Coastal Carolina Game Notes Available
10/2/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Coastal Carolina Game Notes
Today's Game
Liberty concludes a three-game road swing this weekend, when the Flames open Big South Conference play against Coastal Carolina on Saturday at Brooks Stadium in Conway, S.C. Both programs are coming off road victories, as the Flames downed No. 23 Youngstown State, 31-28, last weekend in Youngstown, Ohio, while the Chanticleers handed North Carolina A&T a 20-7 setback in Greensboro, N.C.
Coach's Corner
In just two-plus seasons at Liberty, head coach Danny Rocco has taken the Flames from 1-10 (in 2005) to Big South champions. The third-year skipper has posted an 18-8 record since taking over the program, helping him garner Big South Coach of the Year honors in back-to-back seasons. Last year, the Flames were 8-3 and a perfect 4-0 against Big South foes.
David Bennett has been at the helm of the Coastal Carolina program since its inception, when he was named the program's inaugural coach in 2001. The 2004 Big South Coach of the Year has led the Chanticleers to three league championships and a NCAA FCS playoff berth in 2006.
Checking the Past with the Chants
Liberty snapped a three-game losing skid against Coastal Carolina last year with a 37-24 victory at Williams Stadium on Nov. 3. The Chanticleers have won three out of the previous five meetings with the Flames, including an unblemished 2-0 mark when hosting Liberty at Brooks Stadium. Liberty suffered a 33-6 setback at Coastal Carolina in 2004 (Oct. 23) and a narrow 28-26 loss in 2006 (Oct. 28).
Noting the Streak
Liberty is currently in the midst of a nine-game winning streak, dating back to its 50-10 victory over Charleston Southern on Oct. 20, 2007. Below is a breakdown of where the streak ranks in on the program, conference and national scenes:
• Second longest in program history (longest was a 10-game winning streak that spanned the 1988 and 1989 seasons)
• Tied for the third longest in Big South history (longest was 14-straight by Charleston Southern over the 2005 and 2006 seasons … Coastal Carolina won 10 straight over the 2002 and 2003 seasons)
• The nation's longest active winning streak among FCS program (next longest is six by Lafayette, who the Flames host on Oct. 18, and Prairie View)
Beating the Best
For the ninth time in program history, the Flames picked up a victory over a ranked FCS opponent with their 31-28 win over No. 23 Youngstown State last weekend. The victory was the second win over a Top 25 team under the direction of head coach Danny Rocco, as the Flames defeated No. 24 Charleston Southern, 34-20, on Nov. 11. The win also marked Liberty's first road win over a ranked FCS foe since Flames knocked off No. 15 Appalachian State, 25-19, to close out the 1997 season in Boone, N.C. Liberty now holds a program record 9-39 mark against ranked FCS teams, dating back to 1983.
Watching Them From Afar
Liberty's 31-28 victory over No. 23 Youngstown State last weekend was played in front of 18,978 fans, the tenth largest crowd in Stambaugh Stadium. The road attendance figure marks the largest crowd to see a Flames victory away from Williams Stadium, surpassing Liberty's 25-24 upset of Eastern Michigan on Oct. 14, 1989, which was played in front of 14,127 fans in Ypsilanti, Mich.
One of Only a Few
With its victory over the Penguins last weekend, Liberty became one of nine programs in Youngstown State history to have defeated the Penguins more than once at Stambaugh Stadium. Liberty also handed Youngstown State a 10-8 setback on Oct. 19, 1991, the Penguins last loss before making their NCAA Division I-AA championship run.
Running with the Flames
For the third time this year, Liberty surpassed the 200-yard team rushing mark, when the Flames rushed for a season-high 252 yards on 44 carries (5.7 average yards per rush) against No. 23 Youngstown State last weekend. The figure pushed the Flames inside the nation's Top 10 in team rushing, as Liberty ranks No. 9 nationally in average rushing yards per game (230.5). Since head coach Danny Rocco's arrival in 2006, Liberty has averaged 205.1 rushing yards per game and has surpassed the 200-yard plateau in 12 out of 26 games.
Putting on the Board … Yes!
Liberty surpassed the 30-point mark for the third time this year when the Flames downed No. 23 Youngstown State, 31-28, last weekend on the road. The Flames currently rank No. 12 national in scoring offense, as Liberty is averaging 35.8 points per game. Last year, the Flames were No. 3 in scoring offense, averaging a program and Big South record 42.6 points per game. Since head coach Danny Rocco took over the program in 2006, Liberty has averaged 33.5 points scored per game, and Liberty is 13-2 in contests when the Flames roll up 30 or more points on the scoreboard.
Don't Forget About the "D"
Despite Liberty's gaudy offensive numbers over the past two seasons, the Flames defense has played a significant factor in the team's success, bringing a smile to head coach Danny Rocco's face, as he is a 20-plus year defensive coaching veteran. Liberty currently ranks No. 30 nationally in scoring defense, as the Flames are allowing 20.3 points per game, while the team ranks No. 25 in rushing defense (97.5 yards per contest). Since 2006, Liberty has held its opponents to an average of 19.1 points per game. Liberty is outscoring its opponents by more than two touchdowns per game (33.5 average points scored per game to 19.1 average points allowed).
The Votes Are In
The nation might be watching the electoral polls over the next several weeks until the presidential election on Nov. 4, but the Flames' nation is watching the FCS polls this year. For the fourth-straight week, Liberty garnered a Top 25 nod, as the Flames were ranked No. 20 in the Sports Network poll and No. 21 in the FCS Coaches poll. The four-week stretch is tied for the longest consecutive-week run a Liberty football program has enjoyed in the Top 25. Liberty was also ranked four-straight weeks in 1989 and 1993.
Fewer Infractions
After a trio of games to open the year that were plagued by penalties, the Flames committed a season-low three infractions in their victory over Youngstown State last weekend. Liberty was whistled for three penalties, resulting in 14 total penalty yards. The Flames went into the game against the Penguins as the third highest penalized team in the nation and currently rank No. 105 (out of 118) in penalties per game (8.75) and No. 106 in penalty yards per game (79.25). The three penalties by Liberty against Youngstown State tied for the fewest penalties in a game by Liberty under head coach Danny Rocco.
Conversion Kings
The Flames picked up a new set of downs eight out of 12 times against Youngstown State on third-down plays last weekend. The figure fell just one shy of the most third-down conversion under a Danny Rocco coached football team, as Liberty picked up nine third-down conversions against Presbyterian in 2007 and William & Mary and Coastal Carolina in 2006. The Flames currently rank No. 8 nationally in third-down conversion rate (51.0 percent, 25-of-49).
Don't Move Those Chains Yet
Not only is Liberty one of the top teams in the nation in terms of third-down conversion rate, but the Flames are equality as impressive on the flipside of the field when it comes to third-down defense. Liberty currently ranks No. 19 in the country in the statistical category, having allowed its opponents to pick up a new set of downs 30.2 percent of the time (16-of-53).
Sack It to Them
For the third-straight contest, Liberty's defense posted three or more sacks in games, getting to Youngstown State's quarterback a trio of times for a loss of 24 yards during its victory over the No. 23 ranked Penguins. Liberty has tallied 11 sacks in four games and ranks No. 18 nationally as the squad is averaging 2.75 sacks per game.
Tallying TFL's
Besides just getting to their opponent's quarterbacks, the Flames have made it a point to tackle all ball handlers behind the line of scrimmage this year. Liberty has recorded 31 tackles for a loss, ranking the Flames No. 22 nationally in tackles for a loss per game (7.75). Coastal Carolina is equally as impressive in the statistical category, ranking No. 8 by averaging 8.8 negative-yardage stops per outing.
Today's Game
Liberty concludes a three-game road swing this weekend, when the Flames open Big South Conference play against Coastal Carolina on Saturday at Brooks Stadium in Conway, S.C. Both programs are coming off road victories, as the Flames downed No. 23 Youngstown State, 31-28, last weekend in Youngstown, Ohio, while the Chanticleers handed North Carolina A&T a 20-7 setback in Greensboro, N.C.
Coach's Corner
In just two-plus seasons at Liberty, head coach Danny Rocco has taken the Flames from 1-10 (in 2005) to Big South champions. The third-year skipper has posted an 18-8 record since taking over the program, helping him garner Big South Coach of the Year honors in back-to-back seasons. Last year, the Flames were 8-3 and a perfect 4-0 against Big South foes.
David Bennett has been at the helm of the Coastal Carolina program since its inception, when he was named the program's inaugural coach in 2001. The 2004 Big South Coach of the Year has led the Chanticleers to three league championships and a NCAA FCS playoff berth in 2006.
Checking the Past with the Chants
Liberty snapped a three-game losing skid against Coastal Carolina last year with a 37-24 victory at Williams Stadium on Nov. 3. The Chanticleers have won three out of the previous five meetings with the Flames, including an unblemished 2-0 mark when hosting Liberty at Brooks Stadium. Liberty suffered a 33-6 setback at Coastal Carolina in 2004 (Oct. 23) and a narrow 28-26 loss in 2006 (Oct. 28).
Noting the Streak
Liberty is currently in the midst of a nine-game winning streak, dating back to its 50-10 victory over Charleston Southern on Oct. 20, 2007. Below is a breakdown of where the streak ranks in on the program, conference and national scenes:
• Second longest in program history (longest was a 10-game winning streak that spanned the 1988 and 1989 seasons)
• Tied for the third longest in Big South history (longest was 14-straight by Charleston Southern over the 2005 and 2006 seasons … Coastal Carolina won 10 straight over the 2002 and 2003 seasons)
• The nation's longest active winning streak among FCS program (next longest is six by Lafayette, who the Flames host on Oct. 18, and Prairie View)
Beating the Best
For the ninth time in program history, the Flames picked up a victory over a ranked FCS opponent with their 31-28 win over No. 23 Youngstown State last weekend. The victory was the second win over a Top 25 team under the direction of head coach Danny Rocco, as the Flames defeated No. 24 Charleston Southern, 34-20, on Nov. 11. The win also marked Liberty's first road win over a ranked FCS foe since Flames knocked off No. 15 Appalachian State, 25-19, to close out the 1997 season in Boone, N.C. Liberty now holds a program record 9-39 mark against ranked FCS teams, dating back to 1983.
Watching Them From Afar
Liberty's 31-28 victory over No. 23 Youngstown State last weekend was played in front of 18,978 fans, the tenth largest crowd in Stambaugh Stadium. The road attendance figure marks the largest crowd to see a Flames victory away from Williams Stadium, surpassing Liberty's 25-24 upset of Eastern Michigan on Oct. 14, 1989, which was played in front of 14,127 fans in Ypsilanti, Mich.
One of Only a Few
With its victory over the Penguins last weekend, Liberty became one of nine programs in Youngstown State history to have defeated the Penguins more than once at Stambaugh Stadium. Liberty also handed Youngstown State a 10-8 setback on Oct. 19, 1991, the Penguins last loss before making their NCAA Division I-AA championship run.
Running with the Flames
For the third time this year, Liberty surpassed the 200-yard team rushing mark, when the Flames rushed for a season-high 252 yards on 44 carries (5.7 average yards per rush) against No. 23 Youngstown State last weekend. The figure pushed the Flames inside the nation's Top 10 in team rushing, as Liberty ranks No. 9 nationally in average rushing yards per game (230.5). Since head coach Danny Rocco's arrival in 2006, Liberty has averaged 205.1 rushing yards per game and has surpassed the 200-yard plateau in 12 out of 26 games.
Putting on the Board … Yes!
Liberty surpassed the 30-point mark for the third time this year when the Flames downed No. 23 Youngstown State, 31-28, last weekend on the road. The Flames currently rank No. 12 national in scoring offense, as Liberty is averaging 35.8 points per game. Last year, the Flames were No. 3 in scoring offense, averaging a program and Big South record 42.6 points per game. Since head coach Danny Rocco took over the program in 2006, Liberty has averaged 33.5 points scored per game, and Liberty is 13-2 in contests when the Flames roll up 30 or more points on the scoreboard.
Don't Forget About the "D"
Despite Liberty's gaudy offensive numbers over the past two seasons, the Flames defense has played a significant factor in the team's success, bringing a smile to head coach Danny Rocco's face, as he is a 20-plus year defensive coaching veteran. Liberty currently ranks No. 30 nationally in scoring defense, as the Flames are allowing 20.3 points per game, while the team ranks No. 25 in rushing defense (97.5 yards per contest). Since 2006, Liberty has held its opponents to an average of 19.1 points per game. Liberty is outscoring its opponents by more than two touchdowns per game (33.5 average points scored per game to 19.1 average points allowed).
The Votes Are In
The nation might be watching the electoral polls over the next several weeks until the presidential election on Nov. 4, but the Flames' nation is watching the FCS polls this year. For the fourth-straight week, Liberty garnered a Top 25 nod, as the Flames were ranked No. 20 in the Sports Network poll and No. 21 in the FCS Coaches poll. The four-week stretch is tied for the longest consecutive-week run a Liberty football program has enjoyed in the Top 25. Liberty was also ranked four-straight weeks in 1989 and 1993.
Fewer Infractions
After a trio of games to open the year that were plagued by penalties, the Flames committed a season-low three infractions in their victory over Youngstown State last weekend. Liberty was whistled for three penalties, resulting in 14 total penalty yards. The Flames went into the game against the Penguins as the third highest penalized team in the nation and currently rank No. 105 (out of 118) in penalties per game (8.75) and No. 106 in penalty yards per game (79.25). The three penalties by Liberty against Youngstown State tied for the fewest penalties in a game by Liberty under head coach Danny Rocco.
Conversion Kings
The Flames picked up a new set of downs eight out of 12 times against Youngstown State on third-down plays last weekend. The figure fell just one shy of the most third-down conversion under a Danny Rocco coached football team, as Liberty picked up nine third-down conversions against Presbyterian in 2007 and William & Mary and Coastal Carolina in 2006. The Flames currently rank No. 8 nationally in third-down conversion rate (51.0 percent, 25-of-49).
Don't Move Those Chains Yet
Not only is Liberty one of the top teams in the nation in terms of third-down conversion rate, but the Flames are equality as impressive on the flipside of the field when it comes to third-down defense. Liberty currently ranks No. 19 in the country in the statistical category, having allowed its opponents to pick up a new set of downs 30.2 percent of the time (16-of-53).
Sack It to Them
For the third-straight contest, Liberty's defense posted three or more sacks in games, getting to Youngstown State's quarterback a trio of times for a loss of 24 yards during its victory over the No. 23 ranked Penguins. Liberty has tallied 11 sacks in four games and ranks No. 18 nationally as the squad is averaging 2.75 sacks per game.
Tallying TFL's
Besides just getting to their opponent's quarterbacks, the Flames have made it a point to tackle all ball handlers behind the line of scrimmage this year. Liberty has recorded 31 tackles for a loss, ranking the Flames No. 22 nationally in tackles for a loss per game (7.75). Coastal Carolina is equally as impressive in the statistical category, ranking No. 8 by averaging 8.8 negative-yardage stops per outing.
Thursday, June 18
Wednesday, May 13
Thursday, May 07
Thursday, April 30