After recapping the difficult first four games of the 2012 season,, we now turn our attention to the remainder of the year, which featured a 6-1 finish and a share of the Big South championship. Liberty continued its record home conference winning streak, and the Flames look to be in prime position to continue the rebuilding process that Turner Gill started this season.
Week 5 vs. Gardner-Webb (42-35 Win)
The Flames came into their first conference face off of the season 0-4, and desperate to get their first win of the season on Homecoming weekend. Liberty of course has rarely been challenged by the Big South at home in recent years, having won every conference home game since Danny Rocco’s first season of 2006. That loss came at the hands of Gardner-Webb. This one started slow for the Flames, and it looked like Liberty was in danger of starting the Gill era 0-5 for much of the day. Down 21-10 at the half, Liberty gave up a pooch/onside kick on the opening play of the second half. This led to a quick Bulldogs touchdown and the game was looking bad at 28-10. However, Flames QB Josh Woodrum mounted an impressive comeback through the air, and the Flames rallied for a 42-35 victory. Woodrum completed 25 of 31 pass attempts for 373 yards, 3 TD’s and 1 INT on the day. Key in the victory were two second half turnovers by Gardner-Webb, a Walt Aikens interception and a fumble recovery by Bryant Lewellyn. Liberty scored 32 of the game’s final 39 points en route to the first win of the Turner Gill era.
Week 6 vs. Presbyterian (56-7 Win)
After a week 5 nail biter against Gardner-Webb, Liberty got a much needed break out win against Presbyterian. In a record setting day for the Flames, the offensive unit tallied 692 yards of total offense, and rolled to an easy 56-7 win. This was a dominating performance from start to finish, and the outcome was never in doubt. Both Aldreakis Allen and Sirchauncey Holloway eclipsed the 100 yard rushing mark in the first half of this one, and Allen finished the game with 183 yards and 4 TD’s. Josh Woodrum added 232 yards of passing offense, with 1 TD. This game was a great momentum builder, and an important road win against an opponent that Liberty had at times struggled with in the past. Presby took the Flames to double OT back 2011, but this one was never close.
Week 7 vs. Concord (21-13 Win)
In the final non-conference match up of the season for Liberty, the Flames took on Division II Concord at home in Williams Stadium. While many expected a dominating performance similar to the Presby game, this one was tight throughout. Injuries continued to pile up for Liberty, as deep threat WR Ryan Ferguson was lost for the season on the very first play of the game. Concord got off to a quick lead on a field goal block, scoop and score play. Down 7-0, Woodrum was able to engineer a solid drive, capped by Freshman WR Darrin Peterson’s first career TD reception. However, the big play again haunted Liberty when a Josh Woodrum pass was intercepted by a Concord defender, leading to another touchdown. The Flames were able to mount another drive before halftime, and take the lead 14-13 to end the half. Liberty RB Sirchauncey Holloway led the Flames in this one, going 28 rushes for 142 yards and 2 TD’s, including the game’s final score. Liberty’s defense was the key component to this victory. The unit kept Concord’s offense off the scoreboard with the exception of the 1 yard touchdown drive following Woodrum’s interception. The Flames were expected to come in to this one and win big, but were not able to do so. They did get the win, but the team’s struggles against a lesser opponent may have been a harbinger for things to come as Liberty would suffer their most costly loss of the season in Week 8 against Coastal.
Week 8 vs. Coastal Carolina (36-12 Loss)
Facing their biggest rival, the Liberty Flames made the decision to wear their practice jerseys against Coastal Carolina in Week 8. Unfortunately, the Flames spent much of the day looking like a practice squad, dropping a crucial Big South game in horrible conditions brought on by Hurricane Sandy. Liberty has always struggled in Conway, with the only road win in the series for the Flames coming in 2008. Woodrum threw a pick-six that bounced off of Pat Kelly early on, and the Chanticleers never looked back in route to the 36-12 win. Liberty’s offensive unit never could get going in the tough conditions, and did not manage to get a touchdown until late in the game. The bright spots in this one were the return of Freshman Kicker John Lunsford, and a school record 16 receptions for WR Pat Kelly. While getting the record in a losing effort, Kelly still had an impressive day. The loss put Liberty in the position of a likely three-way tie should they defeat Big South favorite Stony Brook.
Week 9 vs. Charleston Southern (26-12 Win)
The loss to Coastal the prior week meant that Liberty would have to win out and get some help to get to the FCS playoffs. To do that the Flames would have to defeat Charleston Southern at home. Historically the Bucs have been Liberty’s favorite whipping boy, as the Flames came into this year’s matchup 17-2 all-time against CSU. The Bucs came into this one hot, winners of three in a row. However, Liberty was able to ride three big play touchdowns by Aldreakis Allen to a 26-12 win at home. Allen finished with 19 carries for 179 yards and 3 TD’s. Liberty went to 4-5 on the year, and turned their focus to #6 ranked Stony Brook.
Week 10 vs. #6 Stony Brook (28-14 Win)
In what would have to be considered one of the biggest wins in school history, Liberty torched the Sea Wolves 28-14 on Senior Night at Williams Stadium. Stony Brook came into the game #6 in the nation, with a dominating rushing attack and efficient passing offense. This game was all about heart, and a dominating performance by the Flames defense. Liberty was able to intercept SBU QB Kyle Essington 4 times on the day, and score 2 defensive touchdowns en route to the 28-14 upset. Essington had only been picked 4 times all year coming into the game. The Flames also held all-time Big South rushing leader Miguel Maysonet to 74 yards on 25 attempts, and forced the back to fumble the ball for a big time touchdown in the 4th quarter to ice the game. LB Nick Sigmon had a career day, leading the Flames defense and getting an INT return for a touchdown. The win gave Liberty it’s first ever win over a top 10 opponent, and kept the team’s hope for a trip to the FCS playoffs alive. This was an emotional win, and truly gives the Flames something substantial to build on for the 2013 season.
Week 11 vs. VMI (33-14 Win)
The Flames needed a win in Lexington to secure a share of their 5th Big South title in 6 years, and they got it with a 33-14 win over VMI. The Keydets were able to keep this one close throughout most of the game, however Liberty was able to pull away in the 4th quarter and finish the season winning 6 of their last 7 games. The Flames finish Turner Gill’s first season 6-5, their 7th consecutive season with a winning record. Despite securing a three-way tie for the Big South title, the automatic bid for the FCS playoffs would go to Coastal Carolina for most road wins in conference play. This leaves the Flames once again, one win short of the FCS playoffs for perhaps the 5th straight season.
Despite missing the playoffs, this season has to be viewed as a moderate success. The squad came into the season with a new coaching staff, new systems on offense and defense, and a ton of new starters in key roles. Redshirt Freshman Josh Woodrum emerged as a team leader, giving the Flames stability at the most important position on the field heading into next season. After a challenging start, the Flames finished well minus a rough game in terrible conditions against Coastal. The possibilities for next season look strong, as Liberty and Coastal will likely fight it out for the Big South title after Stony Brook exits the league for the CAA.
Be sure to check back soon as we preview the 2013 edition of Liberty Flames Football.
