LYNCHBURG, Va. (AP) — Evan Dickens scored the go-ahead touchdown with 36 seconds left and Liberty held on to beat New Mexico State 30-27 on Tuesday night.
Dickens' 8-yard touchdown capped a 13-play, 92-yard drive that took just over three minutes. New Mexico State quickly got into field goal position after Gavin Harris made a 32-yard catch with four seconds left. But Ryan Houck's 47-yard field goal attempt went left as time expired.
Dickens carried it 13 times for 50 yards and two touchdowns for the Liberty (3-4, 2-1 Conference USA). Ethan Vasko was 20 of 30 for 179 yards with two interceptions.
Logan Fife threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns for New Mexico State (3-3, 1-2). Kadarius Calloway ran for 84 yards and a touchdown.
Liberty's special teams made two big plays in the first half and helped build a 20-6 lead. Julian Gray returned the kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown midway through the second quarter for a 10-3 lead. The New Mexico State punt returner then had the ball bounce off his foot, leading to Dickens' short touchdown.
New Mexico State scored 21 straight points to start the second half with a 27-20 lead. But another muffed drive by the Aggies led to a short field goal for the Liberty to make it 27-23 early in the fourth.
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