#21 Liberty (8-0) takes on NC State (5-3) this Saturday in Raleigh, North Carolina. This will be the second ever meeting between the two programs, but the first since the Flames moved up to the FBS ranks in 2018. Many are calling this the biggest game in school history for the Flames, as under Hugh Freeze the program continues to make tremendous strides as a program.
During his weekly press conference, Freeze called the Wolfpack the toughest opponent his team has faced so far this season. Here’s a look at the position matchups ahead of Saturday evening’s game.
Quarterback
Most of Liberty’s success this season has come thanks to former Auburn quarterback Malik Willis. In seven games this season, Willis has completed 67.8% of his passes for 1,645 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 1 interception. He also leads the team with 700 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns. Nobody has been able to contain Malik, much less stop him, as he is making a push to be included as a dark-horse Heisman Trophy candidate.
Bailey Hockman, who began his career at Florida State, threw for a career-high 265 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Wolfpack to a win over his former team last week. He transferred out of Tallahassee after losing out on the starting job in training camp in 2018. Hockman started two games last year before finishing the season as a backup to Devin Leary. He’s been back in the starting lineup the last three games after Leary broke his left leg in a win over Duke on Oct. 17. He’s completed 63.6% of his passes this season for 1,044 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions.
Edge: Liberty
Wide receiver/tight end
There’s no Antonio Gandy-Golden for the Flames at receiver this season, but Willis has relied on a bevy of receiving targets this season. The Flames have been banged up at the position much of the season, but appear to be close to full strength entering this week’s game. DJ Stubbs leads the group with 30 receptions for 399 yards and 3 touchdowns, while the deep unit has also seen big contributions at times from Demario Douglas, Kevin Shaa, CJ Yarbrough, and Johnny Huntley. Liberty has six receivers with at least 143 receiving yards but none that have eclipsed the 400 yard mark through the team’s first eight games.
Similar to Liberty, the Wolfpack also have a deep group of receiving options as seven players have at least 13 receptions on the season. Senior Emeka Emezie leads the way with 31 receptions for 515 yards and 4 touchdowns. Devin Carter is another weapon NC State has that Freeze highlighted this week. He’s third on the team with 18 receptions for 290 yards and 2 touchdowns. Tight end Cary Angeline provides a big target for Hockman and he’s caught 18 passes for 279 yards and 6 touchdowns so far this season.
Edge: NC State
Running back
Joshua Mack leads three talented running backs for Liberty. As mentioned, Malik Willis leads the team with 700 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns, but the Flames also have a talented group of backs. Mack has 534 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns this season. He began the year with three consecutive 100-yard rushing games before hitting a mid-season lull. Peytton Pickett provides a big body that is used in many short yardage situations. Shedro Louis broke onto the scene during Liberty’s win at Syracuse. The smaller back is one of the fastest players on the team. His 7.9 yards per carry leads the team.
The Wolfpack are led by Zonovan Knight and Ricky Person at running back. This combo has split their carries and production fairly evenly on the season. Knight has 545 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns on 99 carries while Person has 432 yards and 3 touchdowns on 95 carries.
Edge: Even
Offensive line
Liberty’s offensive line has been one of the bright spots of the team. Under second year offensive line coach Sam Gregg, the Flames’ offensive line unit helps lead the 12th best rushing attack in the nation, averaging 254.5 yards on the ground so far this season. This unit has allowed 17 sacks on the season.
The Wolfpack have had some injuries at their offensive line this season, but they have experience at center with Grant Gibson, left tackle with Ikem Ekwonu, and right tackle with Justin Witt and Bryson Speas, who have both started double digit games in their career at the position. NC State has allowed 18 sacks and they are averaging 133.8 rushing yards per game, with those stats coming against an all-ACC schedule.
Edge: Even
Defensive line
Liberty’s defensive line has created havoc in the pass rush segment. On third and longs, teams have been unable to stop the talented pass rushers on the Flames’ defensive front led by Durrell Johnson and TreShaun Clark. That combo has combined for 17.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, and 7 quarterback hurries. Ralfs Rusins and Elijah James provide a strong presence on the interior of the line in one of Liberty’s most improved position group.
NC State’s defense has 24 sacks, led by defensive ends Daniel Joseph and Terrell Dawkins who have combined for 13.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. The Wolfpack play with three down linemen most of the time, and nose guard Alim McNeill anchors the line. Hugh Freeze says McNeill is the best defensive player Liberty has faced this season.
Edge: NC State
Linebackers
Anthony Butler has been the biggest surprise for the Flames on defense so far this season. He leads the team with 51 tackles on the season after transferring in from Charlotte prior to spring practice. Alongside Aaron Pierre, Liberty’s perceived team weakness entering the season has turned out to be a strong part of the defense, despite lacking much depth.
NC State’s defense is obviously designed to let the linebackers rack up the tackles, as is typically the case with three men fronts. Three of the Wolfpack’s top four leading tacklers through the team’s first eight games are linebackers. Payton Wilson leads the team in tackles, despite only playing 7 games, with 75. He also has 6.5 TFLs. Isaiah Moore is second on the team with 61 tackles while adding 7.5 tackles for loss. Drake Thomas rounds out the talented group of backers with 49 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss this season.
Edge: NC State
Secondary
The Flames’ secondary has been one of its strengths on defense, holding opponents to just 173.8 yards passing per game, which ranks No. 9 nationally. Safety Javon Scruggs is the defense’s emotional leader and team captain. He’s second on the team with 44 tackles and also has one interception and one forced fumble. JUCO transfers Juawan Treadwell and Marcus Haskins have added additional playmakers, while the Flames are also strengthened by FBS transfers Cedric Stone (Georgia State) and Tim Kidd-Glass (NC State). Chris Megginson is developing into a very solid corner while Emanuel Dabney adds another strong presence at corner on the other side of the field.
There have been only two seniors in the playing rotation in the secondary this season for the Wolfpack. Starting in the secondary on numerous occasions have been several underclassmen. Team captain and junior Tanner Ingle is expected to play this week as he has battled a hamstring injury much of the season. He was the team’s second leading tackler in 2019, and with him on the field, State’s defense is much better than they’ve shown without him. The Wolfpack are surrendering 278 passing yards per game this season.
Edge: Liberty
Special Teams
Alex Barbir is much improved over the past couple of weeks. Of course, we all know about his game-winning 51-yard field goal at Virginia Tech with one second left, and he also had a new career-high with a 54-yard field goal last week against Western Carolina. He’s also improved in kickoffs, with an increasing percentage of his kickoffs resulting in touchbacks. Aidan Alves provides a solid weapon for the Flames at punter as well, while Demario Douglas and Shedro Louis have each proven their ability in the punt and kick return game, respectively.
Kicker Christopher Dunn is 51 of 59 on his field goals with a long of 53 during his time at NC State. Punter Trenton Gill was named a 2020 second-team preseason All-American by Walter Camp and he is NC State’s career leader in punt average with a 46.6 mark. Last season, he set the Wolfpack single-season mark with a 47.6 yards per punt average.
Edge: NC State
Coaching
As long as Hugh Freeze is roaming the sidelines for Liberty, it will be very unlikely the Flames will ever be out-coached in a game. Freeze is one of the best in college football at game planning and management, offensive play calling, and motivation.
Edge: Liberty
Overall
NC State may have a higher ranked team in terms of recruiting class rankings with far move three and four star rated recruits than the Flames have, but Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze and his staff have gotten the absolute most out of his team this season. The Flames will show up in Raleigh on Saturday expecting to win the game.
