SUMMARY: Liberty 21 vs Syracuse 24

Last season few eyes were on the Flames as they went into an empty Syracuse stadium and stunned the Orange with what Syracuse analysts termed, “an embarrassing defeat.” Friday, the tale couldn’t have been more different with Liberty playing in the Carrier Dome with fans (which included several NFL scouts) on the Friday time slot to maximize viewership. However, viewership wasn’t the only difference in this one from last year’s matchup, as Liberty faced a revitalized Syracuse team (starting a brand new QB) who staved off a valiant second-half comeback attempt to get the big revenge win at home. Liberty saw several “tendencies” that have at times limited the Flames this season, combine to create a barrier that became too much to surmount with a win this time. This article will analyze those tendencies as we break down the three phases of this Flames team.

Liberty Football vs. Syracuse University at Carrier Dome on September 24, 2021.

OFFENSE: B-

Let’s take the worst for first. Liberty’s O-line play has been subpar at best this season and Friday that was on full display (especially in the first half) as Liberty struggled to run the ball consistently and more detrimentally, failed to protect Willis who was sacked 6 times and pressured often in the pocket. Liberty showed flashes of what could be when adequate time was found for Willis to go to the second or third progression or when the RBs could get through the first line of defense, but those sparks failed to ignite into a flame of consistency as Liberty saw 8 drives stall out short of the endzone. 

Perhaps most glaring from the O-line struggles was the lack of success in the run game. Liberty only saw 99 yards by running backs in this one, 30 of which came on one break-out run by Shedro Louis. Wary perhaps of last season’s outing where Liberty managed to put up 300+ yards on them, the Orange sold out to stop the run and it worked perfectly. Coincidentally the wholesale pressure also impacted the passing game with receivers often open but Willis unable to find them. Louis’ 59 yards lead the Flames Friday but paled in comparison to his last stats against the ‘Cuse where he broke out for 170 yards and two TDs. 

Willis, to his credit, did almost everything he could to win this one for the Flames. In front of as many as 20 NFL team scouts in attendance, Willis looked poised and methodical after some initial first-quarter struggles. He was 14/19 for 205 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no interceptions. The one area Willis struggled in, surprisingly, was the QB scramble as the ‘Cuse manage to contain Willis when forced to escape the pressure. Liberty managed to counter with several designed run plays that worked well, but Willis only managed 49 yards rushing Friday (the fewest this season) and also did not record a score on the ground for the first time this year. Contain Willis’ ability to scramble and the main element that makes this offense so difficult to defend against is taken away. NC State discovered that last year and it appears Syracuse was taking notes. 

However, the biggest error by Willis wasn’t his inability to break contain or even to punch it in on an absolutely vital fourth and goal, his biggest mistake was to attempt to force a pass when the pressure was in his face and nobody was open vs just taking the sack. This is the “tendency” for Malik that contributed to defeat. Willis is a superstar athlete and superstar athletes tend to think they can do it all every play. Willis has already struggled with this tendency this season, taking multiple unnecessary sacks from holding the ball too long, and has gotten lucky a few times throwing into coverage just to throw the ball. Liberty owed its comeback and the fact it was even in the game late almost entirely to Malik Willis, but his decision to try and throw the ball with pressure in his face resulted in the forced fumble and certainly cost Liberty the game. The play hurt not just because of the eventual loss but also because it marred what was otherwise a fantastic performance by number 7.

Liberty Football vs. Syracuse University at Carrier Dome on September 24, 2021.

DEFENSE: B+

Liberty’s D-line had been a real strength of the team this year, but Friday saw the D-line exposed for the first time as Syracuse became the first opponent to rush for over 100 yards against the Flames and then doubled that number. The ‘Cuse lead back, Sean Tucker, managed 169 yards on the ground against the Flames as the Orange handed the ball off play after play to a back who seemed unstoppable for much of the game. The surprise rushing success by Syracuse severely hurt the Flames as all 3 TDs for the ‘Cuse came on the ground. The ground game success by Syracuse not only churned up the yards but also the clock, allowing Syracuse to lead the time of possession battle with 31:21 total time of possession.

However, despite the struggles against the ground game, Liberty’s defense did manage an effective bend but don’t break style of play with Syracuse scoreless on 8 of their 12 drives. A big part of this was that occasionally Syracuse decided to pass and Liberty’s secondary stood firm, reversing a negative “tendency” through the first 3 games. Syracuse QB Garrett Shrader only managed to complete 40% of his passes against the Flames in his first start and was held to 77 yards through the air. While he may have proved a weapon in the ground game (53 yards and two TDs rushing), Liberty’s secondary should be praised for a job well done in taking away the pass option from Shrader and the Syracuse offense. 

Liberty Football vs. Syracuse University at Carrier Dome on September 24, 2021.

SPECIAL TEAMS: C-

The return game was average, the return coverage was adequate, and true freshman Max Morgan performed admirably in place of the injured Aiden Alves (avg 44 yards per punt and long of 53), so why the C-? The C- grade is deserved because one of the main reasons Liberty lost the game was the inconsistencies (or negative “tendencies”) in the kicking game. Barbir so far this season is 1-4 (all under 50 yards) and also has a missed PAT. While coach Freeze might not say it outright, his tendency to go for it on fourth down inside of field goal range throughout the season clearly demonstrates a lack of trust in the kicking game. Barbir’s miss from 36 therefore, didn’t just take a chance for 3 off the board (Liberty lost by 3) it also potentially influenced Freeze’s decision to go for the touchdown on fourth and goal vs trust the kick to Barbir’s uncertain leg.  

Liberty Football vs. Syracuse University at Carrier Dome on September 24, 2021.

SPECIAL CATEGORY, HUGH FREEZE FOURTH QUARTER: D-

I created this special category to discuss a few items that need to be addressed that don’t fully fit into the regular categories. Let me start by saying that Hugh Freeze is one of the greatest coaching minds in college football. He has found success wherever he has gone, is the only active coach who can say they beat Alabama twice in a row in the regular season, and Liberty is truly blessed that he has decided for the time being to call Lynchburg his home. It is the fact that Hugh Freeze is such a great coach that makes his performance in crunch time Friday so baffling.

 Hugh Freeze made the decision to trust the best player on the field, Malik Willis, to get the TD for him vs risking a kick that was by no means guaranteed (no matter how close Liberty was) and I don’t have an issue with that. What is an issue is the fact that Freeze, with all his brilliance and innovation, decided to call a QB power option to the short side of the field, the exact same play that had come up short on third down. It was a terrible decision that gambled on Syracuse being caught unaware and gave no opportunity for Willis to score if the ‘Cuse were in any way prepared.

The second major error by Freeze in the crucial minutes of the fourth was to call his second time out with 2:30+ on the clock and Syracuse with a third and inches lined up that Liberty had almost no chance of stopping them from converting. Syracuse picked up the third easily and then was free to run the clock out the rest of the way while Liberty looked on helplessly from the sideline.

The final mind-boggling decision by Freeze was to keep his last time out in his pocket and let Syracuse run the play clock all the way down with the plan being to ice one of the best kickers in the ACC on a short-range kick. Liberty could have gotten the ball back with 15 or so seconds, called 1 or 2 short plays with that last time out as insurance if tackled in bounds, and then thrown a hail-mary for the endzone. Not the best odds but better than attempting to ice a great kicker who is perfect on his career from 30-39 (kick was from 35). 

HOW DID LIBERTY FULFILL MY KEYS TO THE GAME?

1. FORCE SYRACUSE TO PASS: F

I talked in my preview that Syracuse was winning games on the ground and that trend continued Friday with 3 TDs and 200+ yards in what was, for the most part, a highly effective running game. It wasn’t that Liberty wasn’t trying with a variety of blitz packages, but Syracuse was determined to run the ball and just ended up winning out (although the Flames did hold Syracuse to 4.3 yards per carry compared to 5.5 they came in with). 

2. SECONDARY HAS TO STEP UP: A

Liberty allowed a few open receivers to sneak by and got lucky on a few overthrows (including the first Syracuse play from scrimmage where Shrader missed a wide-open receiver deep for what would have been a TD) but overall the secondary played well and were a key reason that the offense even had a chance for the comeback.

3. MACK ATTACK COME BACK: F

Joshua Mack only had 4 carries for 10 yards and in a surprise move after last year’s performance seems to have been supplanted by incomer TJ Green and the speedster Louis. I still think getting Mack back on track would greatly improve this offense, but that resurgence (if it does come) will have to wait. 

SUMMARY

One game does not define a season and one season does not define a team. After last year’s incredible 10-1 finish, I think a lot of fans (myself included) thought that Liberty had “arrived” which was likely lofty expectations after only 3 seasons in the FBS and the first 10+ win year for the Flames. Patience is required and there is still much development and growth that needs to take place on this Flames squad before they take their place as one of the top teams in the Group of 5 if not college football itself. 

However, this game does not necessarily define Liberty’s season either. This is not the same Syracuse of last season or even 2019. This ‘Cuse team is greatly improved and the 3-1 Orange certainly looks like they can get bowl eligible this season if not more. This can still be a very special year for the Flames, and there are plenty of opportunities to impress down the road (starting next week with 3-1 UAB). This loss could be just what Liberty needs to get itself back on track and motivate them to be the team that many thought they could be coming into the season. Next week, as far as Hugh Freeze is concerned, Liberty is 0-0 and that’s the mindset Flames Nation should have as well.

Written by Mr. Exclamation Point

*all photos courtesy Liberty Athletics