Liberty with an impressive win over future Big South member Monmouth 45-15. Here’s a few quick hit notes following the win:

Offense:

  • Darrin Peterson continues to show well in his first couple of games as a starter. In both games he has gone over 100 yards receiving, and has looked the part of a go-to receiver. Both Woodrum & Peterson are sophomores and should prove to be a deadly combo over the next 3 years. He even got in a pass on the double reverse in the 3rd quarter.
  • Desmond Rice underwhelmed last week against Kent State rushing for just 7 yards. Against Monmouth he showed much better going for 50 yards and 1 touchdown. It will be interesting to see how the running back carries are distributed next week with Aldreakis Allen getting back in the fold.
  • Quarterback Josh Woodrum had a solid outing passing for 237 yards, 2 touchdowns, and the 1 interception in the 1st quarter.
  • Wide receiver Dante Shells looked good early; he finished with 4 catches for 68 yards and 1 reverse rush for 8 yards.

Defense:

  • Just an overall solid performance by the defense. Outside of the onside kick goof in the 1st half, Monmouth doesn’t score. The Hawks had just 4 first downs in the first half and only 13 rushing yards and 75 total yards. The Hawks’ first drive ended in a safety after punter Grant Bowden pinned Monmouth at the 1.
  • Julian Hayes went for 135 yards last week against #2 Montana State, but the Flames D held him to just 5 yards in the 1st half. He finished with 46 yards on 14 carries.
  • In the 1st half, 4 of Monmouth’s 8 drives were of the 3 & out variety. 1 other drive was just 2 plays and ended with a Kevin Fogg interception returned for a touchdown.
  • Speaking of Fogg, he finished with 2 interceptions, the one returned for a touchdown and one he picked off in the Hawks’ end zone.

Other:

  • John Lunsford’s kickoffs continue to be a weapon for the Flames. He continues to boot them deep into or even out of the back of the end zone. No need to worry about the other team’s returners.
  • Not sure what Gill was thinking with that onside kick call. At the time, Liberty was dominating the game, and that play started to turn the tide in Monmouth’s favor. In the end it didn’t really affect the outcome, but it was a questionable call at the time.
  • Announced attendance was 18,467, and the enthusiasm in the stadium in the 1st half was one of the best in recent memory.