University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
0-4
Liberty
9-1
Massachusetts Football Falls in Season Finale at Liberty
November 27, 2020 | Football
Emilus contributes 82 receiving yards, Ruane adds nine stops on defense
Redshirt freshman Garrett Dzuro made his first career start at quarterback, sharing snaps with redshirt sophomore Josiah Johnson. Junior Samuel Emilus led the receiving corps with four catches for 82 yards, including two grabs of 30-plus yards. Sophomore Jermaine "OC" Johnson, Jr. contributed a 20-yard catch and a 13-yard grab, extending his reception streak to 16 consecutive games.
Defensively, senior Mike Ruane turned in nine tackles, highlighted in part by a four-yard assisted sack alongside junior Taishan Holmes.
After the sides exchanges scoreless drives out of the gate, Liberty struck first on an eight-play, 80-yard sequence. Quarterback Malik Willis capped the drive finding Kevin Shaa on a 31-yard deep ball for a touchdown with 6:38 left in the opening quarter.
Massachusetts threatened on its ensuing drive, helped in part by a Liberty personal foul. But a fumble inside the Flames' 30-yard line set the stage for a Josh Mack 59-yard scamper two plays later, doubling Liberty's lead to 14-0.
Momentum appeared headed UMass' way on the first play of the second quarter, when Dzuro connected with junior Samuel Emilus for a 31-yard gain. But the red zone attempt came up empty when a Jeremy Martin field goal attempt sailed just left of the uprights.
Willis found Michael Bollinger on LU's next drive for a 13-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 21 points. The Flames would take a 31-0 lead into halftime on the strength of another 41-yard strike and a 24-yard field goal as the half expired. Two additional third quarter scores for the home squad brought the game to its final score.
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Team Stats
UMASS 0, LIBERTY 7
LIBERTY - SHAA, K. 31 yd pass from WILLIS, M. (BARBIR, A. kick) 8 plays, 80 yards, TOP 2:28
UMASS 0, LIBERTY 14
LIBERTY - MACK, J. 59 yd run (BARBIR, A. kick), 2 plays, 72 yards, TOP 0:28
UMASS 0, LIBERTY 21
LIBERTY - BOLLINGER, M. 13 yd pass from WILLIS, M. (BARBIR, A. kick) 5 plays, 76 yards, TOP 1:52
UMASS 0, LIBERTY 28
LIBERTY - DOUGLAS, D. 41 yd pass from WILLIS, M. (BARBIR, A. kick) 7 plays, 80 yards, TOP 4:30
UMASS 0, LIBERTY 31
LIBERTY - BARBIR, A. 24 yd field goal 7 plays, 55 yards, TOP 0:36
UMASS 0, LIBERTY 38
LIBERTY - WILLIS, M. 54 yd run (BARBIR, A. kick), 5 plays, 67 yards, TOP 1:27
UMASS 0, LIBERTY 45
LIBERTY - PICKETT, P. 16 yd run (BARBIR, A. kick), 3 plays, 41 yards, TOP 1:35
