Quarterback

Josh Woodrum – 16/30, 260yds 2TD

The senior quarterback began his evening as perfectly as Turner Gill and his staff could have drawn up, leading the Flames on a 10 play drive lasting nearly six minutes that ended in a 4yd touchdown pass to Des Rice. Flames Nation wouldn’t have to wait long for the next score. On the very first play of the Flames’ next offensive possession, Woodrum broke the game wide open with a 72 bomb to Dante Shells. Another explosive passing play at the beginning of the second quarter, a 43 yard completion to Darrin Peterson, highlighted another long scoring drive that gave the Flames a 17-12 lead at the end of the first half. Although the offense slowed considerably in the second half, the early work of Josh Woodrum set the tone early and Liberty rode it to a massive win on Saturday night. Grade: A-

Running Backs

DJ Abnar – 8car 58yds 1TD    Des Rice – 20car 49yds

We knew going into the season that the running game wouldn’t be the strength of Liberty’s offense. That being said, the Flames’ rushing attack was complimented the passing game nicely. Des Rice and DJ Abnar combined for over 100 yards and a touchdown. Grade: B shellsWide Receivers

Dante Shells – 3 rec 111yds 2TD     Zac Parker – 6 rec 101yds

The receiving corps followed up an impressive performance in Morgantown with an even better outing Saturday night against Montana. Dante Shells was standout this week, hauling in a 72yd TD pass from Woodrum in the first and 32 yd TD reception from freshman WR Damian King in the second. Zac Parker was Josh’s favorite target on the night, racking up 6 receptions included a huge 39yd completion on 3rd and 11 on Liberty’s first possession. Grade: A

Defensive Line

Chima Uzowihe – 2 tackles, 2 sacks       JaRon Green – 3 tackles, 1 sack        Erwin Dessources – 4 tackles, fumble recovery

The defensive line looked like the strength of this Liberty squad through the first two weeks and certainly didn’t disappoint in week three. Chima led the unit with 2 out of the 6 sacks on Montana’s backup quarterback, Chad Chalich. DT Nolan Spicer made what might have been the play of the game when he forced a fumble on the goal line in the third, saving what would have been the go ahead score for the Griz. Grade: A jamesLinebackers

Nick Newman – 5 tackles, 1 for loss          Jimmy O’Grady – 4 tackles

Flames linebackers completely neutralized Montana’s running game Saturday night, allowing only 21 yards on 26 attempts. Another impressive stat that shows how incredibly well Liberty’s defensive played on Saturday night: Montana’s 3rd down conversion rate. Montana was a dreadful 3-16. Grade: A

Defensive Backs

Tyrin Holloway, Alpha Jalloh – 5 tackles                                

After shutting out Montana until nearly five minutes before the end of the first half, Montana’s backup quarterback, Chad Chalich led a ferocious comeback that all but erased an impressive 17-0 that Woodrum & Co. had built up to that point. This five minute stretch was highlighted by completions of 43 and 70 yards that could have resulted in the Flames trailing at half time despite a spectacular start to the contest. Fortunately, the pass defense was brilliant the remainder of the evening. The play of the defensive backs was a major factor in holding Montana to one touchdown in six red zone visits. Grade: B+