WE’RE TALKING ABOUT PRACTICE
One of the big takeaways from last week’s game at Middle Tennessee, was the team’s poor week of practice leading up to the game. The coaches talked about it after the game and head coach Jamey Chadwell has also mentioned it.
The team’s focus at practice this week will be a big emphasis, and the energy level should be ramped up a good bit as the team heads to Bowling Green to take on the CUSA preseason favorite Western Kentucky.
“The main thing is what’s the attitude we’re going to come out with? I think our guys are starting to realize that we do play how we practice,” said Chadwell. “We got away with one, what I mean by that is we didn’t practice as well and it showed up in the way we started the game and the points we gave up and some of the sloppiness we had. We’re not a team where you can roll the ball out and say we’re just better than people. That’s not who we are. We’ve got to have a chip on our shoulder. We always assume that people are better than us. We’ve got to practice that way. Each week we are getting closer to understanding that, but we were very close to touching that hot stove too and learning it the hard way.”
FLAMES PLAYING WELL ON ROAD
Liberty is 7-0 and has, obviously, picked up wins both home and away this season. But, after the last two home games where the Flames came away with closer than expected victories against Sam Houston and Middle Tennessee, it has become apparent that the team has played some of their best football so far this season on the road.
Look back at the Buffalo game, where the team went for over 50 points and the offense was clicking on all cylinders. It carried over in Miami against FIU where the Flames probably played one of their most complete games from start to finish. The last road trip, at Jacksonville State was also a very good performance for this team. The Flames hope to keep that trend alive this week at Western Kentucky.
“When you go to the road it’s you and your group,” said Chadwell. “70 something we travel with and there’s not a ton of fans coming with you and the opponent is all against you. Anytime you go into enemy territory, there is something specially unique about it. We get to bring our identity in who we are there. I love going on the road and going in and being able to come out with a big victory. There is nothing better than that. I think our guys enjoy that, enjoy the time together when we are on the road and when we travel and all those things. Our expectation is that we will play well in somebody else’s place.”
INJURY REPORT
Liberty starting corner Amarian Williams has now missed two straight games and his status is unknown for Tuesday night at Western Kentucky. In his absence, as well as Joshua Wiggins who was injured a few weeks ago and will miss much of the season, the Flames have been short-handed at corner. Preston Hodge moved over to safety last week against Middle Tennessee and will likely get some reps there again this week.
Chris Boti, who filled in as a starter on the defensive line while Charles was out the first three weeks, missed the FIU Sam Houston, and Jax State games with an illness. He returned against Middle Tennessee last week, but only played a few snaps. Expect his role to continue to increase each week as he gets back in game shape.
EJ Smoot has quietly been dealing with an injury the past couple of games. He has been in uniform and even played briefly, but his snaps have been greatly reduced, and he wasn’t in pads by the end of the MTSU game.
