2015 Football Opponent Preview: Coastal Carolina
11/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Big South rivals clash in Liberty's first-ever nationally televised football game when the Flames host No. 4/4 Coastal Carolina at Williams Stadium on Senior Night.
The all-time series between the two premier programs in the Big South for the last decade is tied at 6-6. The visiting team has won the last two meetings in the series with both games ending on blocked field goal attempts.
When No. 4 Coastal Carolina last visited Williams Stadium, the Chanticleers spoiled Liberty's annual Homecoming game with a 55-52 double overtime victory on Oct. 19, 2013. The game ended when Coastal Carolina blocked a 40-yard field goal attempt by John Lunsford, allowing the visitors to escape Lynchburg with a three-point victory.
Last year, the Flames repaid the favor in a game that changed the history of Liberty's football program. Lunsford, Liberty's All-American kicker, gave the Flames a 15-14 lead with 1:20 on the game clock in Conway when he knocked down a 32-yard field goal. The Chanticleers quickly moved down the field in the time remaining; however, Liberty's Chima Uzowihe blocked a 24-yard field goal try by Alex Catron as the clock expired to seal Liberty's victory.
The win over the No. 1 ranked Chanticleers gave the Flames their seventh Big South title in the last eight years. The victory also gave Liberty the league's automatic bid to the NCAA FCS Playoffs, pushing the Flames into postseason play for the first time in program history.
The Flames will not be playing for another Big South title on Thursday, but they will be looking to send their senior class out with one last victory.
Prior to kickoff on Thursday, the Flames will honor 17 graduating seniors, including D.J. Abnar, Jonathan Burgess, Gerald Holt, Miles Hunter, Austin Kaigler, Dakota Kelly, John Lunsford, Ryan McCarter, Jimmy O'Grady, Darrin Peterson, Desmond Rice, Malaki Roy, Zachary Schreiber, Max Sommer, Nolan Spicer, Chima Uzowihe and Josh Woodrum.
