After a seemingly long bye week, it is finally Coastal week! To get our preview started, here’s a look at the Liberty vs Coastal series history.
Liberty and Coastal have met on the gridiron every year since Coastal got their program started back in 2003. The series is currently tied at 5, and the teams have alternated wins during their last 4 meetings. Each team is 4-1 at home. Either Coastal or Liberty has gone on to win the conference championship in 8 of the past 9 seasons.
November 15, 2003: Liberty 38 Coastal 21
Liberty scored 31 points in the 2nd half to knockoff the Chanticleers 38-21 in the programs’ first ever meeting. The Flames were paced by Eugene Goodman and Sam Gado who both rushed for over 100 yards on the day. Goodman finished with 190 yards rushing.
October 23, 2004: Coastal 33 Liberty 6
The Chanticleers scored the first 33 points of the game prior to Sam Gado’s 97 yard kickoff return for touchdown as Coastal won 33-6. Coastal was paced by Mike Tolbert’s 107 rushing yards and 1 touchdown on just 10 carries. Liberty was held to just 143 total yards and had 3 interceptions.
October 22, 2005: Coastal 27 Liberty 21 (3OT)
14th ranked Coastal was able to outlast the Flames as they picked up their first and only win in Lynchburg. Coastal was led by quarterback Tyler Thigpen who threw for 241 yards and 1 touchdown. Quarterback Brock Farrel led the Flames in passing and rushing combining for 310 yards and 3 touchdowns on the afternoon.
Zach Terrell’s 100 yard rushing game wasn’t enough for the Flames
October 28, 2006: Coastal 28 Liberty 26
The upstart Flames led by 1st year head coach Danny Rocco was unable to pull off the upset as they fell to the Chanticleers 28-26. Coastal scored 21 of their points in the 4th quarter as they overcame a 13-7 deficit early in the period. Tyler Thigpen led the Chants with 257 yards passing and 2 touchdowns while receiver Jerome Simpson had 145 yards receiving and 1 touchdown. The Flames were paced by Zach Terrell’s 114 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns.
November 3, 2007: Liberty 37 Coastal 24
Liberty stops their 3 game losing streak to the Chanticleers as they rolled up over 500 yards of total offense en route to a 37-24 victory at Williams Stadium. The Flames jumped out to a 17-0 first half lead and never looked back. Rashad Jennings rushed for 172 yards and 3 touchdowns in the win. Jerome Simpson’s 2 touchdown receptions was not enough for the Chanticleers.
Jennings rushed for nearly 200 yards in the Flames’ win on the beach
October 4, 2008: Liberty 43 Coastal 38
The Flames picked up their first and only win at Coastal 43-38 behind 292 team rushing yards. Liberty was again paced by running back Rashad Jennings who carried the ball 35 times for 195 yards and 1 touchdown. He also added 2 receiving touchdowns on the evening. Quarterback Zach MacDowall threw for 382 yards and 2 touchdowns for the Chanticleers in the loss.
October 17, 2009: Liberty 58 Coastal 13
Liberty won their 3rd consecutive game against the Chanticleers in impressive fashion, 58-13. The Flames led by as much as 52 points on the afternoon and racked up nearly 600 total offensive yards. Liberty was led by freshman running back Aldreakis Allen who rushed for 106 yards and 3 touchdowns on 20 carries. The Flames’ defense shut down Coastal’s offense who only totaled 175 yards of offense.
November 13, 2010: Coastal 45 Liberty 31
Coastal Carolina upset the 11th ranked Flames 45-31. Coastal and Liberty would eventually end in a 3-way tie with Stony Brook for the conference championship. Coastal won the tiebreaker to advance to the playoffs for the 2nd time in school history. The Chanticleers were paced by Zach MacDowall’s 382 yards passing and 3 touchdowns and Eric O’Neal’s 102 yards rushing and 1 touchdown. Liberty wide receiver Chris Summers finished the day with 7 receptions for 127 yards and 1 touchdown.
Mike Brown led the Flames to a blowout victory in 2011
October 15, 2011: Liberty 63 Coastal 27
Liberty scored on their first seven drives of the game as they jumped out to a 42-0 first half lead en route to a 63-27 victory on homecoming. Quarterback Mike Brown led the Flames with 218 yards passing and 2 touchdowns and another 61 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns. Coastal’s Aramis Hillary finished the game 18/27 passing for 207 yards and 2 touchdowns. 2011 is the only year since 2004 that neither Coastal or Liberty would claim the conference championship.
October 27, 2012: Coastal 36 Liberty 12
Coastal and Liberty continue their seesaw relationship, this time with the Chanticleers getting the upper hand 36-12. On a windy and rainy day from the remaining effects of Hurricane Sandy, Coastal was able to outgain the Flames on the ground 226-86 led by Jeremy Height’s 99 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Quarterback Aramis Hillary added 113 passing yards to go along with his 87 rushing yards. The Flames were led by wide receiver Pat Kelly’s 16 receptions for 122 yards and 1 touchdowns. Kelly’s 16 receptions are school record.
