Fan the Flames Game #6

(4-0) #20 Sports Network

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Liberty begins its defense of the 2007 Big South title with the team whose reign the Flames ended in 2007.

The Chanticleers come into this matchup having won both meetings between the two teams at Brooks Stadium (33-6 in 2004 and 28-26 in 2006) and also winners of three games in a row including a 20-7 win last time out vs NC A&T from the MEAC. The Chants have not lost a conference game at home since November 2005 when they lost to Charleston Southern 34-27 in 2 OTs (Writer's Note: Presbyterian did not count in the conference standings in 2007 even though CCU lost 41-34).

Liberty comes in on a major roll. the Flames have not lost a conference game since losing TO Coastal Carolina in 2006. The Flames have won 9 games overall including a 37-24 decision in Lynchburg last season.

This game pits the last two Bog South Conference Offensive Players of the Week in QB Zach MacDowall of Coastal Carolina and RB Rashad Jennings of Liberty. MacDowall did not play last week against teh Aggies but finished with 197 yards of total offense and 3 TDs (2 passing) in a 31-3 win over Towson University.

Jennings had a career game last week against Youngstown State finishing with 220 yards on 29 carries and three TDs. Jennings also received national recognition as he was named National Player of the Week by The Sports Network.com

Im combining my prediciton post with my preview post this week as Fan the Flames is going on teh road to Myrtle Beach this weekend for the game and I will not be able to make my prediction post on Friday. Coastal is a tough beat at home but Liberty remembers the last time they were at the beach and will do what they can to make sure the game doesnt come down to the end like last week. I think the Flames win easily.

Liberty 38

Coastal Carolina 21

Fan the Flames Recap: Youngstown State

Rashad Jennings rushed for a career high and Matt Bevins nailed a 24 yard field goal as time expired to give the Flames a 31-28 victory at Stambaugh Stadium. This is the first win for Liberty over Youngstown State since 1991. This is a big win for Liberty as it gives them two wins over teams from auto-bid conferences (They defeated Western Carolina from the Southern Conference two weeks ago).

Stars of the Game:

1. Rashad Jennings- Career high in rushing yards for the senior and helped the Flames get back in the game after getting down early

2. Matt Bevins The true freshman in his first game as the full time kicker was a cool customer even though he attempted zero game winning kicks while in high school.

Stats of note: Jennings: 29 carries-220 yards-3 TDs, Brock Smith 15-23 151 yards- 2 INT, Bevins: 4-4 PAT, 1-1 FG (GW 24 Yd FG)

The Flames wont have a lot of time to celebrate this victory as they will be packing up (along with the Liberty University Marching Band AND this blog writer) and heading down to Conway, SC to face rival Coastal Carolina to open their defense of the Big South Conference title they won last fall. I'll have my preview of the game tomorrow.

Fan the Flames

Fan the Flames Prediction: Youngstown State

This is a major statement game for Liberty. A win here would do wonders for the credibility of the program as it works to improve under Coach Rocco. On the flipside, a loss here could very well give those who still do not see the Flames as a top notch program ammunition. Liberty has not won in the Ice Castle in 17 years. Youngstown is coming off a statement victory over North Dakota State last week. I like the Flames in this one but its gonna be a close one:

Liberty 33
Youngstown St 26

Game #4

Liberty (3-0)

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Youngstown State (2-2)

Liberty plays its second non-conference road game of the season this weekend as tehy head to Youngstown, Ohio to face off with the Penguins of Youngstown State. THe series has not been kind to the Flames as YSU holds a 6-2 advantage in the series, including a 49-0 shellacking of the Flames in Lynchburg in 2005.

Liberty comes off a bye week after a tough victory over Western Carolina in Cullowhee 19-16. YSU is coming off a thrilling 32-24 victory over #2 North Dakota State at the "Ice Palace" evening their record at 2-2.

Western Carolina Recap

Sometimes its better to be lucky than good...the Liberty Flames were a little bit of both last night. Although they dominated the Catamaounts of Western Carolina in every statistical category, it took a late interception to preserve a 19-16 victory down in Cullowhee, NC.

Star of the Game: Gotta acknowledge two people for this one: First, Rashad Jennings. Even though he had a broken pinky finger that he sustained against Glenville St, Jennings still rushed for 116 yards. Also, Chad Brown got a sack and recovered the fumble that led to what proved to be the clinching TD.

Stats of Note: Brock Smith 16-26-) INT 148 yards 6 carries-30 yards-1 TD; Rashad Jennings 28 carries-116 yards; Jonathan Crawford 4 rec-36 yards 2 KO ret-82 yards

The Flames now take a much needed bye week and this blog will do the same. I'll be back in two weeks with a preview of the Flames next matchup against the Penguins of Youngstown State


Fan the Flames

Western Carolina Prediction

Liberty has not scored less than 30 points since the 42-14 loss to Elon in 2007 (9 consecutive games). Western Carolian is rebuilding under Dennis Wagner and I think he will be a successful coach for the Catamounts. They are coming off a 69-0 shellacking to Florida State. If this one was at LU Id pick the Flames by about 4 TDs. This one is in Cullowhee where LU hasnt won in a very long time (in fact LU hasnt really won a meaningful road game in recent history). I think that changes Saturday night. I think the Flames go into the bye week burning hot and get ready to go to Youngstown off a win (and continue their streak of scoring 30 or more points)

LU 38
WCU 21

Fan the Flames Preview: Game #3

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Liberty plays its first Div 1-AA/FCS opponent of the season as they make their first trip into the state of North Carolina since a 42-14 thumping at the hands of Elon last season. Western Carolina comes into this game having lost their first game of the season to Div 1-A/FBS Florida State 69-0. Western Carolina last year finished with their worst record since joining the Southern Conference finishing an abysmal 1-10 (0-7 in the SoCon). Kent Briggs the coach was fired after the season and Dennis Wagner, former coach at Nebraska and Wayne State was brought in to resurrect a program that has not won a game in conference since defeating Wofford 24-0 nov 5, 2005 (also the last time the Catamounts shut out a conference opponent).

Liberty comes off a 44-27 win over Div II Glenville State College 44-27 running its home winning streak to 10 consecutive games tying for tops in the nation with the University of Dayton. Liberty has not lost at home since losing a 27-24 decision to Gardner-Webb October 21 2006. Brock Smith passed for over 200 yards for the second consecutive game and Dominic Bolden had a punt return for a TD to go with 88 yards receiving and a TD. Zach Terrell added a rushing TD in his 18th consecutive game to pace the Flames attack.

Gametime in Cullowhee, NC is set for 6 PM. I'll have my pick for this one later in the week.

Fan the Flames

Glenville St Recap

Brock Smith kicked things off with a 72 yard TD to Dominic Bolden and Liberty went on to defeat the Pioneers of Glenville St 44-27. GSU got a fine game from Jerry Seymour and a couple late TDs to make things a lot closer than it actually was. LU was leading 44-14 midway through the last period.

Star of the Game: Gotta be Dominic Bolden. Not only did he have that 72 yard TD but he also had an excellent punt return for a TD. He finished with 88 yards receiving to go with that TD and 265 total all purpose yards.

Stats of note: Brock Smith, 7-11-202 yds-3 TD-2 INT; Zach Terrell 24-111 yards-1 TD (runs TD streak to 18 games); Bolden, 3-88 yards-1 TD, Matt Bevins 1-2 (Made 38 yards, missed 48 yards[short])

Fan the Flames Prediction: Glenville St.

For what its worth, Liberty does have a number of injuries at key positions, but this is a DII school. Liberty I think has enough depth to be able to score pretty much at will like they did against North Greenville last week. The rain will be gone by game time but points will be raining down on the LU side of the ball and the Flames get their 10th straight win

Prediction: LU 56, Glenville State 7

Fan the Flames Preview: Game #2

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Liberty is on a real high right now having won 9 straight games inside Williams Stadium (currently second longest active streak in the nation behind Dayton University) and 6 games overall. Glenville State opened their 2008 campaign with a resounding 30-0 victory over Lock Haven University. Liberty has won all four meetings between these two schools including a 31-7 decision in 2006 in the most recent meeting between the two teams. James McCants is one to watch for in this one for the Pioneers as he finished with 227 yards and 2 TDs in the win over Lock Haven and even added a rushing TD. I'll have my pick on this one later in the week.