Here’s a few quick hit notes following the Flames’ 31-24 loss to Charleston Southern:
- Two critical first half Liberty mistakes (turnover and blocked punt) lead to 10 first half Charleston Southern points. It’s nearly impossible to beat a top 10 opponent on the road with costly mistakes
- Turnovers. Damian King fumbles after picking up a first down on 3rd and 2. Charleston Southern would recover and take over at the Liberty 39. The Buccaneers would score a touchdown just 7 plays later to take the 1st quarter lead, 7-0. On CSU’s next possession, true freshman Jeremy Peters intercepted Austin Brown’s pass and returned it 44 yards to tie the game at 7. Then Trey Turner’s blocked punt, which was recovered at the 24-yard line, led to a Charleston Southern field goal. The Bucs fumbled deep in their own territory, and the Flames turned it into a touchdown. This all happened in the first half.
- Charleston Southern’s defense played like one of the best defenses in the country. They held the Flames to 274 total yards and just 53 rushing yards. Liberty’s lack of a rushing game has cost them all season.
- The Flames’ defense did well in the first half when the Buccaneers entered the red zone. CSU scored just 10 points on 4 possessions inside Liberty’s 20 yard line during the first half. However, in the 2nd half, Charleston Southern scored a touchdown on both of their red zone opportunities.
- Liberty’s offensive line has had issues all season, nothing’s changed. Blame it on injures, lack of depth, whatever, it’s tough to win games with a lackluster O-Line.
- The Flames lost for the first time when leading at the half. Liberty is now 5-1 this year when leading at halftime.
- CSU had season high in passing yards with 301, their previous high was 252 against Coastal Carolina.
- The Bucs controlled 3rd downs, converting 50% of their 3rd downs while holding Liberty to 3/13 on 3rd down.
- Coach Gill wanted his team to average 4 yards per rush against the stout CSU defense. Well, they only averaged 2.4, finishing with 53 rushing yards on 22 carries.
- Senior running back Des Rice got the start, but had zero touches in the first half just a week after only having 5 yards rushing. Rice finished with 4 carries for 17 yards.
- Liberty has 3 Big South losses for the first time since 2005. The Flames must beat #4 Coastal Carolina to avoid having a losing record for the first time since 2005.
Very, very poor effort today. The missed assignments in the secondary are inexcusable. Again poor OL play and play calling. As soon as Woodrum ran for the touchdown on the option play, you knew he wouldn’t pitch it for the rest of the game. Don’t remember a long pass. Woodrum would have overthrown it anyway, but it might have opened up the field a little bit. CSU will get blasted in the playoffs, they really aren’t that good, but they are obviously better than us. Would play Masha the whole game Thursday night. Let Woodrum’s next game be in the NFL. ROTFL.