Awards roll in for Hagen
Jacob Hagen has been receiving a new award seemingly everyday since Liberty’s football season ended. The senior safety has been named to the 2014 AP FCS All-American team for the 2nd consecutive season. He was also named to the Walter Camp Foundation All-America Team. In addition to the 2 All-American teams, Hagen finished 7th in the Buck Buchanan Award voting which recognizes the top FCS defensive player in the country. He was also named the FCS ADA Top Collegiate Defensive back by the FCS Athletics Directors Association.
Hagen led the Flames in 2014 with 108 tackles, 4 forced fumbles, a fumble return for touchdown, and 8 interceptions.
FCS playoffs update
The FCS football playoffs are down to the semifinals which will be played this weekend between Sam Houston State and North Dakota State and Illinois State and New Hampshire. Villanova, who ended Liberty’s season on December 6th, was defeated by Sam Houston State, 34-31, last Saturday. The Wildcats quarterback John Robertson missed the game due to a concussion. It was announced earlier this week that Robertson had won the Walter Payton Award which is awarded to the top FCS player. Coastal Carolina had their season in the quarterfinals by North Dakota State for the 2nd consecutive season. The Chanticleers fell to the Bison, 39-32.
LU commit Zac Foutz
Football commits
We were able to verify 2 Liberty football verbal commits this week in Ernst Anderson and Jaylyn McKinney. The Class of 2015 is now 5 deep and also includes Cameron Jones, Zac Foutz and Juwan Wells. After Christmas and New Years, we will spend a considerable amount of time on the remaining prospects left on the Flames’ recruiting board heading into national signing day.
Men’s hoops update
The Flames had 2 games earlier this week. They beat Bluefield, 79-61, in a game that was surprisingly close midway through the 2nd half. Liberty fell to UNC Wilmington on Wednesday night in overtime, 73-70. Tomasz Gielo, who was originally expected out for just a couple weeks, is now expected to be out until at least mid January. With Gielo sidelined, the Flames will need someone to step up in his scoring role. The Flames are ranked dead last in RPI according to ESPN and are #350 out of 351 Division I teams according to RealTimeRPI.com. Liberty returns to action Friday night against Central Penn.
Women’s hoops update
The Lady Flames improved to 2-0 in Big South play this season with a 56-47 win at home over Gardner-Webb. Liberty was led by 3 players in double figures led by Simone Brown’s 15 points. In their only scheduled meeting with an ACC opponent this season, LU lost to NC State, 67-64. The Wolfpack scored an old-fashioned 3-point play with just 5 seconds remaining to notch the victory. The Lady Flames now head to Minneapolis, Minnesota to compete in the Subway Classic. Liberty will play Minnesota on Saturday afternoon before matching up with the #1 team in the country in South Carolina.
Baseball signees
Liberty baseball coach Jim Toman announced the signing of 14 student-athletes during the November signing period. The list includes local products Nathan Trevillian, Derek Horton, and Evan Mitchell.
FlamesNation POY
Voting for the 2nd annual FlamesNation Player of the Year is now open! Be sure your voice is heard by casting your vote by December 21st when we narrow the top 10 to the 3 finalists. Remember, you can vote for up to 3 student-athletes in this round. Currently, the top 3 are Jacob Hagen, John Lunsford, and Josh Woodrum. Darrin Peterson and Ryan Seiz are in close pursuit of the top 3.
FlameFans thread of the week
This week’s FlameFans thread of the week is Liberty hosting a FBS Bowl game…is it possible?
