Coastal Carolina 45, Liberty 31

Zach MacDowall threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score to lead Coastal Carolina to a 45-31 win over Liberty in a key Big South Conference game Saturday.

The Chanticleers (5-5, 4-1), who have won three in a row, handed the Flames their first conference loss.

MacDowall was 25 for 37 for 382 yards, tying his own school record set two years ago against Liberty. He threw scoring passes of 11, 8 and 11 yards to Matt Hazel, who tied the Chanticleers' record for TD receptions.

Stony Brook (5-0) moved into sole possession of first place in the league standings going into next week's game at Liberty, while Coastal Carolina will play Charleston Southern, which won its first league game Saturday.

The Chanticleers, who outgained the Flames 541-414, led 38-17 at halftime.

Mike Brown was 21 for 39 for 272 yards for Liberty (7-3, 4-1), which lost two fumbles.