We have taken a look back at the 2013 season in our Season in Review: Part 1 and Part 2 features. Today, we begin to look ahead to the 2014 season. Over the next week or so, we will take an in-depth look at what the 2014 football season could hold for the Liberty Flames. We begin with the offense.
Quarterback
#6 Josh Woodrum 6’3″ 210 lbs R-Jr – started 12 games, 198-307 for 2,581 yards, 19 TDs, 7 INTs
#18 Javan Shashaty 6’1″ 165 lbs R-So – played 12 games, 15-17 for 205 yards, 1 TD
#3 Stephon Masha 6’1″ 195 lbs R-Fr – redshirted
#12 Bo Swanson 6’6″ 210 lbs R-Fr – redshirted
Woodrum will look to continue to improve during his Junior season
Coming in to the 2013 season, Woodrum was the unquestioned starter. With a few bumps along the way, Josh finished with a good enough season to make 2nd-team all-conference. Going into his 3rd season as starter, Woodrum will be counted on to be the leader of the team. He also has a full compliment of receivers back, unlike entering the 2013 season, so Liberty’s passing game should pick up where it left off heading into 2014.
The backup quarterback position will again be one to watch. Will Shashaty be able to hold off Masha as Josh’s backup? Whoever ends up winning the #2 job, needs to also be able to push Josh during the offseason so Woodrum will develop to his full capability.
Running back
#26 Des Rice 5’8″ 195 lbs Sr – started 11 games, 967 yards, 16 touchdowns
#2 D.J. Abnar 5’10” 185 lbs Jr – played 11 games, 411 yards, 6 touchdowns
#1 Clifton Richardson 6’1″ 210 lbs Sr – played 11 games, 399 yards, 6 touchdowns
#17 Kendall Couamin 6’2″ 225 lbs R-So – played 12 games, no rushing stats
#22 Todd Macon 5’10” 210 lbs R-Fr – redshirted
#29 Joshua Smith 5’6″ 175 lbs R-Fr – redshirted
#38 Austin Kaigler 5’9″ 200 lbs Jr – played 4 games, 129 yards, 3 touchdowns
#34 Carrington Mosley 5’11” 225 lbs R-Fr – redshirted
Rice is firmly entrenched as Liberty’s starting RB
The Flames have everyone returning at running back headlined by Des Rice who nearly rushed for 1,000 yards in 2013. Rice will enter the 2014 season as the unquestioned starter at tailback with proven backups in D.J. Abnar and Clifton Richardson behind him. Abnar is a terrific change of pace back and averaged a team high 5.7 yards per carry. Richardson, the transfer from UVA, had a disappointing first year with the Flames. It will be interesting to watch what develops with Clifton over the offseason. Is he committed to being possibly a 3rd-string RB at Liberty? Or will he want to finish his career elsewhere?
Todd Macon and Joshua Smith, who redshirted during their first season on campus, will get a shot at potential playing time as well.
Wide Receiver
#13 Darrin Peterson 6’2″ 190 lbs Jr – played 12 games, 58 receptions, 825 yards, 7 TDs
#10 Gabe Henderson 5’11” 195 lbs R-Sr – played 12 games, 47 receptions, 641 yards, 3 TDSs
#8 Dante Shells 6’1″ 175 lbs R-Jr – played 12 games, 29 receptions, 432 yards, 1 TD
#7 Jaquan Glover 5’10” 190 lbs R-Sr – played 10 games, 9 receptions, 112 yards
#11 Damarcus Faison 6’4″ 190 lbs R-So – did not play due to injury
#84 Ryan McCarter 6’2″ 165 lbs R-So – did not play due to injury
#83 Justin Fritts 6’2″ 195 lbs R-Fr – redshirted
Zac Parker 5’10” 170 lbs Fr – greyshirted
#16 Dakota Kelly 5’11” 170 lbs R-Fr – redshirted
#80 Malaki Roy 5’10” 185 lbs R-Fr – redshirted
#88 Isaac Brown 6’3″ 180 lbs R-Fr – redshirted
Darrin Peterson has emerged as an all-conference receiver
What a difference a year makes. A season ago, FlamesNation wondered who would step up at receiver following the departures of several key members of the receiving corp including Pat Kelly. Both Darrin Peterson and Gabe Henderson stepped up as being go-to, dependable receivers for quarterback Josh Woodrum. Peterson gives the Flames a deep threat, while Henderson blossomed in 2013 in the slot. Shells provided a solid 3rd option finishing with 29 receptions on the season. Who will step forward in the next group to find time in the 4 and 5 receiver sets?
Tight End/Fullback
TE: #42 Dexter Herman 6’2″ 235 lbs Sr – played 12 games, 5 receptions, 78 yards, 2 TDs
TE: #86 Michael Johnson 6’3″ 235 lbs Sr – played 8 games, 1 reception, 28 yards, 1 TD
TE: #89 Canon Smith 6’4″ 255 lbs R-So – no stats accumulated
TE: #81 Garrett Long 6’4″ 235 lbs Sr – no stats accumulated
TE: #38 Tyler Meeks 6’3″ 210 lbs R-Fr – redshirted
FB: #41 Nicky Fualaau 6’0″ 220 lbs Jr – played 10 games, 5 receptions, 46 yards, 1 TD
FB: #36 Thomas Kennedy 5’11” 230 lbs R-Fr – redshirted
Can Michael Johnson help fill Apon’s void?
The biggest hole to be replaced on the offensive side of the ball for the Flames, is tight end Brandon Apon. Apon compiled 225 yards receiving and 4 touchdowns. While these numbers don’t sound overly impressive, the coaching staff rarely targeted the tight end. Herman and Johnson both showed well during the stretch run of the season. Herman had 3 receptions for 42 yards and 1 touchdown in the season finale against Charleston Southern and scored his 2nd touchdown in the prior game against Brevard.
Offensive Line
#56 Greg Ray 6’3″ 310 lbs Sr – started 11 games at Center
#63 Jonathan Burgess 6’2″ 300 lbs Jr – started 9 games at Left Guard
#72 Max Sommer 6’6″ 290 lbs R-Jr – started 1 game at Right Tackle
#73 Mitch Hanson 6’5″ 300 lbs Sr – started 11 games at Right Tackle, 1 at Left Tackle
#79 Aharown Campbell 6’4″ 320 lbs R-So – started 9 games at Right Guard
#74 Ethan Callison 6’5″ 315 lbs R-So – started 1 game at Left Guard
#65 Grant Jones 6’4″ 305 lbs R-Jr – started 1 game at Center
#75 Cody Gochenouer 6’4″ 275 lbs Sr – no stats accumulated
#51 Jesse Karnezis 6’2″ 260 lbs R-Fr – redshirted
#61 Andrew Kingsbury 6’3″ 275 lbs R-Fr – redshirted
#62 Avery Easton 6’2″ 275 lbs R-Fr – redshirted
#67 Michael Henderman 6’3″ 310 lbs R-Fr – redshirted
#68 Kris Wilson 6’4″ 310 lbs R-Fr – redshirted
#69 Dylan Brucki 6’5″ 295 lbs R-Fr – redshirted
#70 Lucas Holder 6’5″ 270 lbs R-Fr – redshirted
#78 Blanchard Sanwouo 6’6″ 260 lbs R-Fr – redshirted
#56 Greg Ray heads an experienced offensive line
The Flames return 7 lineman who started at least 1 game, and 4 who started at least 9. Seniors Greg Ray and Mitch Hanson will lead this experienced group of lineman into 2014. Which of the 8 true freshmen who redshirted in 2013 will be able to make the 2-deep in 2014? And who will fill the void at left tackle left by Hunter Steward’s departure.
Summary
The Flames had a very productive 2013 season where they averaged 37.2 points and over 420 yards of total offense per game. Liberty should be able to pick up where they left off in 2013 as they return 9 of 11 starters on offense and should be the strength of the team in 2014.
