We’re going to have to have our head on a swivel for our stud watch today as the LU football team is chock full of senior talent. It’s rare that a team has the stars align in the way that they have for Liberty in 2015, especially at the skill positions. Here are a few things to take notice of going into the first contest of the season:
First off, Liberty is featuring a 4-year starter at quarterback and a #1 WR who has been the feature wideout for two years prior to this year. Oh, and by the way, if you happen to shut the #1 guy down, we have another senior wideout in Dante Shells who is waiting to blow up (I don’t care what the depth chart says, when Dante is fully recovered from his injury, it will be him ripping off huge yardages when Petey is doubled).
So at least teams will be able to key in on the passing attack right? Make their base defense the nickel? Not so fast, for the first time in I don’t know how long (seriously the first time in a long time, maybe first time ever), Liberty is featuring two FORMER First Team All Big South tailbacks. Des Rice and D.J. Abnar look like a two headed monster that no one will be able to stop.
I’m not even going to hit on Legatron (John Lunsford), who is one of the best kickers in all of FCS and FBS division 1 football and has already re-written most of the Big South’s kicking records, and Chima Uzowihe who is only 5 sacks away from the Big South career record.
Essentially, at the end of this season, the record books will be completely re-written.
Peterson is less than 500 yards away from the Big South career receiving record, target October 10 against Gardner-Webb as the game he could break that record. He also came just nine yards away from the Big South single season record last year, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he is able to get it this season.
Woodrum is on pace to break the Big South career passing yards record on November 7th against Presbyterian, and is just four touchdowns off the Big South record for rushing touchdowns by a QB. Woodrum’s biggest competition will be Coastal Carolina’s Alex Ross who is also on pace to break the Big South career passing yards record and actually leads Woodrum by one rushing touchdown. Those records will likely come down to a photo finish.
With this much talent and this much experience, the biggest inhibitor for these guys is the fact that there is only one ball on the field. It will be tough for the Flames to use their arsenal of weapons at the same rate as they were able to last year, but even so, expect a huge year for the Flames on the field and in the record books. We’ll continue to keep you updated as many of these guys edge ever closer to making history.
Dante´ Shells is a Junior