On Wednesday, Liberty linebacker Anthony Butler, defensive tackle Elijah James, offensive lineman Tristan Schultz, and wide receiver DJ Stubbs took questions from the media. There was a wide range questions and below is ASOR’s report from the player interviews…
A DIFFERENT KIND OF SENIOR DAY
Friday’s game against UMass marks Liberty’s annual senior day, but this year that will be much different. There will be very few, if any, fans allowed in the game and most allowed will be friends and family of the team. Also, because of the COVID pandemic, the NCAA has granted all student-athletes the ability to retain their season of eligibility from the 2020 season. So, several of the seniors honored on Friday will be able to come back and compete with the Flames again next senior.
“This Senior Day is a little bit different because me, myself, I will be coming back (next year),” Elijah James said.
In addition to James, kicker Alex Barbir has also stated he is planning to come back next season while defensive tackle Ralfs Rusins said earlier in the year that he was considering it depending on how this season went.
Fellow senior wide receiver DJ Stubbs says he’s looking forward to seeing some of his family. “Since week two or three my mom has been pestering me about getting extra tickets for the rest of the family to come.”
COMING OFF FIRST LOSS
Liberty saw its 10-game win streak come to an end against NC State on Saturday night, and now the Flames are moving forward for the first time in a year coming off a loss.
“It was a tough loss, but we can’t worry about that game,” said Schultz. “We have to focus on UMass.”
“We’re getting our energy back up,” James said. “We were down a little bit at first, but we’re starting to pick it back up.”
Stubbs had similar feelings. “We’re all locked in and ready to get this taste out of our mouth and get back on a winning streak.”
One of the team leaders, linebacker Anthony Butler is hoping to push his team forward to finishing the season strong.
“We know we could have done some things differently to win that game,” he said. “We lost the game, but it’s on to the next week for us. We’re just worried with this week and trying to put forth our best efforts and get a win on (Friday).”
THANKFUL DURING THANKSGIVING
It is Thanksgiving week and keeping with the theme of the week, the players were asked what they are thankful for this season.
Tristan Schultz: “I’m just thankful for my teammates. I’m thankful for my family. I’m thankful for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
DJ Stubbs: “I’m thankful that we were able to play this year. Yeah, we had some people go down with COVID, but it was nothing major how other teams had to cancel games, things like that. Looking back at the beginning of the season, not knowing if we would be able to play or not, just being able to play all of our games and not have to worry about getting games canceled and things like that. I’m really thankful that we were able to accomplish all the things we got to accomplish. I’m thankful to be around the guys that I’m around in the locker room.”
Anthony Butler: “What I’m most thankful for is my family. Knowing that I have that support system no matter what, win, lose, or draw. Football, whenever that ends for me, I’m still going to be able to lean on my family and people that love me and cherish me the most, will always be there for me. That’s something I’m thankful for, my football family and my family at home.”
