Before every game Liberty plays this season, we contact an authority on Liberty’s opponent for a question-and-answer session. This week, we reached out to Billy Liggett, a 15-year veteran of the newspaper industry and the current Director of University Communications and Marketing for Campbell University. Here’s what Billy had to say about the 2021 Fighting Camels football team:
ASOR: Campbell went 0-4 in a COVID-shortened 2020, but played four very good FBS teams (Georgia Southern, Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, and Wake Forest). With the exception of Liberty, Campbell plays an all-FCS schedule this season. What do you expect to see from the Camels this year?
Billy Liggett: Campbell’s decision to play a shortened all-FBS season in 2020 (against four teams that made it to bowl games) is being thought of as a huge stepping point for the now 13-year-old program that only started playing scholarship football in 2019. They took New Orleans Bowl champion Georgia Southern down to the final play (a failed two-point conversion in a 1-point loss), and they were at least competitive against Appalachian State and Coastal Carolina, both solid programs. A ton of confidence was earned last year. That said, they’re expecting a winning season in 2021, and the hope here is a first-ever appearance in the FCS playoffs.
ASOR: Do you think Campbell’s 2020 schedule has helped prepare them to open 2021 against Liberty in any way?
BL: A few years ago, this would have been a guaranteed blowout. Campbell cut its teeth in the first 10 years playing against other non-scholarship FCS programs and non-conference Division II and III schools. What 2020 showed them is that they can hang with a nationally ranked school. They can move the ball on a Power 5 team. If it did anything, it showed them they have a fighting chance in Week 1 this year. I think they enjoy coming in as a heavy underdog.
ASOR: Who are some impact players for Campbell on both sides of the ball?
BL: On offense, quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams (a junior) is first-team All Big South, and he’s a legitimate dual threat. He was a first-team FCS Freshman All American in 2019, and against the four FBS schools in 2020, he put up good numbers. He and tight end Julian Hill are Campbell’s lone pre-season all-conference representatives. On defense, cornerback Darion Slade is returning for his redshirt senior season after flirting with the idea of entering the 2021 NFL Draft. He’is the program’s only first-team pre-season All Conference player this year, and could become the first Camel taken in the draft next spring.
ASOR: Campbell re-launched its football program in 2008 after a 58-year hiatus. How pleased have you been with Campbell football since it’s reemerged?
BL: It’s been fun to watch the program rise from losing its first game in 2008 to a Division III program to getting its first wins against FCS scholarship programs in 2019. Not only will they take on nationally ranked Liberty in this year’s opener, they’ve got games lined up against East Carolina in 2022, UNC in 2023, NC State in 2025 and 2028, and Florida in 2026. Regardless of the outcomes, these will be huge moments for this school, and something few ever dreamed of back in 2008.
ASOR: What’s your prediction for the game?
BL: My first prediction (and the worry for some) is Liberty cancels for pandemic-related reasons. If the game moves forward, I think Campbell plays them tough and serves notice to some of the favorites in its conference (Monmouth, Kennesaw State) that they’re going to compete this year.
