UNA-LU Coaches are not strangers

Current Liberty assistant coaches Sam Gregg, Scott Symons, Josh Aldridge, and Rickey Hunley all coached against UNA during their time on staff at West Georgia. The Flames’ coaches went 2-2 against North Alabama from 2014-17 with the home team winning each meeting.

Additionally, UNA receivers coach Colb Ellis was a grad assistant at West Goergia in 2015 and offensive line coach Zach Lisko was an offensive lineman for Hugh Freeze at Arkansas State in 2010. This is the third straight week Freeze has faced a former player on the other sideline.

“These were huge games for us,” Liberty DC Scott Symons said of the West Georgia-North Alabama rivalry. “We had some great games. There’s some personal sentiment there just because we’ve had some great matchups over the years.”

Lewis finds playing time at DT

After spending his first two seasons primarily at defensive end, Austin Lewis got a number of snaps at defensive tackle, even making the start there, this past Saturday against FIU. Lewis has been on a considerable amount of weight during the offseason as he’s up to approximately 270 pounds.

“I said early in the year that I thought he could be the Swiss Army Knife for us,” Liberty DL coach Josh Aldridge said of Lewis. “I think you will see him play both (DT and DE). We’re really talented at that end spot. Finding ways where we can get the most good players on the field at a time, that’s what we did this week. He will play both, he could play both this week. Austin’s a real smart kid that’s played a lot of football already. It was good seeing him play. He did fairly well at three-technique, he only had one bust, I think. You will see him play both.”

Freshmen DL showing well early

Through the first two games of the season, true freshmen defensive ends Aakil Washington and Stephen Sings have seen some snaps on the field. Washington played in the opener at Western Kentucky while Sings played this past weekend against Florida International.

“Steve Sings got to play in his first game this weekend and did really well,” Aldridge said. “If I graded effort out of all the guys who played, he by far graded the highest. You go back and watch that touchdown, he chased the guy all the way to the goal line, 70 yards down the field. So, it means something to him.”

“Steve graded out, I think, 89% this weekend. That’s pretty good for your first game. Aakil was around that same deal against Western Kentucky. For them, the ability is there. There is no evaluation there in terms of the ability. It’s just learning what we want them to do. When you have so many guys who are solid athletically, there are only so many reps to go around.””

True freshman defensive tackle Kendy Charles is also expected to see the field soon, maybe as soon as this weekend.

“Kendy Charles is a guy who’s role is about to get bigger as well,” Aldridge said. “I know you haven’t seen hi in a game yet, but behind the scenes him and Will Green are getting a lot better, every single day. I think you will see both of them as well.”

Injury update

As previously reported, it sounds like Malik Willis is good to go this weekend following his left elbow injury suffered in last week’s game against Florida International.

Additionally, wide receiver Jaivian Lofton has an ankle injury, but Freeze says he will try to give it a go on Saturday. Wide receiver Noah Frith is out after suffering a hamstring injury in the 4th quarter against FIU. Offensive lineman Bryce Mathews is questionable for Saturday’s game.

Wide receiver CJ Yarbrough has been battling injuries all during training camp and now into the start of the season. He played in the first half of the opener at Western Kentucky but did not play last week against FIU. He should be a full go this weekend.

“Really pleased with him,” Freeze said of the young receiver. “He makes us a different team too when he’s in there. Hopefully he feels good, he looks good, anxious to see him play.”