Fan the Flames Football Preview Game #5: New Mexico

Last week the Liberty Flames won their second consecutive game, 62-27 over the FCS Hampton Pirates, their first victory over Hampton since 1996. Antonio Gandy-Golden tied Darrin Peterson for the all-time record in receiving touchdowns with  27 after two scores. Stephen Buckshot Calvert threw for 319 yards and those two touchdowns to extend his school record for touchdown passes in a career to 71 (a fitting number given when Liberty was founded). Brandon "Pop" Robinson led the Flames in rushing with 105, including an electrifying 75-yard touchdown in the 4th quarter. The Flames will need more from the running backs in this last in a three-game homestand before heading out to Las Cruces, NM for their first road game since week 2.

New Mexico (2-1, 0-0 Mountain West)

vs.

Liberty (2-2, FBS Independent)

The Flames welcome the Lobos in the second of a two-game series after the Flames went out to Albuquerque in 2018. New Mexico is the first-ever team from the Mountain West to make the trip to Liberty Mountain and Williams Stadium, the third first-time FBS opponent to make the visit after Syracuse in week 1 and Buffalo two weeks ago. Here is a breakdown of the matchup:

Matchup

Location:Williams Stadium Lynchburg, VA

Series: Second Meeting (Liberty leads 1-0)

Last Meeting: Liberty 52-43 (9/29/2018)

Kickoff: 6:00 PM

Radio: The Journey FM Radio Network/Liberty Flames Sports Network (Liberty) Alan York play-by-play; Lobo Radio Network (New Mexico) Robert Portnoy play-by-play

Television: Liberty Flames Sports Network/ESPN + Matt Warner play-by-play

Coaches: Hugh Freeze (First season at Liberty 2-2 record) , Bob Davie(8th season at New Mexico 35-55 record)
Last Week: Liberty d. Hampton (FCS) 62-27; New Mexico d. New Mexico State 55-52

This is a key game for Liberty as noted by our friends at A Sea of Red Liberty athletics blog, as this is the third in a run of seven consecutive games where Liberty is favored according to ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI), and seven straight very winnable games for the Flames in this first year under Hugh Freeze. With only the HAmpton game serving as a counter for bowl eligibility, and the Flames heading to BYU and Virginia in November, it is paramount that there be no "WTF" games during this stretch if there is a chance for LU to go bowling this year. The Lobos have scored a LOT of points under coach Davie, scoring 55 in their win over in-state rival New Mexico State, and 39 in edging FCS Sam Houston State in their opener, and scoring 40 or more points in all three of their victories in 2018.

I expect a ton of fireworks on the field as well as off, as the two teams combined for 95 points in their meeting last season, and with the over/under on this matchup at 72 1/2 and Liberty as a 7 1/2 point favorite heading into today, Vegas expects the offenses to put on quite a show. Im picking the Flames in this one to start fast, and keep the Lobos at arm's length and get a win

Liberty 63
New Mexico 41

Fan the Flames Football Preview Game #4: Hampton

The Liberty Flames got the first win of the Hugh Freeze era last week with a 35-17 victory over the Buffalo Bulls inside of Williams Stadium last Saturday night. Stephen Calvert threw for 325 yards and 4 touchdowns, two to his favorite target Antonio Gandy-Golden, who caught 8 passes for 174 yards.

Let's take a look at this week's game:

Hampton (2-1, 0-0 Big South)

vs.

Liberty (1-2, FBS Independent)

Liberty welcomes the Hampton Pirates to Williams Stadium for the first time since 1998 when the Pirates come for Family Weekend. The Pirates have actually won the last two meetings with the Flames, when Liberty was an FCS independent in 1997 and 1998.

Matchup

Location:Williams Stadium Lynchburg, VA

Series: Seventh Meeting

Last Meeting: Hampton 21-0 (10/10/1998)

Kickoff: 6:00 PM

Radio: The Journey FM Radio Network/Liberty Flames Sports Network (Liberty) Alan York play-by-play; Hampton Pirates Radio Network (Hampton), Richie Summerville play-by-play

Television: Liberty Flames Sports Network/ESPN + Matt Warner play-by-play

Coaches: Hugh Freeze (First season at Liberty 1-2 record) , Robert Prunty (Second season at Hampton, 9-4 record)
Last Week: Liberty d. Buffalo 35-17; Hampton d. Howard 41-20