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Saturday, October 17
Lynchburg, Va.
3:30 PM
Liberty University
4-2 , 1-0
58
vs
13
Coastal Carolina
3-3 , 1-1
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Coastal Carolina
3
3
0
7
13
Liberty
10
6
14
28
58
LU Opens Title Defense with Emphatic Win
10/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
The Flames sent a strong message to the rest of the Big South on Saturday afternoon, when Liberty rolled to a 58-13 Homecoming victory over visiting Coastal Carolina in front of 14,371 fans at Williams Stadium.
In the first game of its back-to-back conference title defense, Liberty pushed its Big South Conference winning streak to 12-straight games. The dozen-straight league victories give Liberty the longest winning streak in Big South history and the fourth-longest active FCS conference winning streak in the nation.
The victory pushes Liberty's record to 4-2 on the season and to 1-0 in Big South action. The loss snaps a two-game winning streak for the Chanticleers and evens Coastal Carolina's record at 3-3 on the season and 1-1 in the Big South.
Liberty was able to put points on the scoreboard on its opening drive, jumping out to a 3-0 lead thanks to a 24-yard field goal by Matt Bevins with 11:23 left in the first quarter.
The eight-play, 60-yard drive was highlighted by a pair of plays, one for each team. On the third play, Tommy Beecher lofted a ball over Coastal Carolina's defensive backfield, finding Chris Summers open for 47-yard reception.
Liberty managed to drive to the Coastal Carolina two-yard line, but the Chanticleers defense came up with a touchdown-saving play. On third and goal, Beecher looked for Summers again, but this time Jordan Norman was able to get a hand on it, keeping the Flames from adding six to the scoreboard.
The visitors were able to answer back, quickly tying the game at 3-3 when Justin Durham knocked down a 33-yard field goal just over two minutes later.
The drive was spotlighted by a pair of passing plays from the arm of Coastal Carolina's Zach MacDowell. The Chanticleers, who used a hurry-up offense during the drive, saw their junior hurler find Adrian Sullivan open on a 35-yard sideline route on the opening play.
Five plays later, MacDowell found running back Eric O'Neal for a 14-yard reception, but the double-digit reception was not enough for the first down, forcing the visitors to settle for three points.
Liberty kept the back-and-forth offensive battle going, scoring the game's first touchdown on the ensuing drive. Aldreakis Allen was the major player on the drive, as the rookie was called upon seven times during the 12-play drive.
After a key seven-yard reception by Mike Brown on a third-down play in the Coastal Carolina red zone moved the chains, Allen scored on his second try from one yard out to push the game score to 10-3, Liberty with 3:18 left to play in the opening quarter.
The score remained the same until the midpoint of the second quarter, when the Flames widened their lead back to 10 points.
On the 12th play of the drive, Liberty tried to pick up another red zone first down on a lengthy third-down play, as Beecher found Brown open for a 10-yard reception. But it was not enough, forcing Liberty to call upon Bevins, who knocked down a 31-yard field goal with 8:21 left before halftime.
Following Coastal Carolina's second three-and-out series of the opening half, Liberty took over at its own 23-yard line.
The Chanticleer defense, which came into the game leading the Big South and ranked No. 5 nationally in scoring defense, was able to keep the Flames out of the end zone once again. But they were not good enough to keep the Flames from stretching their lead, as Bevins sent his third field goal through the uprights from 42 yards out, pushing Liberty's margin to 13 points, 16-3, with 54 seconds left on the clock.
Thanks to a 49-yard kickoff return by Jake Owen on the ensuing kick and a 20-yard reception by O'Neal, the Chanticleers were able to cut their deficit to 10 points, when Durham knocked down a 31-yard field goal with .6 seconds left on the second-quarter game clock.
The Flames dominated the first half stat sheet, finishing the opening 30 minutes with 271 total offensive yards to the Chanticleers' 101 yards. The sizeable difference was aided by Liberty's dominance in time of possession, as the Flames held onto the ball for 22:10 during the opening half.
Most of Liberty's damage was through the air, as Beecher completed 13-of-17 passing attempts for 173 yards. Brown and Allen shared the receptions, as Brown caught six passes for 52 yards and Allen tallied five for 71 yards.
O'Neal was the largest yardage gainer for the Chanticleers, as the junior rushed five times for 10 yards and caught three passes for 39 yards.
Liberty's first half dominance continued during the second half, this time leading to 42-unanswered points.
After trading possession, Liberty was able to score its first of six-straight touchdowns. Following a 15-yard completion from Beecher to Dominique Jones to penetrate the red zone, Allen was given the ball.
The freshman found a hole in the line and looked like he was going to be stopped just inside the 10-yard line. However, the rookie dragged two defenders and got a push from tight end Will Quarles, allowing the freshman to cross the goal line and give Liberty a 23-6 lead with 4:55 left to play in the third quarter.
On the second play of the next drive, MacDowell tossed Coastal Carolina's first of four second-half interceptions, when Larry Claiborne picked off the errant throw near midfield.
The very next play, Liberty pushed the momentum its way for the remainder of the game on a trick play. Brown took a handoff from Beecher and looked like he was going to sweep right to the right for an outside run.
However, the sophomore stopped before getting to the line of scrimmage and threw a 47-yard pin-point pass to Summers, where he found the end zone for the score, putting Liberty in front, 30-6.
The remainder of the game, Liberty focused on the ground game, scoring four rushing touchdowns, spotlighted by an 82-yard burst up the middle by Danny Broggin early in the fourth quarter.
Coastal Carolina did manage to end the second-half scoring drought late in the game, when Jamie Childress completed a six-yard pass to Akeem Wesley with 42 seconds left.
Liberty finished the game with 575 total offensive yards to Coastal Carolina's 175 total offensive yards, while the Flames averaged 11.5 yards per play to the Chanticleers 5.9 average mark.
The yardage figures were the second best since head coach Danny Rocco took over the program in 2006. Liberty rolled up 591 total offensive yards against St. Francis (Pa.) in 2007, while the Flames held St. Paul's to 57 total offensive yards during Rocco's first game at Liberty.
For the second-straight game, Liberty ran for six touchdowns, helping the Flames rush for 300 yards on 47 carries. This marked the third time Liberty has rushed for 300 or more yards during Rocco's four-year tenure.
Allen led the Flames' 300-yard ground attack, rushing 20 times for 106 yards and three scores. The yardage gave the freshman his second-straight, 100-yard game and second game in a row with multiple rushing touchdowns.
Broggin followed with 91 rushing yards on six carries, while SirChauncey Holloway rushed 10 times for 53 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Coastal Carolina was limited to 40 rushing yards, led by Tommy Fraser's 26 yards on four carries late in the game.
Beecher finished the day 17-of-22, passing for 216 yards. Tyler Brennan (12 yards) and Brown (47 yards) both completed their lone pass attempts.
MacDowell was hampered by Liberty's defensive pressure throughout the afternoon, completing 9-of-14 passing attempts for 117 yards, while throwing a pick. During Childress' time under center, the sophomore was 3-of-9 for 18 yards and three interceptions.
Allen (83 yards) and Brown (52 yards) were the game's leading receivers in terms of receptions, both finishing with six catches. Summers picked up the most yardage, finishing the game with three catches for 99 yards and a score.
Coastal Carolina had nine different players catch a pass, while O'Neal finishing as the lone Chanticleer with multiple receptions. The junior caught four passes for 37 yards.
Liberty's dominating defensive showing was truly a team effort. The Flames' leading tacklers in the game were defensive lineman Trey Jacobs and linebacker Doncel Bolt, with both players finishing the game with five stops apiece.
Liberty, who intercepted four passes for the third time during a Rocco-coached game, also added three sacks and a season-high nine tackles for a loss.
The Chanticleers were paced defensively by Chris Walls, as the linebacker finished the afternoon with nine stops. Marcus Lott and E.J. Brown followed with eight stops each.
Following three-straight home games, the Flames will have their first road game in 35 days when Liberty travels to Charleston, S.C., to continue Big South Conference action against the Buccaneers of Charleston Southern. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m., for next Saturday at CSU Stadium.
Liberty is a perfect 3-0 against Charleston Southern under Rocco, winning the trio of games by an average of 32 points per outing. Overall, the Flames lead the series 14-2, while having posted a 6-1 mark when facing the Buccaneers in the Palmetto State.
In the first game of its back-to-back conference title defense, Liberty pushed its Big South Conference winning streak to 12-straight games. The dozen-straight league victories give Liberty the longest winning streak in Big South history and the fourth-longest active FCS conference winning streak in the nation.
The victory pushes Liberty's record to 4-2 on the season and to 1-0 in Big South action. The loss snaps a two-game winning streak for the Chanticleers and evens Coastal Carolina's record at 3-3 on the season and 1-1 in the Big South.
Liberty was able to put points on the scoreboard on its opening drive, jumping out to a 3-0 lead thanks to a 24-yard field goal by Matt Bevins with 11:23 left in the first quarter.
The eight-play, 60-yard drive was highlighted by a pair of plays, one for each team. On the third play, Tommy Beecher lofted a ball over Coastal Carolina's defensive backfield, finding Chris Summers open for 47-yard reception.
Liberty managed to drive to the Coastal Carolina two-yard line, but the Chanticleers defense came up with a touchdown-saving play. On third and goal, Beecher looked for Summers again, but this time Jordan Norman was able to get a hand on it, keeping the Flames from adding six to the scoreboard.
The visitors were able to answer back, quickly tying the game at 3-3 when Justin Durham knocked down a 33-yard field goal just over two minutes later.
The drive was spotlighted by a pair of passing plays from the arm of Coastal Carolina's Zach MacDowell. The Chanticleers, who used a hurry-up offense during the drive, saw their junior hurler find Adrian Sullivan open on a 35-yard sideline route on the opening play.
Five plays later, MacDowell found running back Eric O'Neal for a 14-yard reception, but the double-digit reception was not enough for the first down, forcing the visitors to settle for three points.
Liberty kept the back-and-forth offensive battle going, scoring the game's first touchdown on the ensuing drive. Aldreakis Allen was the major player on the drive, as the rookie was called upon seven times during the 12-play drive.
After a key seven-yard reception by Mike Brown on a third-down play in the Coastal Carolina red zone moved the chains, Allen scored on his second try from one yard out to push the game score to 10-3, Liberty with 3:18 left to play in the opening quarter.
The score remained the same until the midpoint of the second quarter, when the Flames widened their lead back to 10 points.
On the 12th play of the drive, Liberty tried to pick up another red zone first down on a lengthy third-down play, as Beecher found Brown open for a 10-yard reception. But it was not enough, forcing Liberty to call upon Bevins, who knocked down a 31-yard field goal with 8:21 left before halftime.
Following Coastal Carolina's second three-and-out series of the opening half, Liberty took over at its own 23-yard line.
The Chanticleer defense, which came into the game leading the Big South and ranked No. 5 nationally in scoring defense, was able to keep the Flames out of the end zone once again. But they were not good enough to keep the Flames from stretching their lead, as Bevins sent his third field goal through the uprights from 42 yards out, pushing Liberty's margin to 13 points, 16-3, with 54 seconds left on the clock.
Thanks to a 49-yard kickoff return by Jake Owen on the ensuing kick and a 20-yard reception by O'Neal, the Chanticleers were able to cut their deficit to 10 points, when Durham knocked down a 31-yard field goal with .6 seconds left on the second-quarter game clock.
The Flames dominated the first half stat sheet, finishing the opening 30 minutes with 271 total offensive yards to the Chanticleers' 101 yards. The sizeable difference was aided by Liberty's dominance in time of possession, as the Flames held onto the ball for 22:10 during the opening half.
Most of Liberty's damage was through the air, as Beecher completed 13-of-17 passing attempts for 173 yards. Brown and Allen shared the receptions, as Brown caught six passes for 52 yards and Allen tallied five for 71 yards.
O'Neal was the largest yardage gainer for the Chanticleers, as the junior rushed five times for 10 yards and caught three passes for 39 yards.
Liberty's first half dominance continued during the second half, this time leading to 42-unanswered points.
After trading possession, Liberty was able to score its first of six-straight touchdowns. Following a 15-yard completion from Beecher to Dominique Jones to penetrate the red zone, Allen was given the ball.
The freshman found a hole in the line and looked like he was going to be stopped just inside the 10-yard line. However, the rookie dragged two defenders and got a push from tight end Will Quarles, allowing the freshman to cross the goal line and give Liberty a 23-6 lead with 4:55 left to play in the third quarter.
On the second play of the next drive, MacDowell tossed Coastal Carolina's first of four second-half interceptions, when Larry Claiborne picked off the errant throw near midfield.
The very next play, Liberty pushed the momentum its way for the remainder of the game on a trick play. Brown took a handoff from Beecher and looked like he was going to sweep right to the right for an outside run.
However, the sophomore stopped before getting to the line of scrimmage and threw a 47-yard pin-point pass to Summers, where he found the end zone for the score, putting Liberty in front, 30-6.
The remainder of the game, Liberty focused on the ground game, scoring four rushing touchdowns, spotlighted by an 82-yard burst up the middle by Danny Broggin early in the fourth quarter.
Coastal Carolina did manage to end the second-half scoring drought late in the game, when Jamie Childress completed a six-yard pass to Akeem Wesley with 42 seconds left.
Liberty finished the game with 575 total offensive yards to Coastal Carolina's 175 total offensive yards, while the Flames averaged 11.5 yards per play to the Chanticleers 5.9 average mark.
The yardage figures were the second best since head coach Danny Rocco took over the program in 2006. Liberty rolled up 591 total offensive yards against St. Francis (Pa.) in 2007, while the Flames held St. Paul's to 57 total offensive yards during Rocco's first game at Liberty.
For the second-straight game, Liberty ran for six touchdowns, helping the Flames rush for 300 yards on 47 carries. This marked the third time Liberty has rushed for 300 or more yards during Rocco's four-year tenure.
Allen led the Flames' 300-yard ground attack, rushing 20 times for 106 yards and three scores. The yardage gave the freshman his second-straight, 100-yard game and second game in a row with multiple rushing touchdowns.
Broggin followed with 91 rushing yards on six carries, while SirChauncey Holloway rushed 10 times for 53 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Coastal Carolina was limited to 40 rushing yards, led by Tommy Fraser's 26 yards on four carries late in the game.
Beecher finished the day 17-of-22, passing for 216 yards. Tyler Brennan (12 yards) and Brown (47 yards) both completed their lone pass attempts.
MacDowell was hampered by Liberty's defensive pressure throughout the afternoon, completing 9-of-14 passing attempts for 117 yards, while throwing a pick. During Childress' time under center, the sophomore was 3-of-9 for 18 yards and three interceptions.
Allen (83 yards) and Brown (52 yards) were the game's leading receivers in terms of receptions, both finishing with six catches. Summers picked up the most yardage, finishing the game with three catches for 99 yards and a score.
Coastal Carolina had nine different players catch a pass, while O'Neal finishing as the lone Chanticleer with multiple receptions. The junior caught four passes for 37 yards.
Liberty's dominating defensive showing was truly a team effort. The Flames' leading tacklers in the game were defensive lineman Trey Jacobs and linebacker Doncel Bolt, with both players finishing the game with five stops apiece.
Liberty, who intercepted four passes for the third time during a Rocco-coached game, also added three sacks and a season-high nine tackles for a loss.
The Chanticleers were paced defensively by Chris Walls, as the linebacker finished the afternoon with nine stops. Marcus Lott and E.J. Brown followed with eight stops each.
Following three-straight home games, the Flames will have their first road game in 35 days when Liberty travels to Charleston, S.C., to continue Big South Conference action against the Buccaneers of Charleston Southern. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m., for next Saturday at CSU Stadium.
Liberty is a perfect 3-0 against Charleston Southern under Rocco, winning the trio of games by an average of 32 points per outing. Overall, the Flames lead the series 14-2, while having posted a 6-1 mark when facing the Buccaneers in the Palmetto State.
Team Stats
COASTAL
LIBERTY
Total Yards
175
575
Pass Yards
135
275
Rushing Yards
40
300
Penalty Yards
50
45
1st Downs
8
30
3rd Downs
2
10
4th Downs
1
0
TOP
23:48
36:12
1st Quarter
COASTAL 0, LIBERTY 3
LIBERTY - BEVINS, M. 24 yd field goal 8 plays, 60 yards, TOP 3:37
COASTAL 3, LIBERTY 3
COASTAL - DURHAM, J. 33 yd field goal 5 plays, 42 yards, TOP 2:12
COASTAL 3, LIBERTY 10
LIBERTY - ALLEN, A. 1 yd run (BEVINS, M. kick), 12 plays, 75 yards, TOP 5:40
2nd Quarter
COASTAL 3, LIBERTY 13
LIBERTY - BEVINS, M. 31 yd field goal 13 plays, 74 yards, TOP 7:18
COASTAL 3, LIBERTY 16
LIBERTY - BEVINS, M. 42 yd field goal 10 plays, 52 yards, TOP 5:29
COASTAL 6, LIBERTY 16
COASTAL - DURHAM, J. 38 yd field goal 5 plays, 25 yards, TOP 0:44
3rd Quarter
COASTAL 6, LIBERTY 23
LIBERTY - ALLEN, A. 14 yd run (BEVINS, M. kick), 5 plays, 49 yards, TOP 2:09
COASTAL 6, LIBERTY 30
LIBERTY - SUMMERS, C. 47 yd pass from BROWN, M. (BEVINS, M. kick) 1 plays, 47 yards, TOP 0:07
4th Quarter
COASTAL 6, LIBERTY 37
LIBERTY - ALLEN, A. 13 yd run (BEVINS, M. kick), 7 plays, 56 yards, TOP 3:40
COASTAL 6, LIBERTY 44
LIBERTY - BROGGIN, D. 82 yd run (BEVINS, M. kick), 1 plays, 82 yards, TOP 0:13
COASTAL 6, LIBERTY 51
LIBERTY - HOLLOWAY, S. 14 yd run (SHIPPS, B. kick), 1 plays, 14 yards, TOP 0:09
COASTAL 6, LIBERTY 58
LIBERTY - HOLLOWAY, S. 1 yd run (SHIPPS, B. kick), 11 plays, 44 yards, TOP 5:26
COASTAL 13, LIBERTY 58
COASTAL - WESLEY, A. 6 yd pass from CHILDERS, J. (DURHAM, J. kick) 9 plays, 38 yards, TOP 4:19
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