LYNCHBURG -- Cal McCombs could see it slipping away. Charlie Liesfeld had a different vision.

While Liberty was driving down field in the closing minutes Saturday, McCombs couldn't help but recall two years ago when the Flames snatched a win away with a huge fourth-quarter rally.

"I tried not to, but I thought 'here it goes again,' " VMI coach McCombs admitted.

Liesfeld wouldn't let it. On second down from the 9, Liesfeld sacked Liberty quarterback Brock Farrel, driving him back to the 17. On the next play, Farrel pitched out to freshman running back Ryan Greiser on an option play, but cornerback Titus Green hauled him down at the 12 with 47 seconds left.

The Flames had a shot to tie the score with a 28-yard field goal, but Zacry Kolegue's kick clanged into the left upright.

The Keydets wound down the clock to earn their first victory since the opening weekend, a 10-7 win to kick off their Big South schedule.

"I had a feeling we were going to win the game," Liesfeld said. "It's an exciting feeling to be 1-0 in the conference."

Both McCombs and quarterback Jonathan Wilson credited the Keydets' defense for the victory.

Linebacker Justin Huggard led VMI (2-3, 1-0) with 14 tackles, seven solo, and an interception. He had 2 ¹₂ tackles for loss and was in on one of VMI's three sacks. Green finished with nine solo tackles and two assists.

The Keydets took the lead in the second quarter when Wilson led a drive from his own 10. On third-and-10 from the Liberty 34, Wilson dropped back to pass only to be faced with a blitz. Wilson tucked the ball under his arm and rumbled into the end zone.

"I avoided the linebacker; I thought he was going to sack me, but I just stood up on my feet then I was kind of stumbling the whole way," Wilson said. "I ran into the referee first. I didn't think I was going to make it past him, he was trying to tackle me. I was weaving in and out, looking for the big hole. I couldn't make it through a tight spot."

The Flames drove to the VMI 11, but Huggard ended the threat with an interception. The Keydets responded with 60-yard drive that resulted in a 33-yard field goal by Barrett Way for a 10-0 halftime edge.

Liberty had gone 14 straight quarters without scoring, but broke the spell with its opening drive of the third quarter. Marcus Hamilton capped the 65-yard march with a four-yard touchdown run.

The Keydets' offense stalled in the second half, gaining just 40 yards total and earning only four first downs.

"The defense kept stepping up and stepping up," McCombs said.

Safety Marcus Brown's interception stopped a Flames' drive at midfield with 7:43 to go in the game, but the Keydets gave the ball right back after a three-and-out possession.

Farrel completed five passes for 65 yards to get to the Keydets' 14 with 2:47 to go. But after a Farrel keeper gained 5, Liesfeld and Green made their stops, forcing Liberty (1-4, 0-1) to settle for a tying field-goal attempt.

Kolegue said he didn't feel any extra pressure.

"When I kicked it, I thought it was looking good, but then the ball took off to the left," Kolegue said. "I don't know why."

VMI 0 10 0 0 -- 10

Liberty 0 0 7 0 -- 7

Second Quarter

VMI--Wilson 34 run (Way kick), 8:54

VMI--FG Way 33, 0:23

Third Quarter

LU--Hamilton 3 run (Kolegue kick), 10:33

A--11,263.

VMI LU

First downs 14 18

Rushes-yards 41-125 40-64

Passing 120 209

Comp-Att-Int 14-21-0 17-26-2

Return Yards 37 97

Punts-Avg. 8-37 6-37

Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0

Penalties-Yards 9-63 8-72

Time of Possession 30:24 29:36

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING--VMI, Jackson 16-65, Royster 13-44, Wilson 8-23, Price 1-6, Maleski 2-4. Liberty, Otah, 16-42, Hamilton 9-27, Bolden 1-13, Greiser 2-0, Fluellen 2-0, Terrell 2-(minus 2), Farrel 8-(minus 16).

PASSING--VMI, Wilson 14-21-0. Liberty, Farrel 17-25-2, Terrell 0-1-0.

RECEIVING--VMI, Burden 5-43, Jackson 2-36, Rice 2-20, Royster 2-3, Lloyd 1-17, Fox 1-1, Gilliland 1-0. Liberty, Turner 6-85, Jackson 4-46, Fluellen 2-19, Luck 2-8, Williams 1-30, Otah 1-11, Hamilton 1-10.