This week I had a chat with Jake Oswalt from Mainline Sports as we get set for Saturday's matchup
Fan the Flames: What has it meant to see Coach Villarial take St. Francis from where they were 8 seasons ago to the FCS playoffs? What changes have you most noticed from the program as he has been at the helm?
Jake Oswalt: Chris Villarrial has engineered one of the most impressive
turnarounds in all of FCS football. SFU was one of the worst programs
that failed to produce a winning record from 1993 until the 2015
season. Having been from the Loretto area, there is a clear
night-and-day difference under Villarrial's guidance. The entire
culture has changed. The team expects to win Northeast Conference
titles now, instead of hoping to have a winning record.
To illustrate the program's ascension, SFU went 12-81 (.129 winning
percentage) in NEC play from 1996-2009. After going 2-14 in
Villarrial's first two years in conference play, the Red Flash have
gone 17-13 over the last five years in the NEC. SFU won its first NEC
title last year and earned its first FCS Playoff bid.
Villarrial and his staff has dramatically increased the talent level.
This year, San Francisco 49ers safety Lorenzo Jerome became the first
player from Saint Francis to play in the NFL since 1952. The program
is built on physicality on both sides of the ball. The administration
has invested in providing better facilities, while this coaching staff
has implemented creative schemes to stay among the NEC's elite. Over
the last few years, Saint Francis has been able to compete with teams
in the top FCS conferences, yet they are still searching for a
program-defining victory.
FTF: What is the mindset of the team as they make the trip to Lynchburg before the bulk of NEC play begins?
JO: This Saint Francis team will be unphased coming into Liberty. SFU
has played in road games at Albany, Fordham, James Madison, Montana,
Towson, Villanova and Youngstown State since 2014 and remained
competitive in those games. The Red Flash have no problem playing the
underdog role. SFU will be looking to get back in the win column after
losing on a last-second field goal to Towson at home on Sept. 16.
After a bye week, I'm sure the players have that loss on the back of
their minds.
FTF: Who is the player we need to most watch out for from the Red Flash on Saturday night?
JO: Keep your eyes on wide receiver Kamron Lewis. The junior is a
highlight-reel waiting to happen. Lewis was named as the NEC Offensive
Player of the Year after hauling in 75 passes for 1,478 yards and 11
touchdowns. Through three games, Lewis has received plenty of
attention but has compiled 17 catches for 264 yards and four
touchdowns. Listed at 6-foot-4, Lewis is a red zone threat. He caught
two touchdowns on fades against Towson.
FTF: What's the matchup that we need to be watching this Saturday night?
JO: The Liberty passing game against SFU's passing defense looks to be
a critical matchup. Liberty averages 359.5 passing yards per game,
while SFU allows 183.3 yards through the air per contest. SFU has a
veteran secondary with three seniors in cornerbacks Malik Duncan and
Jalen Wells and safety Delondo Boyd. Towson's Jabari Greenwood caught
13 passes for 151 yards against SFU on Sept. 16. It looks as though
Liberty's Antonio Gandy-Golden will provide another test as he has 28
catches for 499 yards and four touchdowns.
SFU loves getting after the quarterback with its various blitzes so
providing Stephen Calvert time will be key. SFU has picked off five
passes and recovered five fumbles in three games. Saint Francis has
only allowed one touchdown through three games. Opponents have only
produced one touchdown in 10 red zone trips against SFU's defense.
FTF: What do you think is the key for the Red Flash against the Flames
JO: The key for Saint Francis will be to establish its running game and
keep the crowd out of it. Although Houston transfer Bear Fenimore has
provided steady play at quarterback, SFU wants to have a balanced
offense with an efficient running game. The play-action passing game
has helped Saint Francis win two of its first three games. SFU needs
to stay ahead of schedule offensively to allow its defense time to
rest, as they will face its toughest test as of yet.
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