The Flames look to move to 3-0 for the first time since 2008 with a win on Saturday following a dominating performance in a 58-17 win over Morehead State in the home opener. The win was the 5th win in a row in the home opener and the FLames have won gone 14-1 in home openers dating back to 2002 (The only loss coming in Turner Gill's first home game in 2012). Sophomore QB Stephen "Buckshot" Calvert was again firing on all cylinders, finishing 13/21 passing for 281 yards with 5 TDs...in the FIRST HALF! I think it would be pretty safe to say he would have broken the single-game record for passing TDs if he played the second half (that record, by the way, is 6 by Phil Basso in 1984).
After Carrington Mosley starred in the win down in Waco, JUCO transfer Kentory Matthews took the spotlight in this one, rushing for 103 yards and 2 TDs on 13 carries.
Another star on the night was BJ Farrow, making his first appearance after sitting out the Baylor game while addressing "eligibility issues" (No one from Liberty has gone on record as to what specific issues that entailed). He splashed onto the scene with 6 catches for 177 yards and 3 of Calvert's 5 TDs, including a 76-yard bomb early in the second quarter and a Sportscenter caliber grab from 45 yards out just before halftime.
The defense shined as well led by Dia'vante Brown (nicknamed the "Agent of Chaos", who had the only sack of the game for LU but just about started paying rent with as much time as he spent in the Eagles' backfield, leading with 1.5 TFL .
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Alex Probert had another sterling sheet kicking the ball converting all 7 PAT attempts, plus a perfect 3-3 in FGs as well.
All in all, the Flames did exactly what most expected them to do in this one...win every phase of the game and come out on top in a big way.
The good guys can't be caught looking ahead to a huge matchup down in Alabama against Jacksonville State next weekend because an old foe who embarrassed the Flames during their playoff season in 2014 comes to call tomorrow:
Indiana State 0-2 (0-0 Missouri Valley)
vs.
Liberty 2-0 (0-0 Independent)
Matchup
Location: Williams Stadium, Lynchburg, VA
Series: Third Meeting
Last Meeting: Indiana State 38-19 (09/27/2014)
Kickoff: 6:00 PM
Radio: The Journey FM Radio Network/Liberty Flames Sports Network (Liberty) Alan York play-by-play; WIBQ 97.9 FM/1230 AM/Indiana State Sycamore Radio Network (Indiana State) Luke Martin play-by-play
Television: Liberty Flames Sports Network/ESPN 3 Mike Tilley play-by-play
Coaches: Turner Gill (6th Season at Liberty 37-24 Record), Curt Mallory (1st Season at ISU 0-2 Record)Last Week: Liberty d. Morehead State 58-17, Indiana State L. #22 Tennessee 42-7This year's seniors remember the visit to Terre Haute when Liberty was riding a three-game winning streak, including a win over a ranked Bryant squad, and in short...wet the bed in a big way. Mike Perish shredded the Flames' secondary, throwing for 340 yards and three TDs in thevictory for the Sycamores. Josh Woodrum finished with 308 yards, 2 TDs, but two crippling interceptions.
I spoke to Todd Golden from the Terre Haute Tribune-Star and he said one of the biggest aspects of their success is going to be getting more from their passing game. LeMonte Booker who rushed for only 10 yards in their last meeting as a redshirt freshman, is the lead back and focal point of their rushing attack, but they will need more from Cade Sparks, who supplanted 2016 starter, Isaac Harker.
Liberty is showing a level of explosiveness that wasn't as evident in the 2014 meeting so I expect them to put up a lot of points...I don't think the blue ISU will be able to keep up
Liberty 49
Indiana State 21
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