Rutigliano, Liberty Win Opener, 51-27
LYNCHBURG, Va. — Sam Rutigliano, formerly the coach of the Cleveland Browns, debuted with Liberty Baptist Saturday night as the Flames won their season opener over Edinboro, 51-27.
Charles McCrary rushed for 115 yards and two touchdowns and Paul Johnson, who completed 18 of 27 passes for 271 yards, threw for three touchdowns for the Division I-AA school.
Rutigliano coached the Browns from 1978 to 1984.
The Flames held a 23-14 halftime lead, but the Scots came back with a 50-yard pass from Hal Galupi to Ernest Priester to cut the score to 23-21 in the third quarter.
Liberty put the game away later in the quarter when McCrary scored from seven yards out and Phil DeBerry scooped up a punt blocked by Donald Smith on the Scots’ 25 and ran it in for another score.
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
