Big South Opponent Previews: Presbyterian College
8/5/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
As Liberty's 2011 football training camp continues and heads into its first weekend of practices, LibertyFlames.com is set to begin a look at Liberty's Big South opponents.
During the month of August, LibertyFlames.com will release a brief look at each of Liberty's six Big South foes. The half-dozen opponents stand between the Flames and an unprecedented fifth-straight Big South Conference title.
Each preview will include a short write up about Liberty's conference opponents, opponent quick facts, plus links to recent match-ups with each opponent. In addition, each preview will include an audio clip from the Flames Sports Network, which will feature an interview with the opposing head coach and a key returning player, plus head coach Danny Rocco's thoughts on the upcoming match-up.
Today, LibertyFlames.com starts the series by looking at the Presbyterian College Blue Hose, a team that was predicted to finish seventh in this year's annual Big South preseason poll.
2011 Big South Preseason Football:
1. Liberty (15) – 123
2. Stony Brook (2) – 104
3. Coastal Carolina (1) – 96
4. Charleston Southern – 59
4. Gardner-Webb – 59
6. VMI – 42
7. Presbyterian College – 21 (three sixth-place votes, 15 seventh-place votes)
The Blue Hose are coming off their second season under head coach Harold Nichols, where the 1989 graduate of Presbyterian College led his alma mater to two more wins as he did during his inaugural season in Clinton, S.C.
Following a winless 2009 season, the Blue Hose posted two victories in 2010, including the program's first Big South win under Nichols in a 26-24 road victory over Gardner-Webb. Presbyterian College also closed out the 2010 campaign with a resounding 42-6 home victory over Davidson, giving the Blue Hose momentum heading into the 2011 season.
The Blue Hose return 17 starters from the 2010 season, spotlighted by nine returners on the defensive side of the football. Presbyterian College's defense, which ranked No. 6 in the Big South by allowing 33.9 points per game, will be led by returning Big South second-team cornerback Justin Bethel.
Bethel, a rising senior, finished the 2010 season ranked No. 15 in the Big South with 59 tackles and fifth in the league among cornerbacks by averaging 5.9 tackles per contest.
Offensively, the Blue Hose will be led by quarterback Brandon Miley, who will be under center full time for the 2011 season. Last year, he shared time at quarterback with Gary Myron, who led the team by throwing for 711 yards and four touchdowns. Miley completed 59-of-107 pass attempts for 509 yards and four touchdowns.
Presbyterian College will need to replace leading rusher Trandon Dendy, who earned Big South second-team all-conference honors a year ago. He ranked fourth in the Big South by rushing for 787 yards and six touchdowns.
A daunting schedule awaits the Blue Hose during the 2011 season, one that includes three Southern Conference opponents (Furman, Georgia Southern and Wofford) and FBS foe California.
Liberty's match-up with Presbyterian College will close out the October portion of the Flames' schedule on Oct. 29 at Williams Stadium.
The Flames have won three out of their last four meetings against the Blue Hose, including convincing victories over Presbyterian College during their last two match-ups at home. Liberty has won the last two meetings at Williams Stadium by an average of 35.0 points per game (48-14 in 2007 and 55-19 in 2009).
During its last meeting, Liberty overcame two first-half turnovers and a tied halftime score to record a 34-24 victory in Clinton, S.C., on Oct. 30, 2010. The Flames scored on their first three drives of the second half, propelling them to the 10-point victory inside Bailey Memorial Stadium.
Liberty doubled up Presbyterian College on the final stats sheet, as the Flames outgained the Blue Hose by finishing with 536 total offensive yards (Presbyterian College finished with 264 yards).
Mike Brown was responsible for 421 total offensive yards, rushing for 149 yards and a touchdown, while completing 25-of-38 passing attempts for 272 yards. SirChauncey Holloway had a career outing, scoring three times on the ground to go along with 71 total rushing yards.
Defensively, the Flames were paced by graduated linebacker Kyle O'Donnell, who led the team with five tackles, including 2.0 tackles for a loss of 12 yards, while rising junior cornerback Kevin Fogg recorded four solo stops and returned one of his two interceptions in 2010 for 19 yards.
Game 9
Presbyterian College
Oct. 29, 2011
Lynchburg, Va. (3:30 p.m.)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location: Clinton, S.C.
Enrollment: 1,200
Founded: 1880
Nickname: Blue Hose
Colors: Blue and Garnet
Conference: Big South
Stadium: New Bailey Memorial Stadium (6,500)
Surface: Natural Grass
President: Dr. John Griffith
Athletic Director: Brian Reese
COACHING INFORMATION
Head Coach: Harold Nichols (Presbyterian, '90)
Record at School: 2-20 (Two Years)
Career Record: 2-20 (Two Years)
Assistant Coaches:
Tom Evangelista - Defensive Coordinator
Todd Varn - Offensive Coordinator
Matt Cain - Quarterbacks
David Dunagan - Outside Linebackers
Andrew Ford - Cornerbacks
Klay Killingsworth - Defensive Line
Brian Rucker - Wide Receivers
Brandon Sarver - Tight Ends
PLAYER & TEAM INFORMATION
2010 Record: 2-9
Conference Record/Finish: 1-5/t-6th
Offensive Formation: Spread
Defensive Formation: 4-3
Lettermen Returning/Lost: 58/30
Starters Returning/Lost: 17/8
Offensive/Defensive Starters Returning: 6/9
RELATED MATCH-UP LINKS:
Last Meeting:
Oct. 30, 2010: Liberty won, 34-24 – Recap – Box Score
Last Meeting at Williams Stadium
Oct. 31, 2009: Liberty won, 55-19 – Recap – Box Score
Presbyterian College:
Athletics Web Site
Football Page
Football Schedule
Football Statistics
Photo Gallery - Liberty vs. Presbyterian College - Oct. 30, 2010:
Presbyterian College Head Coach Harold Nichols at Big South Football Media Day:
Big South Conference Preview Video Package, featuring Presbyterian College:
