Mike Connolly

Class:
Redshirt Senior
Position:
LB
Height:
6-1
Weight:
235
Prev School:
Cardinal Mooney HS
Hometown:
Sarasota, Fla

Defensive Team Captain

An Inside Look from the Coaching Staff: Worked on his mental approach to the game during the spring while recovering from his injury … has the potential to have a breakout season … strong with good speed for his size … great player coming off the edge … has good football sense.

2010 (R-Jr.): Started the first six games of the year before suffering a season-ending injury against Charleston Southern … at the time of his injury, he ranked ninth on the team in tackles and tied for sixth in tackles for a loss … finished two of his six games with five tackles … first five-tackle game came against Ball State, helping the Flames post an upset victory over the FBS foe … second five-tackle performance came against Charleston Southern, which included four solo tackles and a 10-yard tackle for a loss … posted four assisted stop during Liberty’s battle with No. 3 James Madison … helped the Flames finish the season ranked No. 20 nationally in rushing defense … also led the Big South and ranked No. 17 in the country in total defense (309.18 yards allowed per game) and No. 24 in scoring defense (20.81 points per game).

2009 (R-So.): Saw playing time in all 11 games … finished the year with 19 total tackles, including eight solo and 11 assisted stops … one of 11 players on the team with an interception, helping Liberty rank No. 16 in the country in total interceptions (17) … ranked tied for sixth in the Big South in interception return yardage (50) … also finished the year with a fumble recovery, which came in Liberty’s victory over VMI, helping the Flames set a new single-game school record with six fumble recoveries … posted his second and third-best games of the year against conference foes Presbyterian (three tackles) and VMI (four tackles) … finished the N.C. Central game with a season-high five tackles, including four assisted stops … helped Liberty finish the year ranked No. 24 in scoring defense (19.09), No. 24 in fumbles recovered (12), No. 1 in turnover margin (1.91) and No. 9 in turnovers gained (29).

2008 (R-Fr.): Gained valuable experience by playing in all 12 games … finished the year with five tackles … one solo and four assisted … also added an assisted tackle for a loss of one yard during the first two games of the year … tallied two assisted stops against North Greenville and Glenville State to open the year … picked up a solo stop against VMI.

2007 (Fr.): Redshirted.

Prep: Graduated from Cardinal Mooney High School … four-year varsity letterwinner … named most valuable lineman during his junior year … finished his junior year with six sacks … selected most inspirational as a senior … five sacks as a senior … helped his squad to an undefeated 11-0 season as a senior.

Personal: Son of Paul and Ellen Connolly … birthday is on March 7 … has an athletic background as his uncle, Larry Henshaw, played tight end for Lehigh and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles … majoring in kinesiology.