The Liberty Flames are an impressive 7-0 and up to No. 22 in the AP Poll. This weekend, they take on a Western Carolina team that will be playing its first game of the year.

A huge reason for the Flames’ success under head coach Hugh Freeze is former Auburn QB Malik Willis, who has become a star under Freeze’s tutelage.

Willis has thrown for 1,339 yards and 12 touchdowns in 7 games and has added 603 yards and 7 scores as a runner.

This week, Auburn coach Gus Malzahn was asked about Willis’s performance, and he said he’s not surprised Willis has thrived under his friend Freeze (via 247Sports):

“First of all, he’s a wonderful person,” Malzahn said of Willis. “It doesn’t surprise me at all. He’s very talented. And, like I said, me and Hugh are very close. He would keep me updated on how he’s doing. So it doesn’t surprise me.

“They’ve got it going on. That was an unbelievable win (over Virginia Tech). And happy for Malik, happy for Hugh. But it doesn’t surprise me.”

Liberty’s offense averages 470 yards per game, and Willis is the guy who makes that happen. Now, the question becomes about Freeze and his future. He just signed an extension with Liberty this week, so we’ll see what happens if bigger schools come calling.