2009 Big South Football Preview: Liberty
The Big South Conference concludes its daily previews leading up to the 2009 football season opener. Today: Liberty, which is predicted to win its third consecutive Conference championship in 2009.
As in most situations in life, the various circumstances we encounter during our daily lives can be viewed from differing angles. Some see the glass "half full," while others see it "half empty." How one views a subjective position is often a testament to their personality or their prespective on life. A difference of option can also be seen in how onlookers may view the upcoming Flames football season, as the opinions are varied entering head coach Danny Rocco's fourth year with the program. Back-to-back Big South Conference championship seasons have seen the program quickly rise from a 1-10 team in 2005 to a legitimate Top 25 program in 2008.
Last year, Liberty proved that its 2007 championship season was no fluke and that the Flames were not going to be a one-year wonder. During the course of the season, Liberty knocked off two Top 25 programs (No. 12 Elon and No. 23 Youngstown State) and achieved the program's first-ever 10 win season and highest final national ranking (No. 14 in the Sports Network poll). Behind the efforts of a senior-laden team, the Flames set 11-program records and outscored their opponents by more than two touchdowns per game (15-point difference, 33.7 average points per game to 18.7 average points allowed per game). After a record-setting season in 2007, where the Flames averaged 42.6 points per game, Liberty continued to rank among the nation's elite in offensive prowess. In 2008, the Flames ranked No. 9 in total offense (446.67 total offensive yards per game), No. 13 in rushing offense (213.50 rushing yards per game) and No. 17 in scoring offense.
However, not to be outdone by their offensive counterparts, who reaped much of the praise and accolades throughout the year, the Flames' defense remained stout during the course of the 12-game campaign. Liberty finished the year ranked No. 14 in scoring defense, making the Flames one of seven FCS programs nationally to rank in the Top 20 in both scoring offense and scoring defense. However, those who are knowledgeable inside the FCS realm have some concern entering the 2009 campaign, as 15 starters and 25 letterwinners from last year's 10-2 campaign graduated, leaving Rocco with a much younger clan to instruct this year. While the outside watchers of Liberty's program might view the Flames' proverbial glass as "half empty" or even worse, the view from the back corner office at the Williams Stadium Football Operations Center is quite different. Rocco, a Top 5 finalist for last year's Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year honor and an Eddie Robinson Award nominee, sees a younger and untested group chomping at the bit to carry on the legacy that has been established over the past several years.
"This year's version of Liberty football is a little bit different in that this is a younger team," stated Rocco. "Yes, it is a little less experienced than what we have had the last two years, but having said that, this is a very talented team. I'm very excited about the talent and the depth that we have on this team, as across the board, we have great depth at every position, both offensively and defensively."
The three-time Big South Coach of the Year knows that he does not have the proven talent that has packed out Williams Stadium the past three years, but he is not expecting a drop in performance. Spring practice showed him the Flames are ready to make a run at an unprecedented third-straight Big South title, but they might have to do so in a different manner this go around.
"I think this is a year where we are going to have to find some different ways to win football games," projected Rocco. "We are going to have to find different ways to put points on the scoreboard and unique ways on defense to take the ball away. However, with that being said, I'm very comfortable and confident that it will be another very successful year for our program."
Over the next four months, the outcome in 11 different trips out onto the gridiron will tell whether the doubting minds of those on the national FCS scene, who view Liberty's talent pool as "half empty" are correct or whether the one who knows the program best is right, as Rocco is confident that the 2009 version of the Flames are "half full" or better.
"Over the past four years, I think the expectations have changed greatly," remarked Rocco. "I think the program is in a position right now were the expectation is that we are very competitive each and every year. We expect to win every time we take the field and we expect to compete for conference championships every year. Because of our most recent successes, we have put ourselves in this position."
QUARTERBACKS
As in most cases, the success of a football team will rise and fall on the play of its quarterback. Nothing could be closer to the truth this year for the Flames, as Rocco is hoping several cogs in his overall offense fall into place during the preseason workouts, especially at this key position. As previously mentioned, the Flames will be looking to replace a three-year starter in Brock Smith, who finished his career with 7,036 passing yards and 50 touchdowns. During spring practice, Smith's backup for the past two years, Spencer Landis, and multifaceted player, Mike Brown, shared reps throughout the workouts. By the end of the 15-practice season, Rocco had tabbed Brown his starting quarterback, while the redshirt sophomore gained the respect of his fellow teammates and was named one of the team's three offensive captains.
"Mike Brown is the guy who came out of spring ball having earned that spot at starting quarterback," reflected Rocco. "But we all know Mike is extremely versatile, as he can function in our offense as a quarterback, both full-time or part-time, or as a wide receiver or a running back."
Last year, Brown was 2-of-4 for 25 yards under center: however, he also ranked fourth on the team in both rushing (142 yards/two touchdowns) and receiving (331 yards/one touchdown) yards. Landis has been the understudy for the past several seasons, and he completed 11-of-17 passing attempts for 88 yards in five games of action during 2008. Since Rocco's arrival, the head coach has successfully used several key FBS transfers to aid in the team's rapid rise to success. All-conference performers Eddie Pinigis and Vince Redd came from Virginia to quickly bolster Liberty's line-up, while Jennings himself returned home after his first season at Pitt. Rocco is hoping the influx of FBS talent continues to aid in Liberty remaining atop the league and among the nation's notable FCS programs, as he added a SEC quarterback last January. Tommy Beecher, South Carolina's starting quarterback going into the 2008 season, finished up his degree last May in Columbia, S.C., but still had one year left of collegiate eligibility. Now enrolled in the Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, Beecher has joined the Flames' roster for one last season of football.
"Tommy Beecher joined our program here over the summer after transferring from South Carolina," stated Rocco. "He started the opening game for South Carolina last year against N.C. State, and he has been very impressive in his preparation during the course of the summer."
RUNNING BACKS/FULLBACKS
The name Liberty Football has become synonymous with rushing, as the Flames have ranked among the FCS ranks' Top 30 in the statistical category six out of the last seven years. Last season, Liberty posted its second-highest team rushing total in program history with 2,562 yards, while ranking No. 13 nationally in rushing average (213.5). All but 526 yards out of the Flames' 2008 total is no longer with the program (20.5 percent remaining). Most of the lost yardage came from Jennings' star-studded season, one in which he rushed his way to a seventh-round selection by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2009 NFL Draft. Also lost was four-year starter Zach Terrell, who was used in a variety of roles during his stay on Liberty Mountain. He rushed for 2,479 career yards and 29 touchdowns, while also completing 25-of-40 pass attempts for 297 yards. Rocco knows that the quarterbacking position is not the only place he needs to retool.
"I think one of the most interesting positions on our team right now is the running back position," commented Rocco. "Having lost Rashad and Zach, who were two outstanding players in our program, we don't have the guy in place right now who is a proven commodity. We don't have the guy who has gone out there and gained the yards on Saturday afternoons in the past, but we do have a very deep pool of talent to choose from."
Leading the way amongst the unproven clan is Danny Broggin, who came out of spring practice as the Flames' starter at tailback. Broggin rushed for 75 yards on 19 carries in 10 games during the 2008 season.
"Danny Broggin finished spring ball as the starter," stated Rocco. "He certainly will play a key role for us offensively this year, as we get started with the season."
Rocco had B.J. Hayes split his time during spring practice between the Flames' backfield and with the wide receivers. Last year, the redshirt sophomore ranked third on the team by rushing for 194 yards on 18 carries, while catching 17 passes for 189 yards.
"B.J. Hayes played a lot for us last year as a slot receiver," commented Rocco. "We have looked at B.J. in the backfield, as he has shown some outstanding skills back there in the backfield, both as a ball carrier and as a receiver. I can see this pair being the two most prominent ball carriers for us, but we really do have a lot of young talent in the program."
The depth that Rocco speaks of can be found in players who have been with the program, like Terron Lawrence and Alfonso Wells, and in some fresh faces, like Chase Barnett and Chauncey Holloway.
"Chauncey Holloway is a young man who joined our program last January, as a true freshman out of Florida," said Rocco. "He has a very bright and promising future for us and I think he will have a chance to contribute this year. Chase Barnett is another in-state running back, who I think will be competing for playing time in the backfield."
Much like the quarterbacking position, the August practices leading up to the Flames' Sept. 5 opener against West Virginia are going to be key to determining the starting outcome in Liberty's backfield.
"Although we don't have the senior depth back there, we have a lot of guys to look at during this training camp," commented Rocco. "We have a lot of young players who should be able to adopt different roles. This is probably a year for us where the backfield will be done by committee instead of being a one or two-headed monster, like it was the last couple of years."
Although the tailback position will see many battles during August, the fullback paving the way for the newest Liberty star running back is set, as Derek Bishop returns to fill the unsung hero role.
"Derek is just a really solid player for us and he had an outstanding spring and summer," remarked Rocco about his returning starter. "He is as far along as he has ever been in terms of his ability to do multiple roles in our offense. He was predominately a blocker for Rashad the last couple of years, but he has shown the ability to catch the ball and run the ball inside. We are really expecting good things from Bishop."
TIGHT ENDS
Although Liberty's tight ends have not put up the statistical numbers that warrants recognition over the past several seasons (an average of 140 yards per year for the starter over the past seven years), the blocking work the Flames tight ends have done for Liberty's power running attack has not gone unnoticed. Chris Luck was a three-time Big South all-conference honoree, including first-team accolades during his final two seasons in 2005 and 2006. Last year, Corey Rasberry continued the tradition, as the sizable tight end was recognized for his blocking abilities, as a second-team all-conference selection. He finished the year with a career-best 15 catches for 190 yards and his lone collegiate touchdown. This season, the position of providing Liberty an extra blocker in its punishing rushing attack has been handed to redshirt senior Will Quarles. Quarles saw playing time in 10 out of 12 games in 2008 and caught one pass for 14 yards, while being heavily used on the Flames special teams.
"Will Quarles is a young man that came on real strong during the spring," said Rocco. "He is going into his senior year and he played a significant amount of football for us last year. He has good size and a good combination of run blocking ability and pass reception ability."
Also adding depth behind Quarles will be Tommy Shaver, Dominique Jones and Matthias Wrede. Shaver matched Quarles in 2008 with 10 games of action and one single 14-yard reception, while Jones hauled in two catches for 20 yards.
"Tommy Shaver is a young man, who is a big giant of a guy and can be a threat in both the blocking game and receiving game," added Rocco. "Tommy will give us the ability to use some two tight end formations, with Quarles and Shaver in the game at the same time.
"Matthias Wrede is a very strong player, who was an offensive tackle for us and we are now moving to tight end," continued Rocco. "Dominique Jones enjoyed a good spring, giving us four big bodies at the tight end position that adds flexibility and versatility to our offense."
WIDE RECEIVERS
The past two seasons, the Flames have successfully been able to retool the wide receiver position. In 2009, Rocco is hoping to make it three for three in this part of his offensive scheme. In 2007, the tandem of Wynton Jackson (641 yards/six touchdowns) and Brandon Turner (536 yards/three touchdowns) were responsible for over 50 percent of the Flames' total receiving yards. Last year, another pair stepped up to do even more damage, as Dominic Bolden (1,056 yards/nine touchdowns) and Jonathan Crawford (713 yards/six touchdowns) were the prime targets for Brock Smith during his senior campaign. Their combined 1,769 yards made them the second highest receiving tandem in program history.
"The wide receiver position is a position that is very intriguing to me," commented Rocco about his corps. "We have a number of different candidates that we are looking at. Once again, we really don't have the statistical superiority at the position going into this year like we had a year ago, but there certainly is talent in this position."
Two previously mentioned players are joined by another pair of frontrunners, as the leading candidates to see a majority of playing time. B.J. Hayes and Mike Brown enter the season listed as possible starters at one wide out position, while Jimmy Eden and Chris Summers had solid workouts last spring to help them rise to top the list of ample options at this position.
"Chris Summers is a big, tall and rangy sophomore receiver for us, who I think has a chance to be an outstanding player," stated Rocco about his 6-4 receiver, who gained valuable playing time in all 12 games as a redshirt freshman last year. Eden, along with Pat Kelly, are two youngsters who could see time during their first year on the field.
"Jimmy Eden and Pat Kelly are two young players in the program that show an awful a lot of promise and versatility," added Rocco.
New additions to the Flames' roster over the past six months also provide depth and previous collegiate playing experience. Ervin Garner, who transferred in January from Virginia Tech, and Freddy Brown, who graduated alongside quarterback Tommy Beecher at South Carolina in May, give Liberty experienced options.
"Ervin is a real speed athlete at wide receiver," stated Rocco. "Freddy Brown is another transfer that we are looking forward to getting into our program. He is tall and a physical receiver that I really think could offer some immediate impact."
Rocco also will be looking for depth at wide receiver from Chuck Duffey, who will be moving from cornerback back to his high school position of wide receiver, and Aaron Hewlett, another athlete who gives the Flames some much-needed speed outside.
"Chuck could have a prominent role in the wide receiver corps," continued Rocco, "while Aaron Hewlett is a senior, who is really starting to refine his game as a wide receiver."
But the eventual placement of Mike Brown and Hayes might really tell the story of how potent Liberty's wide outs might be in 2009. The pair were fourth and fifth, respectively, among wide receivers last year. Mike Brown finished the year with 19 receptions for 331 yards and a touchdown, while Hayes hauled in 17 passes for 189 yards.
"The two biggest cogs could be B.J. Hayes, who can function at receiver and at running back, plus the possibility of having Mike Brown at times out there at the wide receiver position," commented Rocco. "So you can see, there really is some versatility and flexibility in this year's version of our offense, especially at wide receiver."
OFFENSIVE LINE
Fans love numbers and stats, like yards and touchdowns, and although football coaches know they need these flashy figures to win football games, they are more importantly looking for productivity. Anyone familiar with Rocco knows and understands that he sees his most important unit on the offensive side of the field as his line, and in his opinion, the ability for his program to move the ball up and down the field lies within his front five. Two seasons ago, Rocco had one of the largest FCS offensive lines in the country, as Liberty's starting five averaged 6-5 and 297 pounds. Last year, a slightly smaller group continued the successes of their larger predecessors, proving key protection for starting quarterback Brock Smith and Walter Payton Award candidate Rashad Jennings. As a team, Liberty posted the second-highest rushing total in program history (2,562 yards) and finished the year ranked No. 13 nationally in rushing average (213.5 yards per game). Liberty's offensive line also enabled the Flames to finish the yeared rank No. 9 in total offense (446.67 yards per game) and No. 18 in scoring offense (33.67 points per game).
Liberty's Fab Five up front allowed only eight sacks, ranking the Flames No. 4 nationally in the fewest sacks allowed per game (0.67). The Flames also finished the year ranked No. 13 in first down offense, No. 4 in fewest tackles for a loss allowed and No. 2 in third-down conversion rate (51.0). As with most of the Flames' previously mentioned offensive positions, Liberty lost three key starters to graduation on its offensive line - Zach Davis (LT), Britt Stone (LG) and Mike Godsil (C). Stone and Godsil received Big South all-conference nods for their performances in 2008, while Godsil, who started 45 straight games under center for the Flames, was also a Sports Network honorable mention All-American.
"Those who have listened to me talk about our program before know that I think to be good on offense, you need to be good on the offensive line," stated Rocco. "And looking at this year's group, I think we are going to be in real good shape. We've got nine or 10 guys that we feel confident about, who can play winning football. I think the three seniors are the guys who are going to lead this group for us in 2009."
The three seniors that Rocco was speaking about are Mario Cosby, Bryan Mosier and Josh Weaver. The other players on this year's team understand the importance of this trio, as both Mosier and Weaver were selected along with Mike Brown, as this year's offensive team captains. Weaver and Mosier started all 12 games last year, while Cosby gained valuable playing experience as a reserve member of the offensive line.
"Josh Weaver, one of our senior offensive captains, had a great summer and an outstanding spring," said Rocco about his Big South preseason all-conference pick. "He has started a lot of football games around here for us, and we are expecting him to have an outstanding season.
"Bryan Mosier really is in great shape," continued Rocco about the player he has moved to left guard this year. "He is a big, strong and physical player, who has been a consistent starter for the past several seasons."
"The addition of Mario Cosby back to the roster at the center position has really given us three solid seniors on that offensive line," closed out Rocco when asked about his Big Three. "With Mosier, Cosby and Weaver, all three have good levels of experience and we have high expectations for their ability to perform."
Rounding out the projected starting five for Liberty on the offensive line are a pair of redshirt juniors in Justin Vargas and Alex Stadler. Stadler was one of the Flames' first guys off the bench in 2008 during his first year with the program after transferring from Alabama, as he played in all 12 games and started five. Vargas also got onto the field all 12 games, as the left guard has steadily seen his playing time increase during his career.
"Alex Stadler and Justin Vargas give us two big bodies to round out our starting five on the offensive line," stated Rocco. "They are both athletic and allow us to have the kind of presence on the offensive line that we like to have with size and guys that are athletic and physical type of players. I think those five guys are good players and players we can win a championship with right there on the offensive line."
Providing depth behind the aforementioned five is a solid mixture of returning players and newcomers to the program, all of whom Rocco expects to see on the field at times this upcoming season. At the tackle positions, Rocco will look to Tim Hartman, D.J. Sellman and Soeren Wendland to add depth, while Aaron Brown, Malcolm Boyd, Jay Weatherington and Toney White will battle for backup time at the guards.
"To offer some depth at the offensive tackle, Soeren Wendland was moved from defensive end to offensive tackle," commented Rocco. "He's got two years of eligibility left and we are grooming him to be a starter for his senior year."
Backing up Cosby at center will be Aaron Lundy and Matt Camire. "Aaron Lundy can be a very serviceable center for us and he's got four years of eligibility left," added Rocco. "Matt Camire is a junior in our program, who has a lot of versatility, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the lineup in some games at either center or guard.
"Overall, we are really excited about the potential of this offense, but again at this stage of the game, I think it is just that, potential," remarked Rocco when reflecting back on this thoughts about his offense overall. "We've got some guys who need to step up and it has been my experience through the years that guys will step up. When it is their turn and their senior year and they finally find themselves in the spotlight, they find a way to elevate their game. We are counting on a number of guys doing that this year."
DEFENSIVE LINE
When previewing this team position-by-position, Rocco was pleased to flip the page and start to talk about his defenders. Not to say that his offensive players are not talented, but the 20-plus year defensive coaching veteran knows that the other side of his depth chart seems to be much more solid heading into preseason training camp. The more experienced side of the field begins up front on the defensive line, starting with Trey Jacobs at right end. The Big South preseason all-conference selection doubled his career tackles total coming into 2008, as he finished the last season with 40 stops, including six tackles for a loss and four sacks. Also a key member of the Flames' special teams unit, Jacobs enters his final year in a Liberty uniform with four blocked kicks, leaving him one shy of the program record.
"Trey Jacobs is going into his senior year and he really has had an outstanding career for us," stated Rocco. "He will once again play the right defensive end position, as he certainly has earned a starting role there."
Flanking the Flames' defensive line on the other side will be Daryl Robertson, who returns for his second year with the program after transferring from Virginia Tech. During his first year as a reserve member on the line, the left end recorded 20 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and three pass breakups.
"Daryl Robertson came out of spring ball starting at the left end position," remarked Rocco. "He had a solid spring and he really seems to be on top of his game."
Liberty's cog in the middle of its defensive line truly solidifies the Flames' sizeable three up front, as Asa Chapman returns after playing in all 12 games as a true freshman in 2008. The 377-pounder finished the year with 10 stops and a tackle for a loss, and learned to improve his skills under the leadership of Colin Dugan, Liberty's all-conference starter at nose guard last year.
"Asa Chapman is starting for us at nose guard," said Rocco. "Asa is a big body and a hard-working kid. I think with Trey, Daryl and Asa, we've got three defensive linemen that really look the part. This is what you want your defensive front to look like in a 3-4 defense."
Backing up Jacobs and Robertson on the ends are four solid reserves in Terry Adams, Patrick Bannon, Stan Herring and Tim Smith. Bannon is the leading returning tackler among the group, as he recorded 28 stops during his sophomore season. However, he did so at the weak side linebacker position in 2008.
"We've moved Patrick from linebacker to defensive end, and he is really chomping at the bit to get back out there on the field at his new position," stated Rocco. "Terry Adams had an outstanding spring and brings some solid play and enthusiasm to this position."
Herring leads a list of younger players Rocco is excited about on the line, who could provide depth this season and solid play down the road. "We've got some younger players in the program, like Stan Herring, who is in his second year and he has got a bright future," added Rocco.
"We've also got two freshmen in the program, Steven Wilkes and Cory Freeman, who are big, tall, long, good-looking athletes. We've got a lot of depth on the defensive line and we are hoping to get a lot of different guys playing time."
Backing up Chapman at nose guard will be redshirt freshman Greg Schuster, followed by a true freshman, Bryant Lewellyn. "Behind Chapman at nose guard, we've got Greg Schuster, who is a very physical, hard-charging type of player," commented Rocco. "He has time a bright future. I think Chapman and Schuster will not necessarily split at nose guard, but they are both going to get a lot of plays during the course of the game, as we try to keep them fresh."
LINEBACKERS
Linebackers certainly play a key role inside a 3-4 defensive scheme, and 2008 continued to prove that point. Nick Hursky led the Flames in tackles, marking the eighth straight season a linebacker has led the team in total tackles. Hursky wrapped up his stellar career roaming the middle of the defensive field by finishing the year with 97 tackles, which ranked No. 41 nationally in tackles per game (8.8), giving the four-year veteran 270 career stops and 25 tackles for a loss. Two seniors will look to carry the mantle left by Hursky, as the Flames will be looking to leadership from Ian Childress and Wes Cheek at linebacker in 2009. Childress was a welcomed surprise for Rocco, as the strong side linebacker was granted a fifth year of eligibility by the NCAA because of a medical hardship suffered during his freshman season, where he only played in a single game in 2005.
"Our linebacking corps is deep and we were excited to hear that it got deeper with the return of Ian Childress," commented Rocco about the senior who ranked fourth on the squad last year with 59 tackles.
Cheek, who was elected one of three defensive team captains, returns for his second year as a linebacker, after making the switch to the position last year. During his first go around as a linebacker, Cheek was tied for eighth on the squad with 44 tackles, including five tackles for a loss and five pass breakups. Joining Cheek and Childress among the list of projected starters at linebacker are Doncel Bolt and Chad Brown in the middle linebacker positions. Brown is coming off a solid season, where he tied for sixth on the squad with 48 tackles, while Bolt tallied 20 stops during his first season with the Flames.
"The inside linebacker position once again has a lot of competition," commented Rocco. "We are really looking at four guys. I think right now that Doncel Bolt and Chad Brown are the two guys who came out of spring as the starters, but Kyle O'Donnell and Pierre Tinsley are right there and that gives us some flexibility with our rotation."
O'Donnell and Tinsley saw limited action last year at inside linebacker, as compared to Liberty's key reserve and potential starter on the outside in Jamal Giddens. As a true freshman, he finished the year with 29 tackles, including 15 solo tackles. Also vying for playing time in 2009 at linebacker will be Mike Connolly, Marques Jenkins and Demetrius Ward, according to Rocco.
"Mike Connolly is another outside linebacker who is going to be an outstanding player for us and we need to find ways to get him on the field," added Rocco. "Demetrius Ward is a young, first-year player in our program, who we will be playing at outside linebacker. Marques Jenkins is a transfer from Ole Miss who looks the part, and I think that before the end of the season, he is going to find himself in a lot of situations where he is playing for us.
"When I look at our linebacker positions, I see a group that is talented, deep and experienced," stated Rocco when summarizing his linebackers. "This is exciting, as we try to get the right combinations of guys in the game at the right time and to keep guys fresh thought the course of the game."
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The theme of experience on the defensive side of the field continued when Rocco was previewing his team, punctuated by three seniors who are slated to start in the defensive backfield. Leading the way are a pair of preseason Big South all-conference selections in Chris Rocco and Tim Torrence.
"In the secondary, we've got two seniors that we are really excited about in Chris Rocco and Tim Torrence," stated Liberty's head coach.
Rocco had an outstanding season in 2008, finishing second on the squad with 78 tackles, after coming into his junior year with a combined 28 stops during his first two years on the field. He tied for the team lead with seven pass breakups and managed to force three fumbles, a figure which was tied for the fourth best single-season mark in program history. Torrence posted impressive numbers of his own, giving Liberty three defensive backs among the team's Top 6 tacklers, as the cornerback finished the year with 48 stops. He was also tied for third on the team with six tackles for a loss. Joining Rocco and Torrence in the projected starting spots in the backfield are returning senior Donald Manns and redshirt sophomore Larry Claiborne. Manns sat out the 2008 season after suffering a year-ending injury during August training camp. During his most recent year of competition, the projected starting left cornerback recorded 19 stops in 2007. The lone youngster among this group is Claiborne, who finished his redshirt freshman year with 19 tackles and three pass breakups, while seeing playing time in all 12 games.
"The safety position right now is going to be Chris Rocco and Larry Claiborne," stated Rocco. "But, we have a number of guys who we think can offer some legitimate depth backing them up."
Leading that talented pool of contenders are Brandon Robinson and Kajuan Lee, who both had solid years during their first season on the field in 2008. Robinson finished the season with 14 tackles, seven solo and seven assisted, to go along with three pass breakups, while Lee followed closely behind with eight tackles, five of which were solo.
"The corner position looks like it is going to be Donald Manns and Tim Torrence," projected Rocco. "We've got great competition with Kajuan Lee, Brandon Robinson and Brandon Saunders. But once again, we've got depth and competition to be able to make some decisions."
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Flames' special teams have certainly lived up to their name in recent years and the 2008 season was not any different. The Flames were one of the nation's best punt and kickoff return teams in the nation in 2008. Liberty ranked No. 12 nationally in average punt return yardage (14.16), while individually, Dominic Bolden ranked No. 3 nationally in the statistical category. The Sports Network third-team All-America punt returner averaged 18.12 yards per return and was one of one eight players nationally to return more than one punt for a touchdown, as two of his 17 punt returns on the year went for a score. Bolden and Jonathan Crawford shared kickoff return duties, enabling Liberty to finish the year ranked No. 21 as a team by averaging 22.05 yards per return. Crawford followed suit with Bolden and was ranked No. 31 in the nation, while scoring once on his 19 returns during the course of the year. Senior leadership helped the Flames excel in the return game, but younger players took over the reins in the kicking game.
Matt Bevins was a three-time Big South Freshman of the Week honoree, as he finished third on the team in scoring with 56 points. That figure was is good enough for the fifth-most points scored in a season by a freshman in program history. He was 12-of-16 on field goal attempts, which ranks third-best in program history for total field goals in a season, and was 20-of-21 on point after attempts.
"When you look at our kicking game, I'm excited about a number of things," commented Rocco. "First and foremost, Matt Bevins is back for his second year and Matt is a very talented player. He will handle a majority of our kickoffs, if not all of them, and most of the field goals, as well."
Battling for time on short-yardage field goals and extra points will be Ben Shipps and Paul Young. Shipps had a solid year in 2008, connecting on 18-of-19 PATs and 5-of-6 field goals to finish fifth on the team with 33 points. Young suffered a season-ending injury during the second game of the year, but looks to be fully healthy coming into 2009. Returning for his second year as the Flames' projected punter is Mike Larsson, who also suffered an injury midyear that left him out of four games. During his eight games of action, Larsson averaged 35.6 yards per punt (17 punts, 605 yards). Bevins handled punting duties while he was gone, averaging 40.9 yards per punt (14 punts, 572 yards).
"Last year, our kicking game was really up in the air, but I think going into the 2009 season, we are as far along as we have ever been," stated Rocco. "We have some capable quality guys in place, guys that have some experience, but fortunately for us they are still young and could have some very bright futures."
The kick return duties will fall into the hands of some of the fastest guys the program has seen in recent years. Mike Brown is slated to lead a group that do includes Jimmy Eden, Ervin Garner, B.J. Hayes and Aaron Hewlett, giving Liberty some definite potential in the return game.
SCHEDULE
When Liberty announced its 2009 slate last September, the Flames were pleased to present the program's first-ever all Division I slate. However, one of the Flames' scheduled foes dropped its program (Iona), forcing Liberty to find a substitute. Despite the schedule change, Rocco is still pleased with the 11-game schedule that awaits his talented squad.
"I think it is a really exciting schedule," stated Rocco. "I believe this is like anything else you do, as you have to build toward your goals. We have been able to build some confidence in our program and develop some positive habits including winning, which has enabled us to assemble such a schedule."
Liberty opens the 2009 season against BIG EAST national powerhouse West Virginia in Morgantown, W.Va., on Sept. 5. The contest marks the Flames' return to FBS match-ups, as the 2008 season brought to a close a stretch of nine-straight years in which Liberty had faced off against a FBS opponent. The Flames will be tangling with their second foe from the BIG EAST Conference in program history, as Liberty previously faced off against Connecticut on Sept. 10, 2005.
"We are opening the season at West Virginia, who is truly a national power," continued Rocco. "Their program has been outstanding for quite a while, and it is certainly a marquee game for us. We are looking forward to the challenge and it will help us stay focused in the offseason and during training camp as we are going to need to play well early on in 2009."
Following the road opener, the Flames will play three out of their next four games at home, leading up to a weekend off on Oct. 10. Liberty opens up its 2009 home slate against North Carolina Central on Sept. 12, before completing a home-and-home series by traveling to Easton, Pa., to face Lafayette on Sept. 19. On Sept. 26, Liberty welcomes the return of in-state opponent James Madison to its schedule and the Dukes' first trip to Williams Stadium since 2001. The Flames and the Dukes have a long-standing series, one in which James Madison holds a 9-5 edge. The contest will culminate an important weekend in the history of the Athletics Department, as Liberty will be officially inducting its first-ever Athletics Hall of Fame class when the Dukes come to town.
The Flames will welcome West Virginia Wesleyan to Lynchburg on Oct. 3, their schedule change following the Iona situation, for the middle game of a three-game homestand, before opening up Big South play against conference rival Coastal Carolina on Oct. 17. The match-up with the Chanticleers begins a six-game stretch where Liberty will close out the 2009 campaign in Big South action and look to pick up its third-straight league championship. On Oct. 24, the Flames travel to Charleston, S.C., to face off against Charleston Southern, before returning to Williams Stadium to welcome Presbyterian (Oct. 31) and VMI (Nov. 7). Liberty will close out its 2009 schedule with back-to-back road games, traveling to Boiling Springs, N.C., for a Nov. 14 match-up with Gardner-Webb and finished with a Nov. 21 meeting with Stony Brook on Long Island in Stony Brook, N.Y.
"I think this year is the right year to have such a schedule, as we have put together in 2009," concluded Rocco. "This schedule is going to give us an opportunity to gain some additional exposure for our program and our conference."