Injury report
Coach Gill only reported two injuries this week – Wesley Scott who is questionable and Javon Majors who is probable for the game against Gardner-Webb on Saturday.
Adjustments to improve run game
The Flames rushed for 229 yards against Georgia State last Saturday after combining for 251 rushing yards in its previous 3 games. So, how did the Flames improve so much in one week? Coach Gill mentioned several factors starting with the increased role for Aharown Campbell. Campbell started at left tackle in place of Max Sommer, and he played all offensive line positions with the exception of center. This allowed the rest of the linemen to stay below a snap count of 80. Other adjustments were inserting D.J. Abnar into the starting lineup over Des Rice and utilizing Todd Macon as a short yardage back. Rice still finished the game with more carries (13) than Abnar (10) even without getting the start.
Gardner-Webb notes:
- The Flames will be facing a running quarterback as Tyrell Maxwell leads the team in rushing with 72.7 yards per game. Coach Gill likened their offense to Southern Illinois’ who the Flames had a tough time stopping. Maxwell has struggled throwing the ball, unlike SIU’s Mark Iannotti. Maxwell is completing less than 50% of his passes for just 100 yards per game with as many interceptions (3) as he has touchdowns. So, he may look to run first and pass 2nd. GWU could also show some option and read option plays.
- Tight end Mike Estes was a preseason FCS All-American and he has had a successful first quarter of the season. Estes leads Gardner-Webb with 13 receptions for 147 yards and 3 touchdowns. His 3 touchdowns are the only receiving touchdowns a Runnin’ Bulldog has this season.
- Coach Gill noted that Gardner-Webb’s front 7 is as good as anyone Liberty will face in the FCS this season. The Runnin’ Bulldogs have 6 players with at least 3.5 tackles for loss led by Chad Geter’s 6 and OJ Mau’s 5.5. Mau was named the Big South’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year this season.
Lunsford and Rice receive Big South honors
John Lunsford and Des Rice were named Big South Special Teams and Offensive Player of the Week, respectively, following the Flames’ win over Georgia State. Lunsford finished the game perfect on his 5 extra points and making both of his field goal attempts including a 56-yarder. Lunsford has now made 11 field goals of 50 or more yards in his career which ties him for the most by an FCS kicker. Rice had 22 carries for 87 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Top 25 polls
Liberty jumped 3 spots to #15 in both national FCS polls this week following their win over Georgia State. Coastal Carolina remains #1 in the Coaches’ poll and #2 in the STATS poll. Montana is ranked 11 and 12 while Charleston Southern is first among those receiving votes in the Coaches’ poll.
Football commits update
- Quarterback commit Steven Calvert was hurt in his teams game last week, missing most of the game, and also missing his game this week. It sounds like he has a shoulder injury, but he is apparently only expected to miss a couple of weeks. Calvert also talked to Hero Sports recently on why he chose to commit to Liberty over his FBS offers.
- Brandon Tillmon has been selected to play in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas on December 19, 2015 at Wofford College.
Flames in the NFL update
Rashad Jennings had 9 carries for 38 yards and 2 receptions for 54 yards and 1 touchdown in the Giants’ 24-10 win over the Bills. He took a screen pass 51 yards for a score in one of the sickest runs you will see in the NFL this season. He juked one defender, high-stepped another, and put a nasty stiff arm on a 3rd to spring himself into the end zone. Walt Aikens had 1 tackle in the Dolphins’ 27-14 loss to the Jets in a game played in London. On Monday, Miami fired their head coach Joe Philbin.
MBB practice starts
The men’s basketball team started practice last Friday under new head coach Ritchie McKay. Not only are the Flames getting adjusted to a new coach and his new scheme, there are 6 newcomers to the team this season with several expected to be key contributors. Coach McKay is installing the patented pack-line defense he learned while under Tony Bennett at Virginia. We have a lot planned for this season, so stay tuned for our coverage of the men’s basketball team under new head coach Ritchie McKay!
Stephene earns job in NBA
Former Flame and McKay recruit Johnny Stephene was recently hired by the Dallas Mavericks as their ballhandling coach. So, that now makes 2 former Flames that were recruited by McKay in the NBA including Seth Curry who signed a free agent deal with the Sacramento Kings this past summer.
Academic and Performance Center
Liberty’s new 60,000 square foot Academic and Performance Center (APC) has been announced previously, but in a video update with Jeff Barber drawings have been released which brings this new building to life. Construction has already begun on the building which is behind Osbourne Stadium and the Matthes-Hopkins Track Complex near where the new Freedom Tower will be. The current plan has it on track to open in the summer of 2017. This building will feature space for academic offices, tutoring centers, study halls, an Olympic sport weight room, and sport for rehabilitation.
Other Sports update
Your weekly non-football Fall sports update:
- The men’s soccer team return to action this week with a 2-0 shutout win over High Point in North Carolina. The men return to action this weekend as they host Gardner-Webb.
- The women’s soccer team split their matches this week beating UNCA before falling to Presbyterian in Clinton. The Lady Flames are now 4-1 in Big South play this season.
- The women’s field hockey team beat Temple, 3-2, in double overtime in Philadelphia earlier this week. The Lady Flames are now 7-3 against a very formidable schedule.
- The women’s volleyball team is now on a 4-game winning streak after beating Gardner-Webb, UNCA, and VCU this week. The Lady Flames take on Campbell and High Point this weekend looking to protect their unbeaten 3-0 conference mark.
FlameFans thread of the week
This week’s FlameFans thread of the week is Georgia State Postmortem as we relive the win over the Sun Belt and FBS member and talk about what this means to Liberty as a program.
