Strong and fast starts
Liberty has gotten off to very fast starts in each of their first two games this season, jumping out to a 6-0 first quarter lead over Baylor and 24-0 first quarter lead against Morehead State. The Flames have yet to allow their opponent to score in the first quarter this season, and owns a 62-27 first half margin over its opponents.
Meanwhile, Indiana State has struggled in the first half this year, being outscored 44-7 in the first 30 minutes of game action. The Sycamores trailed Eastern Illinois, 16-7, at intermission, and were outscored by Tennessee, 28-0, in the first half.
3-0 on the mind
The Flames are seeking their first 3-0 start since 2008, when Liberty went on to win a program-record 10 games. Liberty started the 2008 season 6-0 before finishing the year at 10-2. The Flames have started a season 3-0 on 6 previous occasions, accomplishing the feat in 1975, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1997, and, the aforementioned, 2008.
Flames’ have plenty of depth at RB
Through 2 games, Liberty has had 2 different running backs rush for over 100 yards in a game, Carrington Mosley and Kentory Matthews. Frankie Hickson has also proved he is a capable running back as a redshirt-freshman in 2016 when he rushed for over 400 yards including a 100 yard rushing game. Later in the season, Todd Macon, who has 3 career 100 yard games, should also return to the running back stable.
Matthews exploded onto the scene against Morehead State, when he rushed for 103 yards and 2 touchdowns on 13 carries. He will continue to see a role in each game, and the coaching staff has put together specific packages for Matthews to be able to utilize his speed.
“We have plenty of good backs, and we’re going to use them all,” Coach Gill said. “We’ve got different game plans for each game and how many to use. It’s a great thing to have because you never know how many bumps and bruises and injuries may come about.”
Indiana State likes to use shifts and motions on offense
Under new head coach Curt Mallory and offensive coordinator Jeff Hecklinski, the Sycamores have gone to a run centric offense that uses a lot of shifts and motions to get the defense off-kilter.
“They do a lot of things that cause you to think,” Gill said. “They do a lot of shifts, they do a lot of motions, they do a lot of different types of formation sets, they do a lot of different personnel groupings. We’ve got some work cut out on what they’re doing offensively. It’s going to be different than what we’ve seen since I’ve been here at Liberty.”
“It seems like they motion even from the cheerleading section with all the movements that they do,” Liberty defensive coordinator Robert Wimberly said. “It’s amazing how they’re able to do that at a high level.”
Running backs LeMonte Booker and Jaquan Keys are typically both on the field at the same time as they use the jet sweep and inside zone run which could be handed to either back.
“They may motion one way and you may think that running back is getting the ball, but then they come back with the other running back,” Wimberly explained. “They can do inside and outside. It’s a great scheme they have in place. Those 2 running backs complement each other very well. We can’t go for all the facade because if we take one step the wrong way, it’s going to be a long night. Even against Tennessee you saw a couple pictures where the linebacker took a step to his left because he read wrong and it led to an explosive run.”
Injury update
Cornerback Malik Matthews, who missed the Morehead State game, is listed as probable this week. Lucas Irons, who also sat out the Morehead State game, is listed as questionable. Todd Macon, who is eyeing a late September or early October return, did warm up and dress with the team last weekend as he continues to make progress from a knee injury he suffered in the spring.
Notable quotes.
Turner Gill on B.J. Farrow’s eligibility issue that caused him to miss the Baylor game – “Issue is resolved, over and done with.”
Robert Wimberly on Indiana State – “The team is going to be very physical, very physical team. We know we have to do a great job against the run. Hopefully we’re able to build some momentum with our guys trusting what we’re teaching as far as fitting the gaps, trusting your eyes. We have to make sure we tackle. This team is going to come in, they’ve played 2 very good teams in Eastern Illinois and the University of Tennessee. You watch the Tennessee film you will realize how physically they held their own. They did not get knocked around.”
Joe Dailey on Indiana State – “Their record may be 0-2, but we have a lot of respect for these guys. They are good ball coaches. They have these guys playing really hard. So, it’s going to be a very unique challenge.”
My prediction:
Liberty 41, Indiana State 24
