The Liberty Flames lost their first game of the season, falling to #5 Jacksonville State, 31-10. Liberty is now 3-1 on the season and fell from #16 in the STATS FCS Top 25 poll to #22.
GAME BALLS
Solomon McGinty: After missing the Indiana State game, McGinty had a strong outing against Jacksonville State as he finished with 6 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and an acrobatic interception. On the interception, he was able to jump up and deflect the ball with one hand, and then caught the ball with one hand as he dove to the ground.
Antonio Gandy-Golden: While the offense struggled throughout the evening, Gandy-Golden had another impressive stat line, finishing with 7 receptions for 126 yards. AGG has at least 100 yards receiving in 3 of the 4 games this season, including two straight.
RANKING THE TOP PLAYS FROM THE GAME
- There weren’t many, but Buckshot did connect with B.J. Farrow for a 65 yard touchdown midway through the 3rd quarter. It brought the Flames within two touchdowns, and gave the team a glimmer of hope.
WHAT IT MEANS
This was the team’s biggest remaining test on the schedule, as the Flames should be favored to win each of their remaining games. For the 2nd consecutive season, Liberty was unable to match up with one of the best FCS programs of the past decade. In the 4 game season history, Jacksonville State has now outscored the Flames by a combined score of 185-42.
The Flames’ rushing attack was non-existent all evening, finishing the game with a measly 1.1 yards per carry. Liberty actually had a negative net rushing yard mark until the 4th quarter.
While allowing 31 points is nothing to brag about, the defense did admirable. They held Roc Thomas, JSU’s do-everything back, to less than 100 yards rushing. With the exception of an 80 yard touchdown pass early in the 2nd quarter, the Flames kept Jacksonville State’s offense in check most of the evening.
LOOKING AHEAD
Any dreams of an undefeated season are now dashed, but that doesn’t mean the season is over. The Flames still have a chance to finish with a program tying 10 wins if it is able to win out. Liberty has only won 9 or more games in one season on 4 previous occasions, a mark that is certainly within reach.
On Saturday, the team returns to the friendly confines of Williams Stadium where it will play host to Saint Francis. Liberty is 2-0 all-time against the Red Flash, winning 68-10 in 2007 and 52-7 in 2010. This isn’t the same Saint Francis team that Liberty faced in the previous meetings though. The Red Flash are 2-1 this season, with their lone loss coming by 2 points at the hands of CAA member Towson on September 16th. Under 8th year head coach Chris Villarrial, Saint Francis advanced to the FCS playoffs in 2016 after winning the NEC. The Red Flash are coming off consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 1991-1992.
BY THE NUMBERS
1.1 | The Flames rushed for just 31 yards on 27 carries, good for 1.1 yards per carry.
316 | Liberty was held to 316 yards of total offense, the first time this season the high-powered offense was held under 500 yards.
6-65 | Coach Gill and the Flames continue to struggle with penalties, being called for a violation 6 times for 65 yards against the Gamecocks.
