Game Day: LendingTree Bowl vs. Eastern Michigan

The Flames will look to wrap up their third season in a row with a bowl game win when the Flames square off against Eastern Michigan at the LendingTree Bowl on Saturday in Mobile, Ala.

Game Day Central page

Live Audio (LFSN Radio)

Live Stats (LendingTreeBowl.com)

Live Video (ESPN)

Hancock Whitney Stadium

Flames Ticket Office

Game Day Information Guide

Tailgating and Parking Information

Other Links:

Liberty Game Notes

Eastern Michigan Game Notes

Weather – Mobile, Ala.

Official Kickoff:

5:45 p.m. (EST)

TV Coverage:

ESPN

Play-By-Play Broadcaster: Chris Cotter

Color Commentator: Mark Herzlich

Sideline Reporter: Jalyn Johnson

Radio Coverage:

Liberty Flames Sports Network – Radio

Flagship: The Journey FM (88.3 FM Lynchburg)

LFSN Radio Network Affiliates List

Play-By-Play Broadcaster: Alan York

Color Commentator: Brad Butler

Sidelines: Nick Pierce

Pregame: Nick Pierce and Brad Butler

Pregame Show: 4:00 p.m. (EST)

Saturday's Top Storylines

Liberty (7-5) will aim for its third bowl game victory in its third season of FBS bowl eligibility when it matches up against Eastern Michigan (7-5, 4-4 MAC) in the LendingTree Bowl.

Liberty was the Cure Bowl champion in 2019 and 2020. The Flames are looking to join Appalachian State as the only teams to win bowl games in their first three seasons of bowl eligibility after transitioning from FCS to FBS football.

Liberty's only previous matchup with Eastern Michigan (Oct. 14, 1989) was a historic game for the Flames. Eric Green, the program's only NFL first-round draft pick, caught the winning TD pass with 11 seconds remaining to give the Flames their first-ever win over an FBS opponent, 25-24.

The Flames are 2-0 when playing in Alabama this season, including a 21-13 victory at Troy (Sept. 11) and a 36-12 win at UAB (Oct. 2).

In his third season as Liberty's head coach, Hugh Freeze has posted a 25-11 record, including a 19-6 mark over the last 25 games. He is 2-0 in bowl games and 1-0 versus MAC opponents during his time with the Flames.

Liberty QB Malik Willis has accounted for a program-record 35 TDs (24 passing/11 rushing) this season. He rushed for four TDs during last year's 37-34 (OT) Cure Bowl win over Coastal Carolina. Willis will return to Hancock Whitney Stadium for the Reese's Senior Bowl.

A Liberty Win Would ...

Mark the Flames' third bowl victory in their third year of full FBS bowl eligibility. They would join Appalachian State (2015-20) as the only teams to win bowl games in each of their first three years after transitioning from FCS to FBS.

Give the Flames their 13th season in program history with eight or more wins, including their third in a row. They would join Appalachian State (2015-present) and Marshall (1997-2003) as the only FBS programs to win eight or more games in each of their first three seasons as fully bowl eligible FBS members after transitioning from FCS.

Make the Flames the first FBS independent team to win a bowl game in three straight seasons since Army (2016-18).

Boost Hugh Freeze's official record coaching in bowl games to 5-1, including 3-0 at Liberty. (Ole Miss's victory in the 2013 BBVA Compass Bowl was vacated.)

Mark the Flames' third win in Alabama this season, making Liberty the first FBS team in 2021 to win three games in a single state outside of its home state.

Game Day: LendingTree Bowl vs. Eastern Michigan

Related Videos