Rocco Weekly Review: West Virginia
9/4/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Rocco Weekly Review Audio Link
Game Day Central Page – West Virginia
To close out its Countdown to Kickoff coverage, LibertyFlames.com presents its first installment of the Rocco Weekly Review today; a weekly segment where head coach Danny Rocco looks back at his team's preparation for their matchup with West Virginia.
The contest will mark the opening of Liberty's fourth year under Rocco and the first time the three-time Big South Coach of the Year has begun the season on the road.
Liberty is coming off its best season in program history, as the Flames finished the 2008 campaign with a 10-2 record en route to the program's second-straight Big South title. Liberty ended the year ranked No. 14 nationally, accounting for the highest year-end ranking in program history.
Below are the 10 questions LibertyFlames.com asked Rocco following yesterday's practice, the Flames final full workout before their season opener with the Mountaineers:
1. Reflecting back on preseason camp, how did this training camp differ from your previous three training camps since taking over as head coach at Liberty?
2. You had a wide variety of position battles during training camp this August. What would you say was the most interesting position battle to watch as head coach and how is that position going to affect the play of the Flames this year?
3. This year's squad is one of the youngest you have had as Liberty's head coach. Which freshmen in particular stood out during training camp and have a potential to make an impact for Liberty this upcoming 2009 season?
4. Offensively, you are looking to replace proven veterans like Brock Smith and Rashad Jennings. Who stood out during training camp and is looking to provide leadership among your younger offensive players this year?
5. On the flip side of the field, you return several key players defensively and are a bit more seasoned among your three different defensive position groups. Among your older defensive players, who are looking to lead your defensive line, linebackers and defensive backfield?
6. Turning our attention to the Flames' season opener at West Virginia, this is the first time you have opened a season on the road. Did you have a change in your scheduling philosophy or was the potential of playing one of the top FBS programs in the country too much to pass up?
7. Liberty and West Virginia have some similarities coming into the game, as both programs have several skills position players in new roles this year. Which positions in particular do you see similarities between the Flames and the Mountaineers in terms of limited game experience?
8. The Flames will be going up against one of the top returning running backs in the country in junior Tim Devine. Looking back over the running backs the Flames have seen the past few years, which back is most similar to the style of player Devine is for West Virginia?
9. You've had the privilege of coaching in some of the top collegiate venues in the country in your 27-year coaching experience. How does the game day atmosphere at West Virginia rank among several other top-level FBS programs you have faced previously?
10. If you had to narrow the game on Saturday down to one specific aspect, which will be the key to victory for either team, which facet of the game would that area be and why is that area so important for the eventual victor?
Game Day Central Page – West Virginia
To close out its Countdown to Kickoff coverage, LibertyFlames.com presents its first installment of the Rocco Weekly Review today; a weekly segment where head coach Danny Rocco looks back at his team's preparation for their matchup with West Virginia.
The contest will mark the opening of Liberty's fourth year under Rocco and the first time the three-time Big South Coach of the Year has begun the season on the road.
Liberty is coming off its best season in program history, as the Flames finished the 2008 campaign with a 10-2 record en route to the program's second-straight Big South title. Liberty ended the year ranked No. 14 nationally, accounting for the highest year-end ranking in program history.
Below are the 10 questions LibertyFlames.com asked Rocco following yesterday's practice, the Flames final full workout before their season opener with the Mountaineers:
1. Reflecting back on preseason camp, how did this training camp differ from your previous three training camps since taking over as head coach at Liberty?
2. You had a wide variety of position battles during training camp this August. What would you say was the most interesting position battle to watch as head coach and how is that position going to affect the play of the Flames this year?
3. This year's squad is one of the youngest you have had as Liberty's head coach. Which freshmen in particular stood out during training camp and have a potential to make an impact for Liberty this upcoming 2009 season?
4. Offensively, you are looking to replace proven veterans like Brock Smith and Rashad Jennings. Who stood out during training camp and is looking to provide leadership among your younger offensive players this year?
5. On the flip side of the field, you return several key players defensively and are a bit more seasoned among your three different defensive position groups. Among your older defensive players, who are looking to lead your defensive line, linebackers and defensive backfield?
6. Turning our attention to the Flames' season opener at West Virginia, this is the first time you have opened a season on the road. Did you have a change in your scheduling philosophy or was the potential of playing one of the top FBS programs in the country too much to pass up?
7. Liberty and West Virginia have some similarities coming into the game, as both programs have several skills position players in new roles this year. Which positions in particular do you see similarities between the Flames and the Mountaineers in terms of limited game experience?
8. The Flames will be going up against one of the top returning running backs in the country in junior Tim Devine. Looking back over the running backs the Flames have seen the past few years, which back is most similar to the style of player Devine is for West Virginia?
9. You've had the privilege of coaching in some of the top collegiate venues in the country in your 27-year coaching experience. How does the game day atmosphere at West Virginia rank among several other top-level FBS programs you have faced previously?
10. If you had to narrow the game on Saturday down to one specific aspect, which will be the key to victory for either team, which facet of the game would that area be and why is that area so important for the eventual victor?
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