Western Carolina Recap

Sometimes its better to be lucky than good...the Liberty Flames were a little bit of both last night. Although they dominated the Catamaounts of Western Carolina in every statistical category, it took a late interception to preserve a 19-16 victory down in Cullowhee, NC.

Star of the Game: Gotta acknowledge two people for this one: First, Rashad Jennings. Even though he had a broken pinky finger that he sustained against Glenville St, Jennings still rushed for 116 yards. Also, Chad Brown got a sack and recovered the fumble that led to what proved to be the clinching TD.

Stats of Note: Brock Smith 16-26-) INT 148 yards 6 carries-30 yards-1 TD; Rashad Jennings 28 carries-116 yards; Jonathan Crawford 4 rec-36 yards 2 KO ret-82 yards

The Flames now take a much needed bye week and this blog will do the same. I'll be back in two weeks with a preview of the Flames next matchup against the Penguins of Youngstown State


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Western Carolina Prediction

Liberty has not scored less than 30 points since the 42-14 loss to Elon in 2007 (9 consecutive games). Western Carolian is rebuilding under Dennis Wagner and I think he will be a successful coach for the Catamounts. They are coming off a 69-0 shellacking to Florida State. If this one was at LU Id pick the Flames by about 4 TDs. This one is in Cullowhee where LU hasnt won in a very long time (in fact LU hasnt really won a meaningful road game in recent history). I think that changes Saturday night. I think the Flames go into the bye week burning hot and get ready to go to Youngstown off a win (and continue their streak of scoring 30 or more points)

LU 38
WCU 21

Fan the Flames Preview: Game #3

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Liberty plays its first Div 1-AA/FCS opponent of the season as they make their first trip into the state of North Carolina since a 42-14 thumping at the hands of Elon last season. Western Carolina comes into this game having lost their first game of the season to Div 1-A/FBS Florida State 69-0. Western Carolina last year finished with their worst record since joining the Southern Conference finishing an abysmal 1-10 (0-7 in the SoCon). Kent Briggs the coach was fired after the season and Dennis Wagner, former coach at Nebraska and Wayne State was brought in to resurrect a program that has not won a game in conference since defeating Wofford 24-0 nov 5, 2005 (also the last time the Catamounts shut out a conference opponent).

Liberty comes off a 44-27 win over Div II Glenville State College 44-27 running its home winning streak to 10 consecutive games tying for tops in the nation with the University of Dayton. Liberty has not lost at home since losing a 27-24 decision to Gardner-Webb October 21 2006. Brock Smith passed for over 200 yards for the second consecutive game and Dominic Bolden had a punt return for a TD to go with 88 yards receiving and a TD. Zach Terrell added a rushing TD in his 18th consecutive game to pace the Flames attack.

Gametime in Cullowhee, NC is set for 6 PM. I'll have my pick for this one later in the week.

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Glenville St Recap

Brock Smith kicked things off with a 72 yard TD to Dominic Bolden and Liberty went on to defeat the Pioneers of Glenville St 44-27. GSU got a fine game from Jerry Seymour and a couple late TDs to make things a lot closer than it actually was. LU was leading 44-14 midway through the last period.

Star of the Game: Gotta be Dominic Bolden. Not only did he have that 72 yard TD but he also had an excellent punt return for a TD. He finished with 88 yards receiving to go with that TD and 265 total all purpose yards.

Stats of note: Brock Smith, 7-11-202 yds-3 TD-2 INT; Zach Terrell 24-111 yards-1 TD (runs TD streak to 18 games); Bolden, 3-88 yards-1 TD, Matt Bevins 1-2 (Made 38 yards, missed 48 yards[short])

Fan the Flames Prediction: Glenville St.

For what its worth, Liberty does have a number of injuries at key positions, but this is a DII school. Liberty I think has enough depth to be able to score pretty much at will like they did against North Greenville last week. The rain will be gone by game time but points will be raining down on the LU side of the ball and the Flames get their 10th straight win

Prediction: LU 56, Glenville State 7

Fan the Flames Preview: Game #2

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Liberty is on a real high right now having won 9 straight games inside Williams Stadium (currently second longest active streak in the nation behind Dayton University) and 6 games overall. Glenville State opened their 2008 campaign with a resounding 30-0 victory over Lock Haven University. Liberty has won all four meetings between these two schools including a 31-7 decision in 2006 in the most recent meeting between the two teams. James McCants is one to watch for in this one for the Pioneers as he finished with 227 yards and 2 TDs in the win over Lock Haven and even added a rushing TD. I'll have my pick on this one later in the week.

Recap: North Greenville

Hey folks sorry for the lack of preview on North Greenville. I'll get back on the ball with the next game

Brock Smith went 14-17, Rashad Jennings (preseason Big South Player of the Year AND part of the Walter Payton Award Watch List) had two TDs and Dominica Bolden finished with 100 yards and a TD as Liberty extended its home winning streak to a nation leading 9 games in a row with a 49-10 win. Liberty moves to 1-0 on the year and has not lost since a 35-34 loss to 1-A/FBS Toledo in 2007.