The Liberty football team rebounded in a big way from last week’s season opening defeat at the hands of the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Flames jumped on top on the opening possession, 7-0, and never looked back. The offense was clicking on all cylinders, as they tallied more total yards in the 1st quarter against Jacksonville than they did in the entire game against the Hokies. LU would go on to defeat the non-scholarship, Pioneer Football League Jacksonville Dolphins, 55-7.
GAME BALLS
Stephon Masha: After a dreadful opening week at Virginia Tech, the Flames’ starting quarterback found a nice rhythm against Jacksonville. He finished the game completing 13 of 19 passes for 181 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. His interception wasn’t his fault as he hit Damian King in the hands in the end zone, but King couldn’t hang on and the ball was deflected into a JU defender’s hands.
Solomon McGinty: The Flames’ safeties were short-handed, but the JUCO transfer stepped up in a big way. He made his presence known on the 2nd play of the game, and set the tone for the defense on the evening. McGinty finished with 8 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles and 1 interception.
Brandon Tillmon: The true freshman found out he was going to start just before Friday’s walk-thru as he started in place of the suspended Corbin Jackson. Tillmon finished the game with 8 tackles and 2 tackles for loss.
RANKING THE TOP PLAYS FROM THE GAME
- B.J. Farrow made a SportsCenter Top 10 play worthy, one-handed touchdown catch in the back of the end zone for the Flames’ first score of the game. It put Liberty up 7-0, less than 5 minutes into the game.
- Just 2 plays after Farrow’s spectacular catch, McGinty forced his way into the backfield to force a fumble and caused a 7 yard loss for the Dolphins. His play set the tone for the defense.
- We hadn’t seen Alex Probert attempt a field goal during live action on the collegiate level until the final play of the first half against Jacksonville. The true freshman drilled the 44 yarder.
- Stephon Masha had a beautiful pass which traveled 40 yards in the air and hit Dante Shells right on the money for a touchdown pass in the 3rd quarter. We know Masha is a dynamic athlete and can affect the game with his legs, this week he affected the game with his arm.
- McGinty baited Jacksonville’s quarterback Ryan Wells into an interception. The pick came in the 2nd quarter when the game was still in hand at 14-0, his interception and Liberty’s touchdown 6 plays later ensured the route was on.
WHAT IT MEANS
It definitely feels better than last week. All 3 phases of the team were playing very well, offense, defense, and special teams. Of course, the competition was much different, going from an ACC opponent to a non-scholarship team from the Pioneer Football League. The offense was clicking all night, which at the least helps with the team’s confidence. Masha looked comfortable leading the team, and he was poised making his reads and throws. Stephon led the offense to more than 500 total offensive yards, and he did so while having only one rushing attempt, putting to bed the notion of any quarterback controversy.
Coach Gill challenged the offensive line to control the line of scrimmage, and they did so in a big way. They allowed zero sacks, and I can’t even remember either quarterback feeling any pressure all night. The line, which had 8 false starts called on them a week ago, saw that number reduce to 2 with both of them coming in the 4th quarter by a 3rd stringer. The line paved the way for Liberty’s 3-headed monster at running back who paced the Flames en route to 319 rushing yards and 6.3 yards per rush.
LOOKING AHEAD
The competition will intensify greatly the next two weeks when Liberty travels to SMU next week and then plays host to Jacksonville State the following week. The Flames will be seeking its 3rd win over an FBS opponent in as many years when they take the field against the Mustangs in Dallas, Texas.
SMU is a member of the American Athletic Conference. The Mustangs are currently 1-1 on the season after falling to Baylor, 40-13 on Saturday. They opened the season with a 34-21 win over North Texas. Chad Morris is in his 2nd season as head coach of SMU after spending 4 years as Clemson’s offensive coordinator.
It will be a homecoming of sorts for 9 Flames that call Texas home.
BY THE NUMBERS
5 | After having 13 penalties a week ago, the Flames had just 5 penalties on the evening with 2 of them coming late in the game by 3rd string offensive lineman Devin Crisp.
319 | Liberty rushed for 319 yards against Jacksonville. It’s the first time the team rushed for over 300 yards since 2013 against Morgan State.
8/8 | Liberty quarterback Stephon Masha started the game completing all of his first 8 passes. Quite the improvement from a week ago when he was just 9-for-25 for the game.
4 | The defense forced 4 turnovers against Jacksonville, the same number they forced against Virginia Tech. It brought a smile to Coach Gill’s face in the press conference (never happens) when it was mentioned.
THEY SAID IT
Flames head coach Turner Gill on his challenge to both lines:
“We talked about our D-line and our O-line, we told them that they got to control this football game. I kinda called them out a little bit today. Making sure that they gotta take care of their business. If they don’t, then we’re going to be in trouble. So, I’m glad to see my D-line and my offensive line respond.”
Safety Brandon Tillmon on the defense holding the option in check:
“Definitely this week we focused a lot on stopping the option, and just the fits we had to make. D-line they gave us a great push at the line of scrimmage, they really controlled it. Linebackers were able to run sideline to sideline, having fits. They allowed the safeties just to run the alleys and just get fit in the assignments and clean everything up.”
Running back Todd Macon on the play of the 3 running backs:
“We’ve got 3 different running backs, we got a power house back there. I mean, you stop one, you got to stop the other one. It’s just good to have all 3 of us back there. When one’s down, the other one will go back in, it’s just good.”
Running back Frankie Hickson on running behind the O-line:
“Well, first of all I just have to thank the offensive linemen, first of all. I love those guys. I’d run behind them any day of the week and twice on Sunday and Saturday.”
Quarterback Stephon Masha on the improvement of the offense:
“Coming off last week was very devastating. Offense didn’t produce, didn’t move the ball as we should have. So, we really went in this week, handling business every day this week. Making sure we execute, coming out first drive of the game scoring. So, we can just be consistent with that throughout the game. Giving us a boost of confidence, seeing the ball move positively down the field.”
Safety Solomon McGinty on returning home to Texas next week to face SMU:
“Oh yeah, family they was contacting me before the Virginia Tech game. I had to calm them down, and tell them one game at a time. Yeah, I’m excited about going back home and everything. Just got to prepare like every other week. Can’t get caught up in just going back home. I’m going back home to take care of business.”
