Well readers, for the first time ever, I am not doing a postmortem post the week after the final regular season game for the Liberty Flames football team, after Chima Uzowihe swatted away a potential game-winning field goal by Coastal Carolina kicker Alex Catron, preserving a 15-14 Flames victory, the 7th Big South football championship in 8 years (5th shared title) and an automatic bid to the NCAA FCS playoffs, becoming the third Big South team (second current) to qualify, joining CCU and current CAA member Stony Brook.
Stephon Masha in his second career start, threw one TD pass to first team all-conference WR Darrin Peterson (more on All-Conference in just a minute) and Big South Special Teams Player of the Year Jon Lunsford kicked the go ahead field goal setting the stage for the exciting conclusion.
This win was a statement for Liberty. In the 8 years since current Richmond HC Danny Rocco took over the Flames in 2006 (2007-2014), The Flames have played a game where at least a share of the Big South title was on the line...6 times (2007, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014), the Flames came out on top. The only two losses came in 2009 and 2011 against Stony Brook.
Well a new journey begins this weekend in Harrisonburg...
#20 Liberty (8-4, 4-1 Big South 2014 Big South Champions)
vs.
#15 James Madison (9-3, 6-2 Colonial 2014 CAA at-large)
Matchup:
Location: Bridgeforth Stadium, Harrisonburgm VA
Series: 22nd Meeting (Liberty leads 19-2)
Last Meeting: 56-14 LU (09/17/2011)
Kickoff: 4:00 PM
Radio: Victory FM Radio Network (Liberty) Alan York play-by-play, JMU/Ntelos Sports Network (JMU) Mike Schikman play-by-play
Television: ESPN3 (National) Dave Weekley play-by-play
Coaches: Turner Gill (3rd Season at Liberty, 22-13 Record), Everett Withers (1st Season at JMU, 9-3 Record)Last Week: Liberty W 15-14 vs. JMU W 59-27 vs. Elon
Prediction
This game will come down to the two QBs and the two defenses. Flames starter for much of the season Josh Woodrum will be back for this one after missing the last two games recovering from an infection to his leg. Georgia Tech transfer Vad Lee leads the Dukes into the playoffs.
There is a lot working against the Flames this weekend, but they went into a game as underdogs with a lot on the line last week and did just enough to get the win. JMU is a whole new breed of cat. I will make what a lot of people will call a homer pick and go with Liberty to face off with 6 seed Villanova next week after an old west shootout at Bridgeforth
Liberty 59
JMU 56
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