Liberty pulls away from Gardner-Webb 51-28

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.(AP) — Tommy Beecher threw three touchdown
passes and Mike Brown rushed for two scores to help Liberty pull
away from Gardner-Webb 51-28 Saturday.

Liberty (8-2, 5-0 Big South Conference) took sole possession of
first place in the league following Stony Brook’s 30-27 overtime
loss to Charleston Southern. Liberty plays at Stony Brook next
week.

David Montgomery took the opening kickoff 100 yards for a 7-0
Runnin’ Bulldogs lead.

After the first half was tied on three occasions, Liberty took
the lead for good at 30-28 on the third of Matt Bevins’ three
straight field goals with 3:26 left in the third quarter.

Liberty sealed the win with three touchdowns, including
Demetrius Ward’s 18-yard fumble return.

Beecher was 23-for-32 for 337 yards for the Flames, who had 510
yards of offense.

Stan Doolittle went 25-for-42 for 221 yards and one touchdown
for Gardner-Webb (5-5, 2-3).