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  • Late Touchdown By Evan Dickens Fans The Liberty Flames Past New Mexico State, 30–27

Late Touchdown By Evan Dickens Fans The Liberty Flames Past New Mexico State, 30–27

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Football

(BCSNN) — Evan Dickens rushed for an 8-yard touchdown with 36 seconds remaining to give Liberty a 30–27 win over New Mexico State on Wednesday night at Williams Stadium. The Flames improved to 3–4 overall and 2–1 in Conference USA play, earning their second straight midweek victory.

Liberty’s game-winning drive covered 92 yards in 13 plays and lasted 3 minutes, 10 seconds. The Flames converted a third-and-10 near midfield and overcame a holding penalty before Dickens capped the possession with his second touchdown of the night.

New Mexico State (4–3, 2–1 CUSA) tried to mount one last scoring effort and got into field goal range following a 32-yard pass play from Logan Fife to Gavin Harris. However, Ryan Hawk's 47-yard field goal attempt as time expired missed, allowing Liberty to secure the victory.

The Aggies won nearly every stat category in the game outside of points scored. New Mexico State finished with a 388 to 293 total offensive yard edge, held a 33:53 to 26:07 time of possession edge and converted on 10-of-17 third-down plays.

Liberty also allowed New Mexico State to rush for 146 yards, despite the Aggies ranking No. 134 in the country coming into the game in rushing offense (50.6 yards per game). However, the Flames used another strong kicking game from Billingsley, a kickoff return for a touchdown by Julian Gray and forced two muffed punt returns to turn the tide.

Vasko completed 20-of-30 passing attempts for 179 yards, while throwing two interceptions and losing another ball on a sack. Dickens, who scored the game-winner with 36 seconds left, led Liberty's rushing attack with 13 carries for 50 yards and two rushing touchdowns.

Donte Lee, Jr. caught five of his team-high six passes on the game winning drive and led the Flames with 55 receiving yards. Damond Harmon and Joseph Carter paced Liberty's defensive effort with 10 tackles each, giving Carter three-straight double-digit tackle games.

Next up, Liberty will get a break before returning to action on Nov. 1 to host the Delaware Blue Hens. As for the Aggies, New Mexico State Football will try to regroup before hosting Missouri State on Oct. 22.