A few quick hit notes following Liberty’s loss to Kennesaw State, 42-28:

  • Kennesaw State’s offense ran all over the Flames’ defense all night featuring their triple option attack. Entering tonight’s game, the Owls’ season-high for rushing yardage was 346 yards. They surpassed that number early in the 3rd quarter and had over 400 rushing yards before the 3rd quarter was over. The Owls finished with 498 rushing yards. The most rushing yards Liberty has ever allowed was 509 against Delaware State in 1984.
  • Liberty had two weeks to prepare for KSU, but the Owls looked like the better prepared team tonight. Liberty had no answer for their offense. The Owls consistently got at least 5-6 yards on first down, setting themselves up with 2nd down and 3rd down & short. It’s not very difficult for a triple option team to continue to move the ball when facing 2nd & 4s and 3rd & 1s. Kennesaw State was very good on 3rd and 4th down conversions, finishing the game 10/17 on 3rd down conversions.
  • This is Liberty’s first 3 game losing streak since losing 4 straight to open the 2012 season, Turner Gill’s first season as head coach.
  • The Flames trailed 35-7 with 4:33 left in the 3rd quarter, and went on to score 21 straight points to get within one score giving the team hope momentarily. However, Kennesaw State responded with a touchdown with 3 minutes left in the game to put it out of reach.
  • Damian King was injured in the 3rd quarter and was immediately helped to the locker room.
  • It will be interesting to see how this team responds after this loss. We already know there’s nothing to play for in terms of a conference championship or FCS playoffs, and now the team will have a very difficult team playing for a “paper” Big South title.
  • The Flames head to New Jersey next week to face the 5-1 Monmouth Hawks who defeated Liberty on its last trip to West long Branch.
  • Outside of football, there were a few interesting happenings during the game. Jerry Falwell, Jr’s son and daughter-in-law are expecting their first child. During a timeout in the first half they did a gender reveal by throwing pink ribbons into the crowd to announce the baby girl on the way. During halftime, Jerry Jr and honorary captain Rashad Jennings joined the band for the halftime show and dance and played drums with members of the band. Also at halftime, Liberty student and NASCAR driver William Byron revealed the new paint scheme on his new Liberty car.