Complete DI Slate Spotlights 2009 Schedule
9/19/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
For the first time in program history, the Flames will play a complete Division I football schedule in 2009, which was announced by head coach Danny Rocco today.
"I think it is a really exciting schedule," stated Rocco. "This is the first time in school history that we have not had at least one Division II opponent on our football schedule and we have been working toward that goal for a few years.
"I think this is like anything else you do, as you have to build toward your goals. We have been able to build some confidence in our program and develop some positive habits including winning, which has enabled us to assemble such a schedule."
Liberty opens the 2009 season against Big East national powerhouse West Virginia in Morgantown, W.Va., on Sept. 5. The contest marks the Flames' return to FBS match-ups, as the 2008 season brought to a close a stretch of nine-straight years in which Liberty faced off against a FBS opponent.
The Flames will be tangling with their second foe from the Big East Conference in program history, as Liberty previously faced off against Connecticut on Sept. 10, 2005.
"We are opening the season at West Virginia, who is truly a national power," continued Rocco. "Their program has been outstanding for quite a while and it is certainly a marquee game for us. We are looking forward to the challenge and it will help us stay focused in the offseason and during training camp as we are going play well early on in 2009."
Following the road opener, the Flames will play three out of their next four games at home, leading up to a weekend off on Oct. 10. Liberty opens up its 2009 home slate against North Carolina Central on Sept. 12, before completing a home-and-home series by traveling to Easton, Pa., to face Lafayette on Sept. 19.
On Sept. 26, Liberty welcomes the return of in-state opponent James Madison to its schedule and the Dukes' first trip to Williams Stadium since 2001. The Flames and the Dukes have a long-standing series, one in which James Madison holds a 9-5 edge.
The Flames will welcome Iona to Lynchburg for the first time on Oct. 3, for the middle game of a three-game homestand, before opening up Big South play against conference rival Coastal Carolina on Oct. 17.
The match-up with the Chanticleers begins six-game stretch where Liberty will play five league opponents and future conference foe Presbyterian to close out the 2009 campaign.
On Oct. 24, the Flames travel to Charleston, S.C., to face off against Charleston Southern, before returning to Williams Stadium to welcome Presbyterian (Oct. 31) and VMI (Nov. 7).
Liberty will close out its 2009 schedule with back-to-back road games, traveling to Boiling Springs, N.C., for a Nov. 14 match-up with Gardner-Webb and a Nov. 21 meeting with Stony Brook on Long Island in Stony Brook, N.Y.
The NCAA FCS playoffs will open up with eight first-round match-ups at on-campus sites on Nov. 28, beginning a four-week schedule that culminates with the NCAA FCS national championship game in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Dec. 18.
"I think next year is the right year to have such a schedule, as we have put together in 2009," concluded Rocco. "This schedule is going to give us an opportunity to gain some additional exposure for our program and our conference."
2009 Liberty Football Schedule:
Sept. 5 at West Virginia (Morgantown, W.Va.)
Sept. 12 vs. North Carolina Central (Lynchburg, Va.)
Sept. 19 at Lafayette (Easton, Pa.)
Sept. 26 vs. James Madison (Lynchburg, Va.)
Oct. 3 vs. Iona (Lynchburg, Va.)
Oct. 10 Open Week
Oct. 17 vs. Coastal Carolina * (Lynchburg, Va.)
Oct. 24 at Charleston Southern * (Charleston, S.C.)
Oct. 31 vs. Presbyterian (Lynchburg, Va.)
Nov. 7 vs. VMI * (Lynchburg, Va.)
Nov. 14 at Gardner-Webb * (Boiling Springs, N.C.)
Nov. 21 at Stony Brook * (Stony Brook, N.Y.)
Nov. 28 NCAA FCS Playoffs (First Round - On-Campus Sites)
Dec. 5 NCAA FCS Playoffs (Quarterfinals - On-Campus Sites)
Dec. 12 NCAA FCS Playoffs (Semifinals- On-Campus Sites )
Dec. 18 NCAA FCS Playoffs (Chattanooga, Tenn.)
National Championship Game
Davenport Field At Finley Stadium
* - Big South Conference game
All Times are EST and are subject to change
Bold indicates home games
