Over the course of the next 10 weeks, as we continue to preview the 2014 football season, we will be bringing you a list of 10 prominent storylines to keep an eye on for the 2014 football season. Today we start with the addition of Monmouth to the Big South.
While not a stranger to Liberty’s schedule, Monmouth will be part of the Big South this season. The Hawks are from West Long Branch, New Jersey, and hope to follow the path of Stony Brook from the northeast to a top 25 program in FCS football via the Big South. They competed in the NEC until announcing their plan to join the Big South. Last season, as an independent, the Hawks were 6-6.
Monmouth is currently in a process of increasing the total number of scholarships offered to the full FCS allotment of 63. They were at 40 scholarships last year and were expected to increase that number to 50 this year. The Hawks are also undergoing field upgrades currently as their field turf at 4,000-seat Kessler Field is currently being replaced. Their athletic department is also in the midst of fundraising for a new $15 million facility they hope to start at the conclusion of the 2014 football season.
When the Flames and Hawks meet in Williams Stadium on November 8th, it will be a rematch of 2013’s home opener where Liberty won 45-15 behind the Flames’ ball-hawking defense.
Be sure to check back next week to see what makes our list at #9 of prominent storylines for the 2014 football season.
