The Liberty Flames return to action after an unexpected bye week early in the season following the postponement of the Norfolk State game. Liberty is 4-2 following bye weeks under Coach Gill.

The Flames are set to face off against North Texas who is fresh off a 44-17 win at Arkansas last Saturday. With the win, the Mean Green improved to 3-0 for the first time since 1989. Liberty head coach Turner Gill was on the sidelines for that UNT team as ’89 was his first year as a coach, serving as a volunteer graduate assistant at North Texas for 1 season. Gill would go on to earn a bachelor’s degree in behavior analysis from North Texas in 1990. We further detailed this connection between Gill and North Texas earlier this week.

Coach Gill and his staff used the extra time off, thanks to the threat of Hurricane Florence, to help recover from some bumps and bruises that the team had obtained over the first couple weeks of the season. The team also got a jump start on preparation for North Texas.

“I can definitely say, up to date, they are definitely the best team to come to Williams Stadium, no question about that, at this point in time,” Coach Gill said of the Mean Green. “This is a big game in the history of Liberty University, bringing a team of this caliber (in to Lynchburg). They are very talented. They are in the top 5 or 10 (in the country) in all offensive categories. I’m glad they are coming to Williams Stadium to play us.”

Both Liberty and North Texas tout very explosive passing attacks as each are ranked in the top 15 of all FBS teams in passing. The Flames are 14th in the country with 330 passing yards per game while the Mean Green rank 3rd with 398.7 yards per game. Both teams also are led by very dynamic, junior quarterbacks in Buckshot Calvert and Mason Fine. Calvert and Fine are 2 of only 7 returning FBS quarterbacks who had 250 completions, 3,000 passing yards, and 25 passing touchdowns in 2017.

Coach Gill calls the UNT offense one of the best offenses that Liberty will face this season. Calling the plays for the offense is offensive coordinator Graham Harrell. Harrell excelled on the gridiron at Texas Tech, where he threw for over 15,000 yards and was 4th in the 2008 Heisman trophy voting. He then went on to a successful professional career including time as Aaron Rodgers’ backup in Green Bay.

Harrell has brought a run-pass option (RPO) offense with him to Denton. They don’t waste time making decisions, as Fine utilizes a passing game to find receivers and running backs on quick slants and screens. He’s not a 5-7 step drop back quarterback, he gets the ball out and gets it out quickly.

“(He’s a) quick release, accurate passer,” Gill said of Fine who has thrown for 1,143 yards and 8 touchdowns through 3 games in 2018. “He understands their offense. When he sees something, he knows where he’s going right away with the ball. He can make throws off-balance, on the run. He’s very, very talented, and they use their schemes to take advantage of his abilities. You can see it on tape. Their offense fits what he can do. He can be innovative. He can run too. He’s not going to run a whole lot, but when he does take off running he is successful.”

“If he knows pressure is coming, the ball is coming out,” defensive coordinator Robert Wimberly said. “We need to disguise some things, (we) have to have some pressure in the game plan to try to disrupt him. He does an excellent job reading coverages.”

Liberty defensive end Juwan Wells echoed that sentiment. “He likes to get the ball out quick. When he gets pressure, he’s not going to stand back there all day, he’s going to tuck it and run. You never want to let a quarterback of his caliber to just sit in the pocket, stay confident, and throw the ball wherever he wants.”

In addition to Fine, the Mean Green has several talented offensive players including 4 receivers – Rico Bussey, Jr., Jaelon Darden, Michael Lawrence, and Jalen Guyton. This foursome has combined for 57 receptions, 783 yards, and 7 touchdowns through the first 3 games this season. UNT also returns 4 offensive linemen and 2 tight ends from the talented and productive 2017 unit.

With all of the quick and short passing patterns, tackling will be important, as it always is, on Saturday night.

“We have to do a good job of being able to tackle in space,” Wimberly said. “(Our young men) understand we have to keep the ball in front of us Saturday in order for us to have an opportunity for success. We have to keep the ball in front, and we have to tackle. (We need to) make sure we make their offense earn the field and not give up a quick 60-65 yard touchdown. That not only changes the dynamic of the game, but it also builds the confidence of North Texas. They put tremendous stress on the defense. It’s going to boil down to our ability to slow down Mason Fine, and, so far, that’s been a tough task this year.”

On defense, the Mean Green have gone from a 2017 team that allowed over 400 yards of offense and 35 points per game to a unit that is holding opponents under 300 yards of offense and 18.7 points per game. They’ve also become a havoc creating defense, with 9 interceptions and 11 sacks in 3 games.

“They’ve played a lot of football,” Liberty offensive coordinator Joe Dailey said. “Only 1 of 11 starters is a sophomore, the rest are juniors and seniors. They’ve seen a lot of formations. They are very familiar with how people are going to attack them. Their offense has shown them a plethora. They are well prepared.”

Buckshot will have to make sure he’s progressing through his targets on each play, instead of settling on his #1 or #2 option, especially with a defense that likes to create havoc. Calvert has always been steady with the ball, having thrown just 16 interceptions in 24 games played during his collegiate career.

When facing a prolific offense on the other side of the ball, the Flames’ offensive unit has to be productive with its drives.

“We have to make sure we’re scoring points, and every drive is ending in a kick,” Dailey said. “We can’t give this guy (Fine) a short field, and give him an opportunity to turn around and throw the ball all over the place.”

With an over/under currently set at 70 and prolific offenses on both sides, the scoreboard operators could be busy Saturday night. Buckshot is looking forward to the challenge.

“I love putting points on the board, I love watching my team put points on the board. It’s a great feeling.”

The key matchup Saturday night will be between each team’s receivers and their counterparts at defensive back. Both sides have talented receivers and QBs with the ability to sling the ball all over the field. One side will make more plays than the other, simple as that.

“There’s going to be some 50/50 balls and we have to win those,” Gill said. “When you’re at the FBS level, there’s no room for error. If you’re not at your top game, you will be exposed.”

“(In a) 1-on-1 matchup, can our young men handle being able to compete for the ball,” Wimberly stated when discussing his secondary’s ability to slow down this passing attack.

In what will be Liberty’s 2nd ever game against a Conference USA opponent, the first was just a couple weeks ago against Old Dominion, the Flames hope to make a statement on a big stage. The coaching staff spoke about the increased energy among the players this week after North Texas’ win over Arkansas, but they’re also excited about the opportunity lying in front of them.

“This is what you dream for, an opportunity to play at the highest level” Wimberly said of the game. “A home game, that has so much meaning, especially early in the season, when you have a great opponent coming in like North Texas, you realize what the opportunity brings. It definitely amps up your focus.”

“As coaches, we get thrilled about these types of games coming up,” echoed Gill. “We’re excited, it’s a great opportunity. They have an outstanding quarterback, we have an outstanding quarterback. It should be a great football game.”

Prediction

North Texas 37, Liberty 27

This is the prototypical trap game for a team like North Texas – coming off a huge win, against what most think an inferior opponent, and before conference play begins. Will they come out flat? They certainly could, but coach Seth Littrell will have his team prepared. Under Gill, Liberty has always performed better against pass-heavy teams. This game should be no different, but the Mean Green are a few years ahead of Liberty right now, and they will find a way to gut out a tough road win.