Liberty head football coach Hugh Freeze met with the media Thursday following practice as the team continues to prepare for Saturday’s homecoming game against Maine.
FREEZE HAPPY WITH PRACTICE ENERGY
“I thought we had a really, really good Tuesday practice, Wednesday so-so, today was good. I thought we executed the game plan well offensively. I haven’t talked to the defensive staff yet. Excited to play Saturday, I feel like it’s been forever. I expect us to play better offensively, I always do, I just feel like were close to starting to execute better.”
MAINE’S DEFENSE HAS BEEN STRONG
“Most games have been in the 20s, so they’re not giving up a lot of points. They got one of the better defensive tackles we’ve seen, their ends are active, their secondary is well coached and in the right spot. It’s a good challenge for us coming off the break and see how we execute. They’re an impressive team that can beat you. They’ve been right there almost every game except for one. Winning football games are not easy, they are a scary team.”
PREPARED FOR BOTH OF MAINE’S QBs
“You’d always like to know exactly who you’re getting. We’ve prepared for both. If they do something that hurts us with either the first-teamer or the second-teamer, it won’t be because we haven’t worked on it were prepared for it.”
LIBERTY STUDENTS WERE INVITED TO THURSDAY’S PRACTICE
“I’ve always done that after about midpoint of the season most every place I’ve been. I started it at Arkansas State carried it on to Ole Miss. About every two weeks we will have a practice that the students can come to hang out with the guys, get to meet some of them, see where they’re from, tell them thank you for supporting us. It’s something we will do from here on out if the weather cooperates.”
INJURY UPDATE
“(CB Emanuel) Dabney is doubtful. He hurt his hamstring again in Sunday’s practice, just didn’t look like to me that he will be ready. Everyone else will be ready. Devonte Lloyd, he probably will not be back this year. William Green, we’re trying to red-shirt him too. The DBs that were out are all back.”
“(LB Brandon Tillmon) is going to struggle all year with that injury. It’s just not going to get well, it’s just going to be from week to week what his pain level is like really. He’s got a little fracture in his foot, I believe. It’s one they believe is safe for him to play with, as far as not injuring it any further, but it’s going to be painful.”
FREEZE’S FIRST HOMECOMING AT LU
“I don’t know what to expect, homecoming is always different at the different places. I worry about the game, but I talked to Kelvin (Edwards), sent him a text either Saturday or Sunday last week. I’m excited to see him, he’s very deserving. I know he will be here (Friday) hopefully. I will be able to meet some of his other teammates and tell them thank you for laying the foundation. I hope a lot of people get back and enjoy, it looks like it will be a beautiful weekend.”
LIGHTER PRACTICE THURSDAY
“We backed off a little today because we pushed them Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday which is not normal. Normally it’s just Tuesday and Wednesday. So, we had gone three days in pads this week trying to set a tone for season two. Strength coach felt like we overloaded some, so we backed off some today. They’re feeling pretty good today. I want them to play confident and with a swagger but a focused swagger and confidence not a loosey-goosey, confident type. They seem to be locked in (today). Because of the extra practice we were able to hone in today with our calls on 3rd and 1, tight red zone and had very few mistakes.”
FREEZE HAD CONVO WITH JOSHUA MACK ON FACING FORMER TEAM
“I probably didn’t listen a whole lot. I said, ‘Listen, this is another game. People transfer all the time. You’re not special, you’re not unique with that.’ He didn’t know how to take me at first. I don’t mean this negatively, I’m just saying it’s a game and you prepare accordingly. You’re not the first to transfer and play a former school and former teammates. I thought he had a great week.”
