Here are a few notables from today’s press conference with Turner Gill, Robert Wimberly, and Joe Dailey as they prepare to open conference play Saturday at Kennesaw State:
1. CARRINGTON & JACKSON ARE NO LONGER LIBERTY STUDENTS.
As we’ve mentioned, Kyle Carrington and Cam Jackson were suspended indefinitely by Coach Gill early in the football season. Today, Coach Gill announced they are no longer on the football team. “Cameron Jackson and Kyle Carrington are no longer students. So, thus, they are ineligible to be on the football team.”
2. KSU’s OFFENSE LEADS THE BIG SOUTH IN ALL MAJOR CATEGORIES.
The Owls lead the conference in scoring offense, total offense, total average yards per play, offensive touchdowns, rushing offense, 3rd down conversions, and 4th down conversions. They’ve scored at least 36 points in 4 straight games. As a spread option team, they’ve been much more productive in passing the ball this season. Kennesaw State leads the Big South in passing efficiency, and they have increased their passing yards by nearly 50 yards per game from last year.
“They are definitely (better this year) throwing the ball. They have 2 very dynamic receivers,” Wimberly said. “That kind of makes it a little more unsettling because they are very good passing the ball. To sit here and say they are a true option team, they have the ability to do what Jacksonville did as far as opening it up. They can line up like a normal offense would and be successful. The Kennesaw State offense is doing a great job in becoming more diverse and not just being labeled an option team.”
Chris Turner may be called upon to stop Sumpter
3. JUSTIN SUMPTER MAY BE THE BEST WR IN THE BIG SOUTH.
The 6’3″, redshirt-sophomore Justin Sumpter leads the Big South and ranks 7th in all of FCS with 117 receiving yards per game and 6 receiving touchdowns. The Flames’ coaching staff had a lot of good things to say about Sumpter.
“They throw it up quite a bit, usually 3 or 4 times a game, and he usually comes down with.” Coach Gill continued, “Then, he can outrun people too.”
Wimberly agreed. “What Sumpter brings is the ability to beat you 1-on-1 when they have to have a play. He’s a guy, that 1-on-1, they just throw the ball up, and he finds a way to come down with it. You see that over and over (on film).”
4. KSU’s DEFENSE IS ALSO MUCH IMPROVED.
“If I had to say one area where they are most improved, it’s been on the defensive side of the ball,” Gill said. “I think they are a complete defense.”
The Owls are 2nd in the Big South in scoring defense, holding opponents to 21.8 points per game. They rank 1st in total defense and 1st in rushing defense. KSU is holding its opponents to 94.2 rushing yards per game, which ranks 10th in the country. “When you stop the run, that always gives you a chance to have success on defense,” Gill said.
Desmond Johnson and and Tonarius Portress are 2 of the top 3 defenders in the conference in tackles for a loss (the other being Liberty’s Juwan Wells). Gill says the Owls’ defense has the ability to create havoc by creating turnovers and getting into opposing teams’ backfields with tackles for loss and sacks.
Calvert is Liberty’s starting QB moving forward
5. “WE HAVE NOW FINALIZED OUR QUARTERBACK POSITION.”
Those words don’t come as a surprise from Coach Gill, but they should be comforting to Flames Fans everywhere. Buckshot Calvert is the starting quarterback. There is no longer an “OR” beside his name on the depth chart. He is the guy.
“He’s a talented young man and everything’s going to come to fruition if he just does what he’s supposed to do as a quarterback,” Gill said of his quarterback. “Go out and lead. Continue to communicate well. Don’t do more than what you think you need to do. Just play the game like you know how to play it and you will give us a chance to be successful.”
Gill doesn’t think Calvert making his first road start will be a problem. “Every snap he’s been able to take, whether its home or away, has been advantageous for him. He’s played in away games, Virginia tech, SMU. Now, it’s just playing football. Going out and representing his team well and honoring God in everything he does. And use his talent. He has some talent, now he just needs to go out and do it in his own way.”
6. LIBERTY AND KSU ARE THE TOP 2 TEAMS IN THE BIG SOUTH IN TURNOVER MARGIN.
The Owls lead the way at +6, while the Flames are +4 in turnover margin. Liberty and KSU also lead the conference in takeaways, the Flames are first with 15 while Kennesaw has 12. Coach Gill put emphasis on winning the turnover battle, as he always does, but he was more emphatic about it this week.
“(We) must win the turnover margin. We’ve got to take care of the football. We’ve got to continue, on defense, to cause turnovers. We’ve got to win the turnover margin.”
7. INJURY REPORT.
Offensive lineman Ernst Anderson had to have another surgery on his knee, and he’s out for the season. Starting left tackle Tanner Hartman is out. Starting guard Ethan Crawford is also out. Tight end Will Johnson continues to be out with a lower body injury. Jeremy Peters and Todd Macon are both probable while Malik Matthews is questionable.
