Here are a few notables from today’s press conference with Turner Gill, Robert Wimberly, and Joe Dailey as they prepare for this weekend’s Big South game against Gardner-Webb:
1. FLAMES MUST FIND A WAY TO CONTAIN TYRELL MAXWELL.
Maxwell, photo courtesy GWUsports.com
Gardner-Webb’s quarterback leads the Big South in total offense and is 3rd in rushing. The dual-threat QB slashed the Flames a season ago for 278 total yards and 4 touchdowns in the Runnin’ Bulldogs upset win over Liberty. Finding a way to slow Maxwell down is of priority.
“Maxwell, he’s #1 in total offense,” Gill said. “You say #1 in total offense in our conference, we do have some very good football players, and he’s leading the conference, right now after 8 ball games, in total offense. He’s also leading the conference in passing yards per completion. #14 in the country in that area.”
“Maxwell has really improved from when I first went against him in 2014 to this season,” Wimberly said. “He’s definitely leading that team.”
Gill says the most important thing to stopping Maxwell is his player’s eyes. “If our guys don’t have our eyes in the right spot, then he’s going to exploit our defense. He’s shown that. I think he’s really improved this year, particularly in his reads, particularly in being able to throw the ball. That’s probably the biggest thing, he’s improved in his accuracy. That makes him even more dangerous to do the things that he’s been able to do. So, we’ve got to make sure we play with our eyes and get our eyes in the right spot the way our coaches have been telling our players.”
2. KHALIL LEWIS 2ND IN CONFERENCE IN RUSHING.
Maxwell isn’t the only rusher Gardner-Webb has that the Flames must be concerned about. Running back Khalil Lewis is the conference’s 2nd leading rusher, averaging over 100 rushing yards per game.
“They also have a running back, Khalil Lewis, he’s #1 in the nation in touchdowns.” Gill continued, “So, it’s just amazing how they have so many good people and good stats not only from a conference standpoint, but also nationally. (Lewis is) #4 in the nation in rushing yards, almost has 1,000 yards, 800+ yards rushing. He averages over 100 yards a game.”
The addition of Lewis’ ability has helped the Runnin’ Bulldogs improve as an offense. “You can’t just solely key on Maxwell,” Gill said, “because (Lewis) can run too and make a lot of good plays.”
3. CHAD GETER LEADS THE BIG SOUTH IN TACKLES.
Gardner-Webb’s senior linebacker leads the Big South in tackles. “They have outstanding linebackers,” Gill said. “Chad Geter has been a very, very good football player there for a long time. He’s a senior, and he’s averaging about 11 tackles a game. He’s number 11 in the country in total tackles.”
The Flames hope to continue to use a balanced attack, rushing and passing, to offset Geter and Gardner-Webb’s defense.
4. GWU LEADS THE BIG SOUTH IN SCORING DEFENSE.
Gardner-Webb is holding its opponents to 23 points per game; however, this number is a bit misleading. The Runnin’ Bulldogs have 3 very good defensive performances, holding Elon, Presbyterian, and Division II Benedict to a combined 9 points. They’ve also allowed 47 (Kennesaw State), 44 (Western Carolina), 37 (Ohio), and 31 (the Citadel).
Coach Gill and Coach Dailey both spoke about Gardner-Webb’s defense and how it has improved since last year despite having a new defensive coordinator. “They are a veteran group,” Dailey said. “They’ve played a lot of football, particularly their outside linebackers. They are very disciplined on defense. They do a really good job of adhering to the fundamental techniques they are coached. Week in, week out you can see they are really disciplined.”
5. BUCKSHOT IS LEARNING MORE OF THE OFFENSE EACH WEEK.
Coming in as a true freshman, Liberty’s coaching staff has brought Buckshot Calvert along slowly. He got one series against Virginia Tech, and it has grown incrementally since then. Now, he’s coming off consecutive 300+ yard passing performances, has been named National Freshman of the Week, and has now been named to a National Freshman of the Year watch list.
“I think he’s done a really good job of incrementally taking everything we’ve put on his plate, so to speak, and digesting it,” Dailey said. “Each week we’ve piled on just a little bit more. He has phenomenal retention. Every once in a while there’s a hiccup, but he’s a quick learner. He’ll make one mistake, and then he’ll never make the same mistake again.”
6. LIBERTY IS FOCUSING ON SELF-IMPROVEMENT.
“We’re right now trying to work on our football team,” Gill said. “We’re trying to get better than we were yesterday. We’re trying to get better than we were last week, and that’s all we’re focused on.”
Wimberly echoed those statements. “Its going to be about us. That’s what I challenged our young men about. We’ve got to get back to staying locked in…It’s not so much about our opponent, it’s about our guys staying locked in.”
Liberty was a big favorite last week against Monmouth, they are again this week against Gardner-Webb, and they will be next week at Presbyterian. If the team can focus on improving themselves, they can stay on target for winning the Big South championship and advancing to the playoffs. Last year, the Flames overlooked a couple of opponents, and got tripped up, including the game against Gardner-Webb.
7. INJURY REPORT.
Offensive lineman Ethan Crawford is probable, offensive lineman Tanner Hartman and cornerback Malik Matthews are out. Damian King is questionable.
