Following an explosive 52-43 victory over New Mexico, Liberty is set to return back to the Southwest for a matchup against New Mexico State.
Chasing last week’s six-hour roundtrip flight with another flight of a nearly identical distance will be a challenge for the Flames. The effects of fatigue, compounded by New Mexico’s high elevation and scorching heat could give the underdog Aggies more of a fighting chance against Turner Gill’s squad.
“We must be mentally tough,” Gill said in a Tuesday, Oct. 2 press conference. “Because of the trip, another 3.5 hour flight, per se, going into another high elevation . . . guys are a little bit banged up.”
“This is gonna be a true, true test of our mental toughness so therefore we can be physically tough, and be able to be physically where we can play our best football.”
It may be just as important for the Flames to demonstrate physical resilience as well as mental resilience. Liberty will be without receiver Damian King for the next four weeks, and cornerback Kimani Donaldson is doubtful for this weekend’s contest. Running back Kentory Matthews is questionable, while Fidel Ogbeifun and Jeremy Peters are both probable.
Quarterback Stephen Calvert missed time in the second half last week, but according to Gill, will be ready to go against the Aggies.
Only time will tell if last week’s trip to Albuquerque will help or hurt Liberty’s health and performance in Las Cruces.
“I think we as coaches have a better understanding and maybe we did not do a very good job of getting our players to do what they were supposed to do (last week),” Gill said. “I’m hoping that our guys will respond to this in a better way this time around.”
“This time period here. New Mexico State. what’s concerning about it is obvious, being able to travel 3 1/2 hours in back-to-back weeks is the most concern that I’ve had, the most challenging for me as a head coach that I’ve been exposed to in my career. I guess we will find out how I have my team respond in this scenario.”
