MATCHUP OF TOP QUARTERBACKS
For the second straight game, Liberty will take on a team who has a very accomplished quarterback. After playing against one of the top quarterbacks in the country in Matt Corral and Ole Miss a couple weeks ago, the Flames will go up against Louisiana quarterback Levi Lewis. Saturday’s matchup not only features two of the top Group of Five teams in the country, but also two of the best dual threat quarterbacks in college football.
The 4th year starter, Levi Lewis, who is a super senior and in his 5th season at Louisiana, has over 8,300 career passing yards and has nearly reached 1,000 career rushing yards with a total of 81 touchdowns. This season, he has completed 175 of 283 passes for 2,108 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. He’s also rushed 68 times for 210 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Playing a quarterback similar to Malik Willis, Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze is able to help game plan with Liberty defensive coordinator Scott Symons this week.
“I know a few things about what we try to do offensively with guys like Levi and Malik and others,” Freeze said. “We kinda compare our thoughts. I think I can tell him what gives us problems and kinda tell him what we’re thinking on this side and they try to come up with a solution. Then, we’re able to kinda replicate that some with Kaidon Salter and others we can use to simulate what we’re going to face on Saturday. They are very difficult because they do a great job formationally also, a lot of shifts, a lot of motions, a lot of different looks, different pictures. They force you to be somewhat simplistic. Ultimately, we’re going to have to fit the right gaps and tackle well in space to defend somebody like this.”
MATCHUP OF TOP G5 COACHES
At this time of the year, the college football coaching carousel heats up. If you search for the top candidates of any reputable Power Five job opening this year and in recent seasons, two names seam to always rise to the surface – Hugh Freeze and Billy Napier. Freeze and Napier are two of the more recognizable names as head coaches of non-Power Five programs, and they are mentioned in tandem for nearly every job opening in the country at the P5 level, particularly in the Southeast.
After playing his college football as quarterback for Furman, Napier bounced around at several FBS stops as an assistant coach including Clemson and Alabama before taking over as head coach at Louisiana. In his fourth season with the Ragin’ Cajuns, Napier has a 37-12 overall record and 26-5 mark in the Sun Belt. He has led his team to the West Division Championship in the Sun Belt each season and needs just one more win this season to reach the 10-win plateau for the third consecutive season.
“I think he’s one of the best guys in the business,” Freeze said of Napier. “He cares about more than just the kids on the field and the wins and the losses. He’s a man of faith and principal. I kinda like his demeanor. I’ve always had a high opinion and regard for Billy. Obviously, the job he’s done has been pretty special there. There are players all throughout that state and he knows that and he’s done a heck of a job getting and retaining great staffs. It shows that they have the complete picture there, completed with players and coaches and a vision. He’s leading that charge. He’s done it really well.”
OLINE HOPING FOR IMPROVEMENT
Liberty’s offensive line surrendered nine sacks against Ole Miss on Nov. 6 and has given up six sacks in games against Syracuse and North Texas. The Flames allowed 50 sacks in Freeze’s first two seasons at the helm with a single-game high of eight surrendered in his debut against Syracuse. This year, Liberty has allowed 38 sacks through 10 games and rank 126th out of 130 teams by surrendering 3.8 sacks per game. The Ragin’ Cajuns average 2.5 sacks per game and will be looking to increase that number this week.
“I probably spent more time with them than ever before last week,” Freeze said of the offensive line. “Just trying to figure out ways to give them a chance. This group, it’s not only their DLine is talented, but their linebackers and secondary also. They are a complete team and they will bring pressure from both boundary and field. We’ve got to protect him. The games we have, we’ve had a good chance to win. We typically don’t turn it over when we protect him well. That’s a big, big key to us competing in this game.”
INJURY UPDATE
Following the bye week, Liberty is hoping to be as healthy as it has been all season. Durrell Johnson, John Kourtis, Khristian Zachary, Jerome Jackson, and Johnathan Bennett all returned to the active roster against Ole Miss before the open date. With two additional weeks to heal and recover, they should all continue to trend in a positive direction.
“I think we will be as healthy as we can be,” Freeze said. “There are still those you have lost for the year that won’t be back, but the ones that can try to play, certainly the last week off will help them be in a better situation to do so.”
Freeze was also asked about defensive end Durrell Johnson as he returned to the playing field against Ole Miss after missing several weeks with a meniscus injury.
“He played solid,” Freeze said of Johnson. “You could tell he’s not 100%, but he played solid. Hopefully this week off and another week this week to get back in game shape will help him.”
