Team needs to play a full 60 minutes
One consistent theme the coaching staff had when looking back to the North Texas game, was that the team played well for the better part of the first 3 quarters. It was the 4th quarter when the game got away.
“We didn’t play the way that we’re capable of, particularly in the 4th quarter,” Coach Gill said. “We need to turn the page.”
Gill talked about how everything they saw in film that needs to be corrected, is easily correctable.
“For 37 minutes, we played really good football,” defensive coordinator Robert Wimberly said. “We were headed in the right direction, guys had good energy, we created some stops, and then we allowed circumstances beyond our control to frustrate our unit. It’s a reflection of (our team) not staying focused. I felt very good all the way up until the 7 minute mark of the 3rd quarter. We have to block out the noise. If we want to play 60 minutes of solid football, we’ve got to stay focused.”
The Flames gave up 26 points and over 250 yards of offense in the final quarter and a half against North Texas Saturday.
Offensive coordinator Joe Dailey said 70 of the 88 offensive plays were successful. It was the remaining 18 plays where things broke down with penalties, dropped balls, and errant passes.
Travel, travel, travel
The Flames will travel over 1,700 miles to New Mexico both this week and next week as Liberty faces the Lobos and New Mexico state Aggies. Coach Gill spoke about the challenge that presents.
“It’s exciting. We have an opportunity to go on the west coast almost, to go across the country to play two road games, that’s a challenge, but it’s exciting to let the people across the country know what Liberty football is all about.”
Gill says he won’t adjust the schedule much this week until Sunday as he will allow the team to come in a little bit later than normal, and practice will be very light Sunday.
Jimmy Faulks to redshirt
Junior cornerback Jimmy Faulks will redshirt this season, Coach Gill announced. Faulks saw playing time in 20 games during his first two seasons on campus, including 6 starts in 2017.
“Coach Gill came and spoke to me and (cornerbacks) coach (Marshall) Roberts,” Wimberly said. “(Gill) and Jimmy had a good conversation, for me, Coach Gill, and Jimmy, (we) felt like it was best he got red-shirted and I’m perfectly fine with that.”
Injury report
Starting running back Kentory Matthews, who was injured against North Texas, is questionable with a lower body injury. Gill said Matthews will be checked again on Thursday to seee what he is able to do, but there is no structural damage.
Tight end Fidel Ogbeifun is questionable and defensive back Kimani Donaldson is probable, both are suffering from lower body injuries.
No video coverage this weekend
Just a heads up for planning purposes this weekend, there will be no television or video stream of Saturday’s game at New Mexico.
