Liberty quarterback Malik Willis (7) looks to make a pass during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Massachusetts on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Va. (AP Photo/Shaban Athuman)
The Associated Press
LYNCHBURG, Va. (AP) - 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-yards.
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.
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Liberty wide receiver Kevin Shaa (2) celebrates his touchdown with teammate running back Peytton Pickett (25) as Massachusetts safety Tanner Davis (38) walks away during the first half of a NCAA college football game on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Va. (AP Photo/Shaban Athuman)
The Associated Press
Liberty wide receiver Kevin Shaa (2) hauls in a touchdown pass in front of Massachusetts' Noah Boykin (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Va. (AP Photo/Shaban Athuman)
The Associated Press
Liberty wide receiver DJ Stubbs (5) hauls in a pass as he is defended by Massachusetts player Cody Jones (29) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Va. (AP Photo/Shaban Athuman)
The Associated Press
Massachusetts quarterback Garrett Dzuro (9) makes a pass under pressure during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Liberty on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Va. (AP Photo/Shaban Athuman)
The Associated Press
Massachusetts quarterback Garrett Dzuro (9) makes a pass under pressure during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Liberty on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Va. (AP Photo/Shaban Athuman)
The Associated Press
Massachusetts quarterback Garrett Dzuro (9) makes a pass under pressure during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Liberty on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Va. (AP Photo/Shaban Athuman)
The Associated Press
Massachusetts quarterback Garrett Dzuro (9) carries the ball as he is stopped by Liberty linebacker Tyren Dupree (35) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Va. (AP Photo/Shaban Athuman)
The Associated Press
Liberty wide receiver DJ Stubbs (5) hauls in a pass as he is defended by Massachusetts player Cody Jones (29) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Va. (AP Photo/Shaban Athuman)
The Associated Press
Liberty wide receiver Demario Douglas (3) scores a touchdown as he is defended by Massachusetts player Cody Jones (29) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Va. (AP Photo/Shaban Athuman)
The Associated Press