Previewing LU
Posted by TTHS on September 13th, 2007
This Saturday the Tribe welcomes the Liberty Flames to Zable Stadium, and what an improved team it is. With the help of a new coach and many talented transfers this team has gone from an I-AA doormat to a team with a chance to win the Big South and an outside shot at the playoffs. This will not be the Liberty team we last saw at Zable.
The Flames have been inconsistent at QB so far this year, returning starter Brock Smith has thrown for 315 yards in 2 games vs. DII opponents. He threw for a completion percentage of 57% with 2 TD’s and an INT. He will need to keep the Tribe defense honest, and may not need to do much if the running game is on. Smith struggled in the season opener but was much improved last week.
Liberty’s running game will be one of the essential match-ups, as they have the big, Pitt transfer in Rashad Jennings and the quick change-up in Zach Terrell. As we all remember, Jennings was running all over the Tribe last season until he got injured the third quarter which probably decided the game. Jennings has yet to play this year due to a 2-game suspension(against the 2 DII schools on the schedule, huh) and looks to Omar Cuff the Tribe just like last year. Terrell wasn’t bad at all in his 2 starts, averaging 141 yards per game and picking up 2 TD’s. He averaged over 6 yards per carry.
Liberty also has a couple nice receivers, headed by big play threat Wynton Jackson. Jackson has an impressive 20 yards per catch so far this year, and leads the team with 119 yards through the air. Dominic Bolden has also started out well with 5 catches for a total of 75 yards. Returning starter Brandon Turner has led the team in receptions so far at 8, and has a toal of 66 yards. They have the experienced wideouts, all upperclassmen, the bigger problem has been getting them the ball.
Junior Kevin Richard will hold down one end position. Richard has one sack on the year and only 2 tackles. Steven Ackley should also play end, and has 3.5 TFL’s so far this year. Colin Dugan looks to play nose tackle for the flames, and he has 9 tackles on the year with one for a loss.
LU plays a 3-4 system, so linebackers are key. The LB’s are led by 2 transfers from the state’s biggest rivals. UVA transfer Vince Redd was kicked off the team last year, and followed Coach Rocco to LU. He is easily the best player on the defense, at 6-6 with the athleticism to play LB. If he gets into the backfield it could really kill Phillips rhythm, so keeping him from penetrating will be key. He has 2 sacks on the year and 4 TFL’s. VT transfer Stevie Ray Lloyd is also a strong LB, second on the team in tackles with one for a loss. This combination makes LB the strong point of the LU D, and possibly entire team. Senior Brandon Duke will also start at LB and is a nice player with 11 tackles, 1.5 of which are for a loss. The LB’s are filled out with Junior MLB Nick Hursky. Hursky leads the team in tackles with 23, to go along with a sack and a forced fumble. This is definitely a talented bunch.
The Flames have been making a lot of plays with the defensive backs, so many that is makes you consider the opponents. They have 5 INT’s in 2 games, all by different players. Again, all upperclassmen, the biggest of the bunch is 6-2 Kent Hicks. Hicks has picked off a pass and gotten 10 tackles in 2 games this year. The other starting CB will be Patrick Calvary, another Junior. Calvary has an INT with a 51 yard return tacked onto it on the year, along with 9 tackles and a TFL. Junior Ryan Greiser will be starting at one of the safety positions, and is 3rd on the team in tackles. Senior Pat Dickerson will be playing at Free Safety Saturday night, and he also has an interception.
This is not the old Liberty team we are used to seeing. They have the weapons to beat us, and this should be a close game. They have yet to be tested, and due to suspension Jennings may be a little bit rusty, but they still have a very good shot at winning this game. They will need Jennings to go over 200 yards to win, and I don’t see the Tribe defense being killed by the run for the 3rd straight week. Jimmye is too good of a coach to do that. Phillips lights it up again, and Jennings has a great game but they don’t have enough late to pull it out.
Tribe: 38
Flames: 31