The Flames won’t open summer camp for several weeks, so it’s a perfect time to start looking ahead to the teams Liberty will face during the upcoming season as they attempt to return to the FCS playoffs for the 2nd consecutive year.

We’ve already previewed the Flames’ opener, Delaware State, and now we turn our attention to the 2nd game on the calendar. Liberty faces West Virginia on September 12 in Morgantown with kickoff slated for 3pm.

West Virginia

2014 record: 7-6, 5-5 in the Big 12, lost to Texas A&M in Liberty Bowl.

Coach: Dana Holgorsen, in his 5th season.

Starters returning: Six on offense, eight on defense, two on special teams.

Offensive system: Airraid.

Defensive system: 3-3-5.

Three significant stats last year:

  1. The Mountaineers averaged 499.8 yards and 33.5 points per game. Most of their damage comes through the air as they finished 9th in all of FBS with 317 passing yards per game.
  2. Defense was #95 nationally in sacks and #63 against the run.
  3. Kicker Josh Lambert, a Lou Groza Award finalist, returns from a 2014 campaign where he made all 45 PATs and connected on 30 of 39 field goals with a long of 55.

Key starters returning:

  • Running backs Rushel Shell and Wendell Smallwood combined for nearly 2,000 total yards and 9 touchdowns in 2014.
  • Junior QB Skyler Howard started 2 games and played in 4 in 2014, finishing the season with 829 passing yards, 9 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions.
  • Nick Kwiatkoski and Karl Joseph were the top 2 tacklers last season, combining for 195 tackles and 16 tackles for loss.

How does West Virginia match up

The Mountaineers will be a heavy favorite, but they are replacing a lot on offense including the 7th overall pick in the NFL Draft in wide receiver Kevin White. If WVU’s offense is the least bit shaky, the Flames’ offense should be able to hang with them much like they did in the teams’ last meeting (2009, WVU won 33-20).