Well its been a couple weeks since the Flames concluded their 2008 season. LU defeated Gardner Webb 30-10 (the closest one of my predictions has been ALL year long) to complete their second straight perfect run in the Big South, and then capped off one of the best seasons in LU history by pasting the Elon Phoenix from the Southern COnference 26-3.
Then came selection Sunday for the 2008 NCAA Division I Football Championship. LU had heard that if they beat Elon there was a very good chance they made the playoffs so I joined the team in teh Williams Football Operation Center to celebrate an historic occasion. But something happened on the way to history...LU was passed over (along with an equally worthy William and Mary squad) for Maine in the picking of the last at large playoff berth.
Now its been very well documented my feelings about this, as well as what Maine brought to the table to warrant this selection. Maine finished with 3 losses to teams that actually made the field of 16 (New Hampshire, JMU, and Richmond) AND a loss to FBS Iowa. They did not beat a single ranked team all year (W&M beat JMU AND Liberty Beat YSU who was #25 at the time and Elon). Maine went on to be routed by #3 national seed Northern Iowa 40-15. But there are definitely plenty of great things about this season to make mention of:
1. Rashad Jennings. What else can be said that hasnt been said. Rashad in three years has shown that he is one of if not THE best RB we have had at Liberty. he is indeed a very rare talent and we should all be thankful he returned to the mountain
2. Brock Smith. He has matured so much in 4 years, even being considered as an NFL prospect at QB
3. Dominic Bolden. He has blossomed the last two years both as a wide receiver and as a kick
returner. He has shown he an be a dangerous threat every time he touches the ball.
4. JOnathan Crawford. To go from backup defensive back to #2 receiver and kick returner, J-5 has shown great improvement just like Dominic has and both of them have a real chance to make a name for themselves in the pro ranks.
5. Danny Rocco. The job he has done turning around this football program has been nothing short of miraculous. To take a 10 loss football team and turn it into a 10 win team in just three seasons and all while maintaining the exact same coaching staff AND not pursuing other coaching opportunities...Coach Rocco has been an immense blessing to this school and this writer in particular is very thankful he is here.
Well that will do it for the 2008 season, but this blog will be back in March as we get ready for Spring 2009 Practice and we'll start looking at all the different positions for 2009.
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