Liberty (9-4) looks to continue their hot play into the 2nd round of the FCS playoffs as they head to Philadelphia to take on Villanova (10-2). Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30pm. Villanova leads the all-time series 3-1, with the most recent meeting coming in 1994.
Why Villanova can win this game
As good as the quarterbacks Liberty faced the past 2 weeks in Alex Ross and Vad Lee were, Villanova’s John Robertson is even better. Robertson is 1 of 3 Walter Payton Award finalists (the Heisman of FCS). Coach Gill said of Robertson earlier this week, “he’s able to do things with his arms and legs and makes people around him better.” Robertson is Nova’s leading passer and rusher this season. He has thrown for over 2,600 yards with 34 touchdowns and 3 interceptions while adding 978 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns.
The Wildcats have just 2 losses on the season and those 2 losses are by a combined 2 points. Villanova lost to Syracuse in their season opener, 27-26 in double overtime, and lost to Richmond, 10-9. They are 3-1 this season against playoff teams with wins over Fordham (50-6), JMU (49-31), and Morgan State (48-28). If John Lunsford was their kicker, they may be 12-0. (More on Nova’s kicking situation below.)
Villanova has one of the better rushing defense’s in FCS football. The Wildcats rank 9th in FCS football in rushing yards allowed per game. The Nova defense is led by Don Cherry who has 112 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and 9 sacks on the season. Coach Gill said he has watched film of all 12 of Villanova’s games this season and hasn’t seen anyone able to block Cherry yet.
Why Liberty can win this game
Bleacher Report described the Flames as a “dark horse moving forward” in the FCS playoffs. The Flames are playing well, having won 2 straight against top 15 opponents. Liberty has won 4 straight road games dating back to their overtime win against Appalachian State in October. LU is 5-2 on the road the season.
The biggest weakness of the Flames’ defense this season has been their young secondary. Well, that young secondary is not so young anymore. Led by Jacob Hagen, the Flames have shut down 2 high scoring offenses in Coastal Carolina and James Madison the last 2 weeks. Neither the Chanticleers nor the Dukes were able to score in the 2nd half.
We’ve kind of coined the phrase a Season of Redemption the last couple of weeks. Entering the season all the comments made about the Liberty football program was they couldn’t win the big game, they couldn’t make the playoffs, they couldn’t win on the road, etc. Coach Gill and company have changed that perception with close, big wins over Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, and James Madison. How far will this Season of Redemption carry the Flames?
X-Factor for this game
Kicking game.
We all know how good John Lunsford has been this season with virtually unlimited range. Well, Villanova’s kicking situation has been the exact opposite. Head Coach Andy Talley describes their kicker as “just not ready for primetime.” Nova is 4 for 9 on field goal attempts this season, and have only attempted 2 field goals in their past 8 games. 3 of their 4 makes have come from inside of 25 yards. If the Wildcats get into Liberty territory and face a 4th down, they are likely to go for it. In a game that figures to be close, having a weapon in John Lunsford could prove vital to the Flames’ chances.
