Before I do though, let's take a quick look back at last week's game against Southern Illinois.
Josh Woodrum threw for 277 yards and became Liberty's all-time leader in total offense, but the Flames were undone by a pair of fumbles, 2 failed 4th down conversions and a much faster Saluki squad as they fell 34-13 last Saturday night.
Woodrum did not throw an interception on the evening, but he was not very efficient, needing 47 attempts to get his yards. He also failed to throw a TD pass in a regular season game for the first time since the VMI game in 2013, and the Flames again could not get the running game going, as Todd Macon led the way with only 28 yards and the lone TD on the night. The Flames have not been held without an offensive TD since September 2010 against JMU (a 10-3 loss), a span of 57 games. That game was also the last time Liberty failed to reach double figures in points.
The Flames are going to have to get the run game on track if they want to contend for the Big South title, much less a playoff berth of any type.
Grades for Week 4:
Offense: C-
This is being pretty generous I know. Woodrum needed 47 attempts to get his yardage, the Flames finished below 100 yards on the ground for the third straight game and Woodrum was sacked twice, both times losing the football. there were some bright spots so I didn't think that this week warranted a D or F grade
Defense: C+
The Flames were held without a sack after Chima pancaked Montana's QB to set the all-time sack record. They will need to get much better penetration into the GSU backfield in order to keep the pressure on QB Nick Arbuckle. The DBs were burned on some long pass plays as well, although Alpha Jalloh did have a nice diving INT. GSU has a couple guys that can put up some crooked numbers if they are not on their game despite the 1-2 record.
Special Teams:C-
Lunsford once again struggled, missing from 57 and 48 yards, but hitting from 39 and 57. The 2014 All-American is going to need to get his head in the game if he is going to be as potent a weapon as he was last year.
Trey Turner only had 1 punt, which thankfully was not blocked after the adventurous time against Montana. Hopefully he figures out a way to speed up his delivery, although I would be perfectly content with the Flames not attempting any punts in this one.
The kick return game was...well outside of Damian King it was...well...meh. King had a 38 yard burst against the Salukis, so you have to think he is due to break a huge one at some point, as is DJ Abnar. Zac Parker again struggled fielding punts, having an adventurous fair catch and a negative return in his two attempts.
Now on to this week's FBS opponent:
Liberty (#18 FCS) 2-2 (0-0) Big South)
vs.
Georgia State 1-2 (1-0 Sun Belt)
The Liberty Flames make their first ever appearance in the Georgia Dome, and their first appearance in the state of GA since 2006 (Trivia: Who was the opponent in that game?) Liberty is 2-1 in FBS games against non-"P5" opponents (defeating Ball State in 2010 and Appalachian State last year, and losing to Kent State in 2013).
Matchup:
Series: First Meeting
Last Meeting: First Meeting
Kickoff: 3:30 PM
Radio: The Journey FM Radio Network/Liberty Flames Sports Network (Liberty) Alan York play-by-play, Georgia State Radio Network (Georgia State) Dave Cohen play-by-play
Television: ESPN3/Big South Network (National) Matt Stewart play-by-play
Coaches: Turner Gill (4th Season at Liberty, 23-16 Record), Trent Miles (3rd Season at GSU, 3-25 Record)
Last Week: Liberty L 13-34 vs.Southern Illinois, Georgia State had a bye week
Prediction:
GSU has made strides under Coach Miles, but they still only have 3 wins in 28 games under the former Indiana State HC, and last year against 2nd year FCS program Abilene Christian, they had to rally in the 4th quarter to squeak out a 1 point win.
The Flames need this game to bolster their resume for a bid to the FCS playoffs. A win here, paired with a win over Montana as well will certainly look good in the eyes of the committee, especially if SIU and West Virginia continue to do well.
While I do pick the Flames to win this one, GSU is still an FBS program so I think this game will be close. If Lunsford was able to get his screws tightened up top, I expect him to blast one at the gun and give the Flames another FBS "scalp" (as they call in on some of the FCS message boards)
Liberty 35
Georgia State 32
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