College Sports

Barbir's FG gives No. 25 Liberty 38-35 win over Hokies

Posted November 07, 2020 6:00 am

By JIMMY ROBERTSON

Liberty's CJ Yarbrough catches a touchdown pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech, Saturday, Nov. 7 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool) The Associated Press

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) - Alex Barbir hit a career-long 51-yard field goal with 1 second remaining to lift No. 25 Liberty to a 38-35 victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday.

Barbir's kick punctuated a wild ending for the Flames, who rallied from a 20-14 halftime deficit and moved to 7-0 for the first time in program history.

Barbir had a 59-yard attempt blocked with 8 seconds left, and Virginia Tech's Jermaine Waller returned it to the end zone for what appeared to be the game-winning score for the Hokies (4-3). But officials ruled that Virginia Tech had called a timeout before the attempt.

Liberty then elected to go for it on fourth-and-6 from the Virginia Tech 41. Malik Willis found CJ Yarbrough for an 8-yard gain at the Virginia Tech 33 with 5 seconds left, allowing Barbir to come out for a shorter 51-yard attempt, which he drilled.

Willis led the Flames, who knocked off their second ACC opponent this season and won their eighth straight game going back to last season. He threw for 217 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 108 yards and a score.

Hendon Hooker paced Virginia Tech, throwing for 217 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 156 yards and a touchdown.

THE TAKEAWAY

Liberty: The Flames masterfully controlled the clock in this game, holding the ball for more than 37 minutes, keeping their defense off the field, and winning time of possession for the sixth time in seven games. Their ability to control the clock helped their defense against a Virginia Tech offense that came into the game averaging 472.8 yards and 37.7 points per game.

Virginia Tech: This loss could linger for a while for the Hokies, who continue to struggle on defense, having allowed at least 198 yards rushing in four of their past five games. The road doesn't get any easier, with games against Miami, at Pittsburgh, and against Clemson on the horizon.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

After making its first-ever appearance in the Associated Press national poll, Liberty probably will move up a few spots after its stunning road win over an ACC foe.

UP NEXT

Liberty: The Flames return home to play Western Carolina on Saturday.

Virginia Tech: The Hokies play Miami at home on Saturday.

___

Liberty quarterback Malik Willis has the ball stripped from him for a turnover by Virginia Tech's Norell Pollard during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 7 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool) The Associated Press

Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze stands on the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech, Saturday, Nov. 7 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool) The Associated Press

Virginia Tech quarterback Hendon Hooker scores on a 12-yard touchdown run past Liberty's Javon Scruggs during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 7 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool) The Associated Press

Virginia Tech's TrÃ© Turner, left, catches a pass as Liberty's Marcus Haskins closes in during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 7 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool) The Associated Press

Virginia Tech's Nick Gallo scores on a pass from quarterback Hendon Hooker during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Liberty, Saturday, Nov. 7 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool) The Associated Press

Liberty quarterback Malik Willis, right, attempts to elude Virginia Tech's Chamarri Conner during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 7 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool) The Associated Press

Virginia Tech's Dorian Strong breaks up a pass intended for Liberty wide receiver Kevin Shaa during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 7 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool) The Associated Press

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