Tomorrow the Flames will be taking on a struggling Kentucky Wesleyan squad in a somewhat lackluster matchup. The Panthers are still searching for their first win of the season after an 0-3 start by the hands of Kentucky State, Lindsey Wilson, and Lindenwood-Belleville. They are currently transitioning from the Great Lakes Valley Conference to a newly formed conference that is more regionally convenient. Chances are, this Kentucky Wesleyan squad will be overwhelmed as they try to contend with the Flames in Williams Stadium this weekend.
The Panthers have had extreme problems stopping opposing offenses this season, allowing over 43 points and 500 yards per game. There is no real leadership on the defensive side of the ball, and the Panthers rarely force turnovers. The Flames should have no problems driving up and down the field.
Brent Holsclaw is in his 11th season at KWC and is the longest tenured head coach in its history. You can bet the former Panther standout will be doing everything he can to get his team prepared for the Flames.
The Kentucky Wesleyan offense is a bit more respectable than the defense. Led by Devin Le’Gall (100 yards rushing per game and 7.1 ypc), and Jeff Ward (246 all purpose yards per game), they will be trying to find some holes in the Liberty defense. Look for Brent Holsclaw to try and ride his weapons as much as possible.
It would not be surprising if KWC finds some success early against a defense that looked spotty against Richmond and will be left without Jacob Hagen for the first half. The Panther’s ability to move the ball will depend on how the Liberty defense bounces back from the tough loss against Richmond. If the Flames come into the game with the right mindset, they should have no problem shutting down Kentucky Wesleyan.
Last season, Division II opponent, Concord played the Flames tough, in a 21-13 Liberty victory. On Tuesday Gabe Henderson told me about how this game is going to be similar, “just like Concord, we know they are going to give us their best shot.” Turner Gill has also presented Concord as an example of why the Flames cannot take Kentucky Wesleyan lightly. It is still to be seen whether the players will actually heed coach Gill’s advice.
Prediction: Quite a few Liberty players had mentioned that the Richmond game was especially marked on their calendars. After a tough loss to the Spiders, this game has a sort of anti-climactic feel to it and may translate into a slow start for the Flames. I don’t see it taking long for them to get back on track against a weak Panther team. Kentucky Wesleyan will ultimately be overwhelmed by far superior talent, and a crowd unlike anything they are used to.
This will be a blowout, the Flames will probably have a say in how bad it is:
LU-44
KWC-7
“It is still to be seen whether the players will actually hinder coach Gill’s advice.”
“heed”, not “hinder”.
Good call, updated!