Fan the Flames Preview: Gardner Webb

TOmmy Beecher threw for 124 yards and a TD while the Flames defense took advantage of 8 VMI turnovers and routed the Keydets 54-14 in the final home football game of the 2009 season. The Flames ran their Big South Conference streak to 15 consecutive games, won their 47th consecutive game when scoring 30 or more points, scored 50 or more for the third straight home game and with Aaron Hewlett's 80 yard kickoff return for a TD in the first quarter registered their 4th consecutive season with at least one kickoff returned for a TD as well as holding their 5th consecutive opponent under 20 points. The Flames improve to 7-2 on the year and 4-0 in the Big South Conference while VMI ends their conference campaign at 1-5 and is 2-7 overall.

LU now heads on the road for the last two games, starting with...




#16
(7-2, 4-0)


vs.



(5-4, 2-2)







Gardner-Webb holds its senior day on Saturday and welcomes the Liberty Flames back to "the scene of the crime". The last time LU was in Boiling Springs was 2007 when they beat the Runnin Bulldogs 31-0 and won their first Big South Conference title. Liberty needs this game in order to set up a potential Big South Championship game with second year conference member Stony Brook next weekend in NY. Gardner Webb has tended to fade the latter stages of the season and they are looking like it again having lost their last two games. LU has outscored its last 4 opponents 106-35 in the second half and if the trend continues, if Gardner Webb doesnt get their offense on track they could get swept away.

LU 49
Gardner-Webb 28

Fan the Flames Preview: VMI

Before getting into this week's post I want to again remind everyone that if you want a more in depth look at Liberty Flames Football check out Chris Lang of teh Lynchburg News and Advance at his blog: http://www.mynewsadvance.com/index.php/chris_lang and you can follow him on twitter: http://twitter.com/chris_lang_blog

Now on to our regularly scheduled post:




Its been a few weeks since Ive posted so here is a rundown of the last few games:

LU exploded in the second half and ran away from the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (both figuratively AND literally) 58-13 in front of a raucous crown on Homecoming weekend in Lynchburg. Freshman RB Aldreakis Allen enjoyed a breakout game as he finished with 106 yards and a career high three TDs as LU outscored CCU 42-7 to run their homecoming win streak to 3 games and won their 46th consecutive game at home when scoring at least 30 points as well as the 12th consecutive Big South Conference game (tej loss to Presbyterian last year did not count as a conference loss). Tommy Beecher enjoyed one of his best games as a Flame going 17-22 for 216 yards but the play of the game came when Mike Brown took a reverse and hit a wide open Chris Summers for a 47 yard TD pass following one of 4 INTs thrown by CCU on the day.

LU went back on the road and headed down to Norht Charlseton, SC to face the Charleston Southern Buccaneers. LU got all they could handle as it took a Mike Brown to Will Quarles TD connection and a late stand by the defense to spur the Flames to a 20-13 win. The FLames offense which had so much success against CCU found the going a lot tougher from the Bucs as they finished with only 156 total yards of offense. The Flames did make it a baker's dozen with their 13th straight win in the Big South.

LU got back home and were out for payback as the onyl team in the conference to beat them last year (although it did not count as a conference loss as noted earlier) Presbyterian made the trip up to Williams Stadium. It was a cold and wet day in Lynchburg but the LU offense was red hot as the FLames stormed out to a 28-3 lead and never looked back posting their second 50 point game in three weeks defeating the Blue Hose 55-19.

LU closes out the home portion of the 2009 schedule with an in state rival:




(2-6, 1-3 Big South)

vs.


(6-2 , 3-0 Big South)



The VMI Keydets make their biannual trip to Lynchburg to face the Flames. Last time the two teams met in Williams Stadium it was a near record breaking performance as the Flamesrolled up 475 yards of offense and outslugged VMI 73-34. Liberty has won 5 of the last 7 meetings between the two including all three under head coach Danny Rocco. the Flames also have not failed to score at least 30 points against the Keydets since 2005 (when they lost 10-7). Both teams have shown propensity to light up the scoreboard (especially when they get together. Liberty knows they need every game from here on out to have a chance to make teh playoffs in the last year before the Big South picks up an automatic bid and they will come out to play with the same vengeance they did against Presbyterian. VMI could make this interesting if they can hold onto the ball as RB Howard Abegesah and QB/RB Tim Maypray can make a lot of good things happen. LU wins though to keep their playoff aspirations alive

LU 59
VMI 28

Fan the Flames: Coastal Carolina

After a bye week following the win over West Virginia Wesleyan, the Liberty Flames dive right into Big South Conference play as they look for their third straight conference title and who better to face off with in the opener than the team they faced in their first ever Big South home game...



(3-2, 1-0)
vs.


(3-2, 0-0)



the Chants come in winners of two in a row including their Big South conference opener over VMI 20-6. they are 0-2 on the road however (18-0 loss to Kent State and 21-17 loss to Towson) but you know you can pretty much throw out the records when these two teams get together. three out of the last 4 meetings have been decided by a TD or less (2005, 27-21 CCu in 3OT, 2006, 28-26 CCU and 2008 43-38 LU) and despite giving this one to LU in a runaway in teh preseason, I think LU wins this one but not in a dominating fashion

LU 35
CCU 28

If you want more info on this game and all things LU sports check out Liberty beat writer Chris Lang's blog at http://www.mynewsadvance.com/index.php/chris_lang

Also dont forget to follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/fantheflames09

Fan the Flames: Midseason Report

Sorry for the delay between posts...Lets get up to speed on what has happened since we last spoke to you:

Liberty welcomed the 6th ranked JMU Dukes to Williams Stadium for the first time since 2001. THEy also welcomed a deluge of massive proportions. The field was doused, the fans were doused, and unfortunately...the Flames offense was doused too as the Dukes scored a pair of 4th quarter TDs and knocked of Liberty 24-10.

The Flames were mad after that one...and the Bobcats of West Virginia Wesleyan had the unfortunate privilege of being the punching bag for LU to take its frustrations out on. Liberty rushed for 264 yards (led by freshman Aldreakis Allen and his career high 113 yards and 2 TDs) and Tommy Beecher had a season high 209 yards as the Flames scored 38 unanswered points to win going away 45-7.

With the Flames in a bye week before opening Big South Conference play on homecoming weekend, lets take a minute and grade teh Flames so far:

Offense: Mike Brown has shown himself to be great at any position (running, passing and catching), Chris Summers has shown he can be a breakout receiver and Aldreakis Allen and BJ Hayes have shown flashes, although they have had struggles...what better way to fix what ails than a bye week and conference play where the Flames have not lost (PC did not count as a conference game in 2008) since 2006. B-

Defense: (Check out the Midyear review by Nick Pierce and the Flames Sports Network: http://www.libertyflames.com/index.cfm?PID=10869&newsID=4417&TeamID=) The defense has only allowed more than one TD once at home and played well against a pair of good teams in WVU and JMU. LU is all over the field, especially the linebackers and they have only allowed more than 20 points twice in the first 5 games (33 by WVU, 24 by JMU). Tackling is somewhat problematic at times but they step up and make big plays when they need them. B

Special Teams: Mike Brown again has left an indelible mark here, but Matt Bevins has gone 20-23 (6-8 FG, 14-15 PAT) and Mike Larsson consistently puts out 40+ yard punts and can flip the field on anyone A


LU will be in action next Saturday as the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers come calling. Look for a writeup on that one mid next week.

Fan the Flames

Fan the Flames Preview: James Madison

Chris Summers had his coming out party up in Easton, PA this past weekend catching a career high 14 passes as Liberty hung on and defeated the Lafayette Leopards 19-13 and avenge a loss at Williams Stadium in 2008. Mike Brown made his second straight start at QB and had another solid game, going 29-36 for 256 yards and 20 rushes for 88 yards. Summers finished with a career high in yards as well, with 138 on those 14 catches.

Now to look ahead to what will be the biggest game in Liberty history...






(1-1) #6



vs.




(2-1) #24



The James Madison Dukes make their first return to Williams Stadium since 2001 for a Saturday night clash on Hall of Fame weekend. This will be the first time ever that the two teams will both be ranked coming into the matchup. The Dukes are led by their own dual threat QB in Drew Dudzik. The redshirt junior leads the team in passing going 18-28 for 335 yards and 5 TDs but also ranks second in rushing with 112 including a 70 yd TD in the opener against Maryland. Another one to watch is leading receiver Rockeed McCarter. the 6-3 senior is second on teh team with 189 receiving yards and 2 TDs both second on the team behind TE Mike Caussin. If the Flames are going to win this game they are going to really have to step up the pass defense as they did against Elon last fall, otherwise the Dukes will be running up and down teh field all night and putting up points in bunches. Danny Rocco always gets the boys up for big games and coming off back to back wins the Flames will be burning extra hot and in front of a record crowd, I think they get an upset victory

Liberty 34
JMU 31

Fan the Flames Preview: NC Central

Jarrett Brown passed for 243 yards and added 69 and a rushing TD as the West Virginia Mountaineers defeated the Liberty Flames 33-20 in Morgantown. This was the first loss for Liberty in a season opener under Danny Rocco (having won the last three).

LU certainly gave the Mountaineers all they could handle despite the final margin. Tommy Beecher passed for 210 yards and a TD but the real surprise was redshirt sophomore Mike Brown. Brown finished with 11 catches for 157 yards and a TD, Rushed two times for 7 yards and ANOTHER TD, and had 3 KO returns for 107 yards. If the band was there he'd have probably taken a few minutes to direct them for a couple songs too. The kid can do everything and he has a chance to be a real stud this year and the next two years. The biggest problems that I noticed (and these were confirmed in discussions with fellow fans after the game) were poor tackling and giving up big plays in the passing game. I counted a number of times where either Brown for WVU should have been sacked or the runner should have been stopped in the backfield for a loss. Despite that, the Flames certainly earned the respect of Mountaineer Nation and best wishes to them in the Big East this year. Now its back to the mountain...


(0-1)



vs.

(0-1)



The North Carolina Central Eagles (along with the Marching Sound Machine) make their first trip to Williams Stadium as Liberty opens the home portion of the 2009 season Saturday night. The Eagles lost last week to the Hampton Pirates 31-24 to open the 2009 season. They are led by their own dual threat redshirt sophomore QB in Michael Johnson who finished last weeks game with 123 yards through the air and 2 TDs as well as a TD on the ground. LU has not lost an opener at home since Aug 31, 2002 against Western Carolina. LU has a pair of important games coming up against Lafayette in Easton, PA and at home against #8 James Madison but they cannot overlook NCCU. LU has averaged 38.8 points per game in home openers since the loss to Western Carolina in 02 and defeated Division II North Greenville last season 49-10 and the Flames have won 44 consecutive games at home when scoring at least 30 points (I'll have to contact Elias and see who has the longest streak in that regard). LU knows that this could be a trap game with two very important constest on the horizon but COach Rocco knows they are going to have an electric atmosphere at Williams Stadum and that will carry the Flames to a decisive home win.

LU 49
NCCU 7

Fan the Flames: Game #1

Well after a long hiatus we are back! Lets dive right in with the 2009 season opener
(2008 Record: 10-2)




vs.



(2008 Record: 9-4)





Well months of lifting and practice (yes Mr. Iverson, we are talking about "practice") officially culminate with the 2009 lid lifter for both teams this Saturday afternoon in Morgantown.

West Virginia has been very successful under second year head coach Bill Stewart (He actually came on to coach the bowl game at the end of the 2007-2008 season before becoming full time head coach in 2008). According to the Mountaineers website, He set the standard for the most wins for a first year head coach ever. West Virginia will look to get back to the top of the Big East Conference and leading the way will be QB Jarrett Brown and RB Noel Devine, but these arent the only returning cogs Stewart has to work with as they are returning 18 starters and 35 total letter earners from last year's team.

Liberty is looking to get off to a good start and hopefully make a case for an at large playoff berth in the last year before the Big South gets an automatic playoff berth with the field expanding from 16 teams to 20 in the Division I Football Championship. This will be the first of three very tough games in 4 weeks for the Flames and they will be breaking in a new starting QB (although he is certainly not new to starting or to facing FBS competition) in Tommy Beecher. This team has a lot o fpotential weapons that could really light up a scoreboard but according to what Ive read, WVU will probably be faster than any team LU faces this season and I think they win this one but LU keeps it competitive for a while


WVU 42
LU 21

2009 Spring Practice Review

Greetings Fans!

With my schedule as busy as it has been (with graduation now only a coule weeks away) I wasnt able to get out and watch teh 2009 Spring Practice for the two time and defending Big South Champion Liberty Flames football team, but I was able to stay up thanks to the athletics website and a good reporter friend of mine. I'll take just a moment here and give my kudos to the Liberty University Athletic Media Relations department. These guys and gals (under the direction of Mr. Todd Wetmore) have worked very hard the last couple years to keep the athletics website fully updated with all the latest news and getting recaps and score updates and live stats available as quickly as possible and it is a real good resource for everyone from fans to reporters (to bloggers) so thank you Athletic Media Relations for all your hard work.


Now having said that and having attended the spring football game here are some thoughts I have:

1. Liberty has two QBs that both could be VERY good next year in Spencer Landis and Mike Brown. Brown started the game on Saturday but both of them played very well. Landis even had a couple very strong runs so he has shown himself to be a dual threat, although Brown is the one who could really be termed the "gamebreaker" with his speed and elusiveness (as evidenced by his work at WR last year and occasional "wildcat" plays at QB)

2. RB and OL could be the biggest question marks going into training camp. First at RB, Rashad Jennings pretty much was an all world talent coming from Pittsburgh and left a very strong mark on the LU rushing categories and hope he has a very logn and productive NFL career. Going into next year the battle for carries will probably come down to four players: Danny Broggin (backup at A-back to Zach Terrell this past season), Terron Lawrence, COurtney Anderson and true freshman SirChauncey Holloway. Holloway enrolled early at LU so he coudl get right to work on learning the offense, but with Scott Wachenheim taking a job with the Redskins earlier in the semester and QBs coach Brandon Streeter adding the OC hat, itll be interesting to see if there is more emphasis on the passing game going into 09.

On the Offensive Line, the Flames lose two first team all conference selections in Mike Godsil and Britt Stone, although I think GOdsil was the bigger loss as he was the starting center for LU for all four years (including all three of Brock Smith's full seasons as starter). Mario Cosby who served as Godsil's backup is slated as the starter at center next year but there are some with concerns he was getting beat by defenders in practice, so here's hoping that is something that can be worked on.

3. The Flames lose two real" gamebreakers" in Dominic Bolden (first team all conference) JOnathan Crawford (second team all conference) but the cupboard is by no means bare. Redshirt freshman Jimmy Eden, Redshirt sophomore Chris Summers and Virginia Tech transfer Ervin Garner look to be the top three after spring practice although converted QB Kyle DeArmon surprised some people with a very solid afternoon Saturday. Another player who could make some waves is walk on Zach Duke. Duke comes from Indiana and he had the biggest play of the day yardage wise when he caught a Tyler Brennan screen pass and ran 63 yards (before being tackled by Chris McAlister).

4. Defensively probably the one who stood out was Jamal Giddens. I read a freind on another message board say that he was afraid for his life when he saw Jamal come from 20 yards off to make a play. He has a chance to be another in a very good LB out of LU by the time his career is over.

Also on Saturday the 2009 captains were named along with a couple awards being presented:

Luke 2:52 Award (whole person development)
Kevin Richard

Samkon Gado Award (most improved in spring practice)

Doncel Bolt- Defense
Derek Bishop- Offense

2009 Captains

Offense
Bryan Mosier- Offensive Line
Josh Weaver- Offensive Line
Mike Brown- Quarterback

Defense
Trey Jacobs- Defensive Line
Chris Rocco- Defensive Back
Wes Cheek- Linebacker


Liberty kicks off the 2009 season making a trip to Morgantown, WV to face the West Virginia Mountaineers September 5. Until then...


Fan the Flames

Its back...

Well sports fans, its been just over 4 months since the Liberty Flames completed the best season in school history (as far as wins) with a 26-3 domination of the Elon Phoenix (ranked #10 in the country at the time), finished with one of the highest end of year rankings in school history, but were still denied a spot in the 2008 FCS playoffs (which would be won by Richmond so belated congratulations to them).

Well Thursday night at 7:20 PM the 2009 Liberty Flames will begin their spring practice season. Let's look at what is gone:

2008 Big South Player of the Year Rashad Jennings (a projected first day draft pick according to many prognosticators)

2008 All-conference first team QB Brock Smith
2008 All-conference first team WR AND first team PR AND second team KR Dominic Bolden
2008 All-Conference first team OL Mike Godsil
2008 All-Conference first team OL Britt Stone
2008 All-Conference first team LB Nick Hursky
2008 All-Conference first team DB Kent Hicks
2008 All-Conference first team LS Dan Pope
2008 All-Conference second team WR Jonathan Crawford
2008 All-Conference second team TE Corey Rasberry
2008 All-Conference second team DL Kevin Richard
2008 All-Conference second team DL Colin Dugan
2008 All-Conference second team DB Ryan Greiser
2008 All-Conference second team DB Patrick Calvary

That's an awful lot of very good players but there are plenty who have been waiting in teh wings and now they get their chance starting Thursday night. Here is the workout schedule (Got this from FlameFans, a Liberty University athletics message board http://www.flamefans.com):

March 26 - Thursday - 7:20pm
March 27 - Friday - 4:15pm
March 28 - Saturday - 10:20am
March 31 - Tuesday - 7:20pm
April 2 - Thursday - 7:20pm
April 3 - Friday - 4:15pm
April 4 - Saturday - 10:20am
April 7 - Tuesday - 7:20pm
April 9 - Thursday - 7:20pm
April 10 - Friday - 4:15pm
April 11 - Saturday - 10:20am
April 14 - Tuesday - 7:20pm
April 16 - Thursday - 7:20pm
April 17 - Friday - 4:15pm
April 18 - Saturday - 1:00pm - Spring Game

Hope to have updates on practice as I get out to Williams Stadium over the next few weeks.


Fan the Flames


(FTF side note: Congrats to Mike and Brock on their recent weddings...may God bless them both in this new stage of life)