On Tuesday, Liberty quarterback Chris Ferguson, wide receiver DJ Stubbs, and running back Joshua Mack took questions from the media. There was a wide range questions and below is ASOR’s report from the player interviews…
MULTIPLE QBs GETTING PREPARED
With Liberty quarterback Malik Willis fighting back from injuring his left elbow late in the game against FIU Saturday, the Flames are making sure Chris Ferguson and Johnathan Bennett get additional reps this week.
“We’re kind of doing first and second team, similar kind of stuff, Malik day to day, those kind of things,” Ferguson said. “We just got to keep staying ready, whatever it is. Me and JB got to get more reps, obviously, in case that is the case. Just got to stay ready, keep getting the reps as we put in a different game plan, whatever it is. Obviously, the game plan will look a little different if I’m in or Malik’s in.”
FERGUSON HAPPY TO GET SOME LIVE REPS
It was the first time since he got injured in a game last Oct. 12 against Richmond that Ferguson has played in a game.
“It was exciting to get out there and play with those guys,” he said. “That was a blessing. Definitely God’s got me this far and got me healthy. I’m in a great place that got me taken care of every day and able to make sure I have all the resources and access to things that ended up getting me better and healthy and back ready to play.”
MACK & FERGUSON BACK ON THE FIELD TOGETHER
In 2016 and 2017, the starting backfield for Maine was Chris Ferguson and Joshua Mack. Now, they’re back on the field together at a different school.
“When he left, I never thought that I would be here on the field with him again, which is pretty funny,” Ferguson said. “We kind of made that joke going out on the field. It was good to have him out there. Definitely a comfortability for me to be next to somebody that I was next to for two years.”
“It was nice,” Mack said of the reunion. “We were out there on the field talking about it during our victory formation. This is kind of good that we won because I got to joke about his first fumble. It was nice.”
MACK CONFIDENT IN ALL LU QBs
Running back Joshua Mack said he is comfortable with all of Liberty’s quarterbacks and doesn’t worry about who will get the start Saturday.
“We have confidence in all of our quarterbacks,” Mack said. “If it’s Chris, if it’s JB, we have confidence in them going out there and taking the next step from where Malik left it. Even if he doesn’t play, I don’ think it will hurt us.”
FLAMES PLAYING WITH A LOT OF CONFIDENCE
Liberty is now 10-3 with head coach Hugh Freeze on the sideline. As you remember, Freeze was in the press box the first two games last season as he fought back from a serious staph infection in his back. The Flames lost both of those games before winning 8 of the final 11 games in 2019.
“This time last year, Coach Freeze had his back problems,” said Mack. “We didn’t have the vibes from him early in the season as we did late in the season. I think that plays into it. We get to see him jumping on the sidelines with us, him dancing with us in meetings. So, we’re kind of carrying off of his swagger, his energy. Last year, we didn’t really get to see the type of demeanor he would be until the second half of the season. Now, that we’ve been able to see that early on in spring ball, to summer, to now, we’re just picking up the swag and keeping the mountain on fire.”
STUBBS EXCITED FOR SPOT ON ESPN
DJ Stubbs found a spot on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays this past weekend following his highlight reel catch in the end zone against FIU.
“It was my first time on ESPN,” he said. “Getting recognized for something I did was really special to me. I love ESPN. I watch ESPN on the daily.”
MACK ON THE NBA FINALS
Who is Joshua Mack rooting for in the NBA Finals?
“I’m a Celtics fan, I don’t want no one to win now.”
