and-out on their final possession deep inside their own territory with 1:32 left. Joshua Mack had a 2-yard TD run in the fourth quarter and finished with 107 yards rushing for Liberty (2-0). Price, a senior, ran for a career-high 148 yards with TD runs from 30 and 65 yards in the Panthers' season opener. The freshman Norton was 9-of-13 passing for 120 yards wit h two touchdown passes. Capacity was limited to 1,000 at 25,000-seat Williams Stadium. It was the first meeting between the teams. - Liberty/AP College Football
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: Liberty/AP College Football
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Malik Willis rushed for 168 yards and three touchdowns in his Liberty debut as the Flames opened their season with a 30-24 victory over Western Kentucky on Saturday. Willis, a backup quarterback at Auburn for two seasons before transferring and sitting o ut last year, ran for two short touchdowns in the first half and added an 18-yard run early in the fourth quarter for a 30-17 lead. He had 21 carries and threw for 133 yards on 13-of-21 passing. Tyrrell Pigrome, a grad transfer from Maryland where he sta rted seven games over four years, threw three touchdown passes, including a 36-yard score to Craig Burt Jr. to get the Hilltoppers (0-2) within 30-24 with three minutes left.Liberty, however, was able to run out the clock. Pigrome finished 18-of-2 5 passing for 193 yards. The Flames snapped a 14-all tie late in the third quarter when Shedro Louis sped around the left side for a 29-yard score. Willis started the 85-yard drive with a 51-yard run. Joshua Mack added 100 yards rushing on 23 carries wit h Liberty finishing with 354 yards on the ground. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, attendance was restricted to 20 percent of the 22,113-seat stadium with fans required to wear masks. - Liberty/AP College Football
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: Liberty/AP College Football
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Malik Willis was widely expected to take over the reins of Liberty's offense for the 2020 season following the graduation of record-setting signal caller Buckshot Calvert. The dual-threat quarterback who transferred from Auburn was seen as the type of at hlete who would thrive in Hugh Freeze's RPO offense. Willis, who battled Chris Ferguson and Johnathan Bennett during training camp, was tabbed by Freeze on Monday as the Flames' QB1 for Saturday's season opener at Western Kentucky. "Malik will get the st art on Saturday," Freeze said. " … We feel very good about he and Chris and even JB. They both have continued to improve. Just feel like Malik maybe gives us just a little extra something when plays don't quite go the way we want with his legs. He's go ing to get the start on Saturday." The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Willis gives the Flames an extra dimension to the offense that wasn't available last season with Calvert. The program's all-time leader in most every passing category was a pure passer who could move around in the pocket with his eyes up the field, but was never a consistent threat to run the ball. - Lynchburg News and Advance
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: Lynchburg News and Advance
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Former Auburn backup quarterback Malik Willis will transfer to Liberty, a source told AL.com. It was Ben Wolk that first reported the news of Willis' destination. Willis spent two years at Auburn as a backup to Jarrett Stidham, playing in 15 games, while running for two touchdowns and throwing for one more - including one against Liberty last season. The dual-threat QB has two years of eligibility remaining.Willis was a part of a three-person race for the starting QB spot at Auburn to start the s pring, but he was the odd man out entering the summer, and elected to transfer shortly thereafter. He will now play for Hugh Freeze, the first-year head coach for the Flames. He threw for 69 yards over two years and ran for 309 yards. - AL.com
(DS#2 QB) rSr/2022 QB Malik Willis, Liberty
News Source: Al.com
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