The Liberty Flames (3-0) are back at Williams Stadium for the final game of the current three game homestand as the Flames tangle with Louisiana-Monroe (0-4). Kickoff is scheduled for Noon inside Williams Stadium and will be televised on ESPN2. For the third straight game, Liberty is facing an opponent for the first time ever.

The Warhawks have opened with losses at Army (37-7) and three straight at home to Texas State (38-17), UTEP (31-6), and Georgia Southern (35-30). They’ve fallen behind by multiple scores in each of their first four games as they have been forced to play catch up.

This past Saturday against Georgia Southern offered some hope for ULM fans, as they came within inches of winning the game. Quarterback Colby Suits dove for the goalline as time expired and, after a lengthy review, was ruled to have come up just shy of the end zone.

“Their back is against the wall and they’re going to come in here with that mentality,” Liberty defensive coordinator said of ULM. “In my opinion, watching them on film, they are not an 0-fer football team. That game came down to the one inch line.”

In the weeks leading up to the season, the Warhawks dealt with more than their fair share of calamity. In late August, ULM had to suspend all football-related activity following a coronavirus outbreak within the program that led to at least nine positive cases. In the midst of that, Hurricane Laura ravaged several parishes across Northeastern Louisiana, with damage even occurring on campus and among the school’s athletic facilities. Head coach Matt Viator had to replace a defensive coordinator just days before their season opening game at Army, promoting the linebackers coach to that role.

“They’ve had some unfortunate things happen throughout the course of the season, but I do think they are a really good football team,” Symons continued.

It all starts with their quarterback. In his first season starting, Suits has completed 63.4% of his 153 pass attempts for 1,043 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. He currently ranks 5th nationally in passing yards.

“Their quarterback is by far the best quarterback that we’ve seen,” Symons said. “We really haven’t played a great quarterback that could distribute the ball consistently when his first option wasn’t available. (Suits) is an equal opportunity employer. He’s going to get it to whoever’s open. He does a good job reading coverages, has a big arm, and also has the ability to run the ball.”

The Warhawks have 10 different receivers who have at least 6 receptions this season, 7 of whom have at least 75 receiving yards. 5th year tight end Josh Pederson leads the way with 16 receptions for 174 yards.

“The tight end is the best we’ve faced,” Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze said. “That kid is the real deal both blocking and receiving.”

Receiver Jahquan Bloomfield is 2nd on the team with 173 receiving yards and also has a touchdown.

“Number 17 is a guy that can run,” said Symons. “He’s a sub 22 200 meter guy. They’ve got some explosive playmakers.”

Freeze is concerned about the threat the ULM passing attack poses.

“It concerns me very, very much,” he said. “This is our first real test of our secondary, I think. This guy is top 5 in the nation, right now, in passing yards. Their receivers are as good as any we’ve faced.”

On defense, the story hasn’t been quite as positive for Louisiana-Monroe. The Warhawks are allowing 436.8 yards per game and 282.8 yards rushing, which is 3rd worst in the country among all FBS teams who have played in 2020.

The Flames have the 6th best rushing offense in the country behind Joshua Mack who has surpassed the 100 yard rushing mark in each of the team’s first three games as he ranks 7th nationally among all rushers. Expect Liberty to try to establish the run behind Mack and quarterback Malik Willis.

NOTABLES

  • Liberty’s home win streak now stands at 7 while its overall win streak is now 5, both dating back to last season.
  • The Flames are 4-1 all-time against Sun Belt opponents.
  • ULM will be the first team from Louisiana to ever play at Williams Stadium and the Flames have never defeated a team from the state. LU is 0-1 all time against teams from Louisiana, following to the team from Lafayette last season, 35-14.
  • Liberty’s last loss came on Nov. 23, 2019, the same date ULM last won a game.
  • The Flames are looking to move to 4-0 for the first time since 2008 and the 5th 4-0 start in program history.

QUOTABLES

HC Hugh Freeze – “The quarterback, he distributed the ball all over the field last week. It will be a great challenge for our secondary.”

DC Scott Symons – “They distribute the ball really well. They’ve gotten behind early in some games, it’s caused them to throw the ball. They’re going to try to come in and establish the run, like every good offense does, and be a little bit of a balanced attack.”

DC Scott Symons on true freshman DE Stephen Sings – “Steve’s a young man that I’m really, really proud. I’m proud of the way he prepares. He’s a great lesson for some of these other freshmen that maybe they’ve only played 5,7 snaps and it’s easy to get frustrated, but maybe it’s (Quinton) Reese this week that’s got to play 45 snaps for us and step up and make plays for us. That’s what great teams do, it’s not about one guy.”

PREDICTION

Liberty 35, Louisiana-Monroe 20

With Malik Willis expected to be back behind center, the Liberty offense should return to the form we saw in the first two weeks. Provided the red zone issues have worked themselves, the Flames should be able to score points. The Warhawks have the ability to move the ball through the air, though they will try to establish the run game early.