#25 Bryant University (3-0, 0-0)
vs.
#24 Liberty University (2-1, 0-0)
Matchup
Location: Arthur L. Williams Stadium, Lynchburg VA
Series: First Meeting
Last Meeting:First Meeting
Kickoff:; 7:00 PM
Radio:
Victory FM Radio Network (Liberty) Alan York play-by-play),WOON 1240 AM Bryant Bulldogs Radio Network (Bryant)
Television: Liberty Flames Sports Network/ESPN3 (Liberty) Mike Tilley play-by-play
Coaches: Turner Gill (3rd Season at Liberty, 16-10 Record), Marty Fine (11th Season at Bryant, 65-46 Record)
Last Week: Liberty 56-31 vs. Brevard. Bryant 16-10 vs. #20 Maine
This is the 4th time in 5 years that Liberty has faced a team from the Northeast Conference (2010- St Francis at Lynchburg City Stadium, 2011- Robert Morris, 2013-Monmouth, although they were an FCS independent at the time).
The Bulldogs come in with a world of momentum, coming off an upset win over Maine, their second win over a team from the CAA following a win over former Big South member Stony Brook (who interestingly enough, was ALSO a member of the Northeast Conference before joining the Big South in 2008).
Bryant has lived and died on its stout defense. In 3 games (2 D1 and D2 Merrimack), the Bulldogs have allowed, in order: 7, 14, and 10 points. Liberty, by contrast, has allowed: 59, 0, and 31 points, but has scored 26, 17 and 56 points (the 56 coming in last week's win over D2 Brevard). The Bulldogs are facing a very explosive Liberty offense with a lot of playmakers, and in an enviroment probably more hostile than any they have ever played in.
Liberty had what some would consider a lackluster defensive performance against the Tornados, but a stellar offensive performance, topping the 600 yard mark for the first time since the double overtime loss to Coastal Carolina at home last year.
Defensive coordinator Robert Wimberly, in his postgame comments, did not want to change the calls and terminology for what likely will be the only triple option team the Flames face all year.
Junior RB DJ Abnar had a career high 161 yards and 2 TDs, Darrin Peterson narrowly missed getting a 200 yard game, but scored from 80+ yards out in the home opener for the second consecutive year, thanks to an electrifying 86 yard TD catch in the 4th quarter. Josh Woodrum finished with the most yards in a game since his 382 yards also against Coastal Carolina last season.
Prediction
Bryant comes into Lynchburg with a stout defense, probably second to Norfolk State as far as FCS defenses go on the schedule this year. For Liberty to win this game, they need to do the same thing they did against Brevard last week: start fast. If the Flames can get off to a 21-0 lead like they did last week, they can break the will of the Bulldogs and probably cruise from there. If the game stays in the teens and Bryant can keep the margin to a touchdown or less, the Flames might tighten up despite being in front of the home crowd and give them a chance to pull the upset. I like Liberty to win here, but when I did my game by game predictions for this game, I had Liberty winning 41-17. While I now don't think this one will be that one sided, I do still think the Flames pull away late and get another home victory, their first against a ranked non-conference opponent
Liberty 30
Bryant 17
Last Week: Liberty 56-31 vs. Brevard. Bryant 16-10 vs. #20 Maine
This is the 4th time in 5 years that Liberty has faced a team from the Northeast Conference (2010- St Francis at Lynchburg City Stadium, 2011- Robert Morris, 2013-Monmouth, although they were an FCS independent at the time).
The Bulldogs come in with a world of momentum, coming off an upset win over Maine, their second win over a team from the CAA following a win over former Big South member Stony Brook (who interestingly enough, was ALSO a member of the Northeast Conference before joining the Big South in 2008).
Bryant has lived and died on its stout defense. In 3 games (2 D1 and D2 Merrimack), the Bulldogs have allowed, in order: 7, 14, and 10 points. Liberty, by contrast, has allowed: 59, 0, and 31 points, but has scored 26, 17 and 56 points (the 56 coming in last week's win over D2 Brevard). The Bulldogs are facing a very explosive Liberty offense with a lot of playmakers, and in an enviroment probably more hostile than any they have ever played in.
Liberty had what some would consider a lackluster defensive performance against the Tornados, but a stellar offensive performance, topping the 600 yard mark for the first time since the double overtime loss to Coastal Carolina at home last year.
Defensive coordinator Robert Wimberly, in his postgame comments, did not want to change the calls and terminology for what likely will be the only triple option team the Flames face all year.
Junior RB DJ Abnar had a career high 161 yards and 2 TDs, Darrin Peterson narrowly missed getting a 200 yard game, but scored from 80+ yards out in the home opener for the second consecutive year, thanks to an electrifying 86 yard TD catch in the 4th quarter. Josh Woodrum finished with the most yards in a game since his 382 yards also against Coastal Carolina last season.
Prediction
Bryant comes into Lynchburg with a stout defense, probably second to Norfolk State as far as FCS defenses go on the schedule this year. For Liberty to win this game, they need to do the same thing they did against Brevard last week: start fast. If the Flames can get off to a 21-0 lead like they did last week, they can break the will of the Bulldogs and probably cruise from there. If the game stays in the teens and Bryant can keep the margin to a touchdown or less, the Flames might tighten up despite being in front of the home crowd and give them a chance to pull the upset. I like Liberty to win here, but when I did my game by game predictions for this game, I had Liberty winning 41-17. While I now don't think this one will be that one sided, I do still think the Flames pull away late and get another home victory, their first against a ranked non-conference opponent
Liberty 30
Bryant 17
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