The Liberty Flames head to Bowling Green, Kentucky to kick off the 2020 season against Western Kentucky (0-1).

“We’ve got a great challenge ahead of us against a team that is expected to compete for a conference championship in Conference USA with 26 returning seniors and 50 juniors and seniors,” said Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze. “So, it’s a very mature team that won 9 games last year and certainly are going to be a great test for us to open the season.”

The Hilltoppers lost their season opener a week ago at Louisville, 35-21. Their defense was the catalyst a season ago, finishing in the top 25 nationally in total defense, and it’s the defensive line that anchors the defensive production.

“We definitely don’t need to be behind the chains early,” said Freeze. “I think their front is very physical, their whole front 6 is very physical. Last year they were 7th in the nation in 3rd down defense and top 25 in total defense and they return near about everyone of them. It’s going to be a great challenge.”

Defensive end DeAngelo Malone leads the way. The 6’4″, 230 pound senior is a top NFL Draft prospect and All-American who had 11.5 sacks a season ago.

“They play very well together,” said Liberty co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Kent Austin. “They are aggressive up front. Number 10 is a really good player. We’ve got to account for him.”

It will be a difficult challenge for the new look Liberty offense behind Malik Willis who will be making his first collegiate start at quarterback and first QB start since his senior year of high school in 2016.

“We’re going to have to make sure, when we have to throw the ball, number one, that we can protect the quarterback, and also that the quarterback knows where to distribute the football and be ahead of the game in his decision making such that he can throw the ball and the defense is out of position,” said Austin. “If we have to hold on to the ball, that’s probably not a good situation for us. We’re going to do things that are quick recognition in the passing game where our quarterback knows exactly where to go with the ball at a proper time frame that helps our protection up front.”

On defense, Liberty will be tasked with going up a very talented offense. Current WKU co-offensive coordinator Ryan Aplin was Freeze’s starting quarterback during his time at Arkansas State as an offensive coordinator and head coach. Aplin was named the Sun Belt Player of the Year in both 2011 and 2012, under Freeze, and then spent the 2013 season as an administrative assistant on Freeze’s staff at Ole Miss.

Aplin’s offense is led by Maryland grad transfer Tyrrell Pigrome, a dual threat quarterback who the Flames want to force to have to pass the ball. He struggled in the season opener at Louisville, completing just 10 of 23 passes for 129 yards and 1 touchdown. He carried the ball 17 times for 68 yards.

With Pigrome and running back Gaej Walker, the Hilltoppers have a very impressive looking offensive backfield capable of picking up big chunks of yardage on the ground.

“He’s thick now,” Liberty defensive coordinator Scott Symons said of Pigrome. “He’s got legs like a running back so it’s almost like lining up against a wildcat offense except he can throw it as well. You can see he’s got a really strong arm on him.”

NOTABLES

  • The Flames are 4-1 all-time against Sun Belt Conference opponents, including a win over Georgia Southern in the 2019 Cure Bowl.
  • Both Liberty and WKU won bowl games under first year head coaches last season. In addition to the Cure Bowl win under Freeze, the Hilltoppers were led by Tyson Helton to a win in the First Responders’ Bowl.
  • Joshua Mack is 179 rushing yards away from 3,000 for his career, which includes his time at Maine and Liberty.
  • Liberty is just 3-18 when opening the season on the road.
  • Freeze coached Arkansas State to a 26-22 win at Western Kentucky in October 2011 in his first conference game of the season before leading the Red Wolves to an 8-0 league mark.

QUOTABLES

Malik Willis on the QB competition – “Competition breeds greatness. Each of us taking what someone else does good, we’re not negative towards each other, it’s all positivity. We’re picking each other up when we’re down. We’re hyping each other up when we’re up.”

Javon Scruggs – “If we are unified as a team, we can overcome anything.”

Anthony Butler – “They got us as like a 20% chance of winning this game. I feel like we’re going to go out there and shock the world.”

Ralfs Rusins – “We have to keep the pressure inside, pressure the quarterback the whole time, not let him think about running the ball and making him pass the ball. That’s our game plan.”

PREDICTION

WKU 27, Liberty 14

With a new quarterback and several new pieces on offense, the first few series are critical to Liberty. If the Hilltoppers jump out to an early lead, it could get ugly. The Flames need to start strong, and, if they do, it will be a close game that is decided in the 4th quarter.