Fan the Flames Prediction: Game #6

Stony Brook is a team that many Flames fans are not all that familiar with (unless you happen to be from New York). They have two very good running backs in Edwin Gowins and COnte Cuttino. The thing is that as I said Monday, the Seawolves have been outscored by almost 5:1 in the last 4 games. I was reading a piece by Liberty beat writer Chris Lang and he mentioned that Stony Brook has never beaten a full scholarship I-AA/FCS team on the road. Liberty is still in a back and forth for the longest active home winning streak in the country with Dayton (The Flyers host Drake University at Welcome Stadium Saturday at 1 PM). Zach Terrell may be out for the FLames but they have found quite a fine replacement in B.J. Hayes. I think that if Stony Brook can get on track early they can make this a respectable game but if they fall behind, as they have in the last three games, this one will be over by halftime. Im leaning more toward the latter on this one.


Liberty 56
Stony Brook 7

Fan the Flames Game #6

(1-4)











vs.









(5-0)


After a tought three game road trip that saw the Flames win all three by a combined 11 points, Liberty returns to Williams Stadium this weekend as they face off with first year Big South foe Stony Brook. The Seawolves are coming off a bye week but the week before, took one on the chin from Hofstra falling 41-3. They are led byRedshirt freshman QB Dayne Hoffman (51-of-119 for 670 Yards with 4 TDs and 6 INTs) and true freshman RB Edwin Gowins (398 Yds Rushing (7.1 YPC) 3 TDs) . The Seawolves have had trouble moving the ball on their own (211 yards last game vs. Hofstra) while giving up yards and points in bunches (outscored 106-43 in last 4 games).

Liberty comes off a big win down in Myrtle Beach (well...Conway) over Coastal Carolina 43-38. Rashad Jennings had 195 yards rushing and 3 TDs and was awarded another Big South Conference Offensive Player of the Week nod for his efforts.

I'll have my prediction later this week (hopefully a lot better than the last one)

Fan the Flames Recap: Coastal Carolina

Brock Smith threw for 239 yards and three TDs while Rashad JEnnings just missed his second straight 200 yard rushing game and the defense stood tall on a late two point conversion as the Flames won their tenth game in a row 43-38 over the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. Jennings has a chance for a 4th TD but instead made the same decision as Brian Westbrook did in a game last season as he downed himself at the one yard line to allow LU to run out the clock. The Flames now have won 6 consecutive Big South Conference football games dating back to the 2006 season, won back to back games against Coastal for the first time, and won in Conway for the first time.

Stars of the Game:

1. Rashad Jennings: The senior RB again showed why he is in the running for the Walter Payton Award after another excellent performance. He also added two receiving TDs to finish with 5 on the day (good for 30 points)
2. BJ Hayes: After sitting out last season as a redshirt, Hayes has immediately made his presence felt on the offense and he certainly made an impact with the longest run AND longest TD run of the year (66 yds) and finished with 120 all purpose yards and that TD

Key Stats:

Brock Smith: 15-24-239-3 TDs-0 INT
Rashad Jennings: 35 carries-195 yards-1 TD, 3 catches-33 yards-2 TDs
Dominic Bolden: 5 catches-93 yards-1 TD

After being on the road three of the last four weeks, the Flames return to the friendly confines of Williams Stadium and put their 10 game home winning streak on the line against Stony Brook University. Kickoff is set for 3:30 PM.

Fan the Flames

Fan the Flames Game #6

(4-0) #20 Sports Network

vs.

(3-2)

Liberty begins its defense of the 2007 Big South title with the team whose reign the Flames ended in 2007.

The Chanticleers come into this matchup having won both meetings between the two teams at Brooks Stadium (33-6 in 2004 and 28-26 in 2006) and also winners of three games in a row including a 20-7 win last time out vs NC A&T from the MEAC. The Chants have not lost a conference game at home since November 2005 when they lost to Charleston Southern 34-27 in 2 OTs (Writer's Note: Presbyterian did not count in the conference standings in 2007 even though CCU lost 41-34).

Liberty comes in on a major roll. the Flames have not lost a conference game since losing TO Coastal Carolina in 2006. The Flames have won 9 games overall including a 37-24 decision in Lynchburg last season.

This game pits the last two Bog South Conference Offensive Players of the Week in QB Zach MacDowall of Coastal Carolina and RB Rashad Jennings of Liberty. MacDowall did not play last week against teh Aggies but finished with 197 yards of total offense and 3 TDs (2 passing) in a 31-3 win over Towson University.

Jennings had a career game last week against Youngstown State finishing with 220 yards on 29 carries and three TDs. Jennings also received national recognition as he was named National Player of the Week by The Sports Network.com

Im combining my prediciton post with my preview post this week as Fan the Flames is going on teh road to Myrtle Beach this weekend for the game and I will not be able to make my prediction post on Friday. Coastal is a tough beat at home but Liberty remembers the last time they were at the beach and will do what they can to make sure the game doesnt come down to the end like last week. I think the Flames win easily.

Liberty 38

Coastal Carolina 21

Fan the Flames Recap: Youngstown State

Rashad Jennings rushed for a career high and Matt Bevins nailed a 24 yard field goal as time expired to give the Flames a 31-28 victory at Stambaugh Stadium. This is the first win for Liberty over Youngstown State since 1991. This is a big win for Liberty as it gives them two wins over teams from auto-bid conferences (They defeated Western Carolina from the Southern Conference two weeks ago).

Stars of the Game:

1. Rashad Jennings- Career high in rushing yards for the senior and helped the Flames get back in the game after getting down early

2. Matt Bevins The true freshman in his first game as the full time kicker was a cool customer even though he attempted zero game winning kicks while in high school.

Stats of note: Jennings: 29 carries-220 yards-3 TDs, Brock Smith 15-23 151 yards- 2 INT, Bevins: 4-4 PAT, 1-1 FG (GW 24 Yd FG)

The Flames wont have a lot of time to celebrate this victory as they will be packing up (along with the Liberty University Marching Band AND this blog writer) and heading down to Conway, SC to face rival Coastal Carolina to open their defense of the Big South Conference title they won last fall. I'll have my preview of the game tomorrow.

Fan the Flames

Fan the Flames Prediction: Youngstown State

This is a major statement game for Liberty. A win here would do wonders for the credibility of the program as it works to improve under Coach Rocco. On the flipside, a loss here could very well give those who still do not see the Flames as a top notch program ammunition. Liberty has not won in the Ice Castle in 17 years. Youngstown is coming off a statement victory over North Dakota State last week. I like the Flames in this one but its gonna be a close one:

Liberty 33
Youngstown St 26

Game #4

Liberty (3-0)

Vs.

Youngstown State (2-2)

Liberty plays its second non-conference road game of the season this weekend as tehy head to Youngstown, Ohio to face off with the Penguins of Youngstown State. THe series has not been kind to the Flames as YSU holds a 6-2 advantage in the series, including a 49-0 shellacking of the Flames in Lynchburg in 2005.

Liberty comes off a bye week after a tough victory over Western Carolina in Cullowhee 19-16. YSU is coming off a thrilling 32-24 victory over #2 North Dakota State at the "Ice Palace" evening their record at 2-2.