The Flames kicked off the 2015 season with a 32-13 victory over the Delaware State Hornets from the MEAC. Desmond Rice, in his first game since 2013, rushed for 139 yards and 2 TDs, while Josh Woodrum began his final assault on the all-time passing yards record by throwing for 188 yards and 2 TDs.
The Flames jumped on the board first, thanks to the first of Woodrum's two TDs, a 26 yarder to Darrin Peterson. After a Wesley Scott INT, the Flames doubled their lead on the ensuing possession, capped by Des Rice racing in from 23 yards out.
A Nick Newman safety was followed by a John Lunsford 52 yard field goal to push the lead to 19-6 heading into the half.
Woodrum found his favorite target again in the third quarter, this time from 6 yards out and the Flames extended their lead to 19 after a missed two-point conversion. DSU cut the deficit to 12 25-13 on a 2 yard Jamal Jackson run, but the Flames capped off the scoring with a 6 yard Rice touchdown for their 8th win in the last 9 openers at Williams Stadium (the 2010 game against St Francis (PA) was played across town at Lynchburg City Stadium).
Grades for Week 1:
Offense: B-
Some may call me generous for that, but there was a lot of good to see from this group. the O-line did well keeping JW upright, and paved the way for a good rushing night for Des Rice. Petey was...well Petey, although he did have to be carted off the field. Zac Parker had 6 catches for 41 yards and LCA grad BJ Farrow caught his first collegiate ball for 20 yards.
Defense: A-
THe boys up front did well in the new 4-2-5 package, routinely getting into the DSU backfield, including the aforementioned Newman safety, and finishing with 5 sacks, 2.5 from preseason all-conference pick Chima Uzowihe, who was named the conference defensive player of the week today.
The defensive bakfield had some nice plays, but as was noted by one of the posters on FlameFans, routinely got beaten on deep plays where they were not looking back for the ball. That is something that canNOT happen this week.
Special Teams: A
John Lunsford added to his reputation as "Leg-A-Tron 2.0" with a 52 yad field goal that would have been good from 60,and Trey Turner blasted the FLame's only 3 punts including a 61 yarder. the return game had a decent night, although only 3 balls were returned total on the night, so most of this grade is on the kickers.
Now, on to this week:
Liberty 1-0 (0-0 Big South)
vs.
West Virginia 1-0 (0-0 Big 12)
The Flames return to Morgantown, WV for the first time since 2009 as they face off with the Mountaineers, now a member of the Big 12. The last time these two teams met, WVU was part of the now defunct Big East Conference (which was reborn as the American Athletic Conference). An unknown player named Mike Brown made his debut in that game and began his journey into the annals of Flames football history with his performance. Here is hoping we get another breakout performer in the red, white and navy blue this year. Here is the rundown:
Matchup:
Series: Second Meeting (WVU leads 1-0)
Last Meeting: 33-20 WVU (09/12/2009
Kickoff: 3 PM
Radio: The Journey FM Radio Network/Liberty Flames Sports Network (Liberty) Alan York play-by-play, Mountaineer Sports Network (West Virginia) Tony Caridi play-by-play
Television: Root Sports/Fox Sports Net (West Virginia) Mark Followell play-by-play
Coaches: Turner Gill (4th Season at Liberty, 23-14 Record), Dana Holgorsen (5th Season at West Virginia, 29-23 Record)
Last Week: Liberty W 32-13 vs. Delaware State, West Virginia W 44-0 vs. Georgia Southern
Prediction
Liberty has shown well against FBS opponents in the past 9 seasons, and if not for a bad case of the "yips" in the third quarter, would have had another close game against UNC this year. If the FLames can work out the rough stuff that took place last week, we could be looking at another one of those matchups against a P5 FBS opponent. I have the Mountaineers winning this one, but I would not be surprised if the Flames do not go down as easily as the former FCS national champion Eagles did in Morgantown.
Liberty 24
West Virginia 38
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