Football 2014 Mid-Year Review: Defense
10/15/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
During the Flames' annual bye week, the Liberty Flames Sports Network will review the first half of the 2014 football season, continuing today with a look at the defense.
The Flames' defense has not had the same results this season as it did during the first two years under head coach Turner Gill. The Flames currently rank No. 93 in the country (out of 121 teams), allowing 34.3 points per game.
Liberty has already allowed more points in 2014 than it did during the entire 2013 season (211 points/17.6 points allowed per game average) and is four points allowed away from tying Liberty's 2012 point total (244 points/22.2 points allowed per game average).
Liberty excelled during the first four games of 2014, holding opponents to 107.5 passing yards per game, which ranked the Flames No. 2 in the country in the defensive category. However, Liberty has allowed the last three opposing quarterbacks to average 354.0 passing yards per game (Indiana State 340, Richmond 325 and Appalachian State 397).
The Flames' defense has helped Liberty win the turnover battle in all four of the games the team has won this season. Liberty, who went three games in a row without committing a turnover earlier this year, is +8 in the turnover column in its four wins and -5 in turnovers when the team suffers a loss.
Seven of the 16 turnovers Liberty has created in 2014 have been from interceptions, which has the Flames ranked tied for No. 28 in the country in total interceptions. Liberty also ranks No. 5 in the country with nine fumble recoveries.
The Flames' defensive leader this season continues to be Jacob Hagen. The returning All-America safety is leading the team with 58 tackles (34 solo, 24 assisted) and picked off his third pass of the year last weekend in the end zone to seal Liberty's overtime win over Appalachian State.
LFSN will continue it mid-year review of the 2014 season tomorrow by taking a look at Liberty's offensive unit.
