Game Day Central: VMI
10/14/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
VMI Game Notes (PDF Version)
Live Stats (provided by VMIKeydets.com)
Live Video (via the Big South Network)
VMI Game Day Information:
Foster Stadium
Parking
Directions
Radio Coverage
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Flagship Station:
Victory FM (88.3 FM WRVL)
Network Affiliates:
88.3 FM Lynchburg, Roanoke, Danville, Va.
88.3 FM Elizabeth City, N.C.
91.1 FM Roanoke Rapids, N.C.
94.3 FM Norlina, N.C.
90.5 FM Zebulon, N.C.
90.7 FM Murfreesboro, N.C.
94.9 FM Richmond, Va.
89.5 FM Winchester, Va.
89.5 FM Berryville, Va.
95.9 FM Gainesville, Va.
102.9 FM Chantilly, Va.
91.7 FM Warrenton, Va.
89.7 FM Aquia Harbor, Woodbridge, Dale City, Va.
94.1 FM Fredericksburg, Va.
106.9 FM Midlothian, Va.
95.3 FM Culpeper, Va.
101.3 FM Harrisonburg, Va.
96.7 FM Charlottesville, Va.
100.3 FM Waynesboro, Va.
103.5 FM Clifton Forge, Covington, Va.
101.9 FM Wytheville, Va.
106.5 FM Pulaski, Radford, Dublin, Va.
105.1 FM Marion, Va.
103.7 FM South Boston, Va.
107.5 FM South Hill, Va.
105.7 FM Raleigh, N.C.
105.5 FM Durham, N.C.
103.7 FM Roxboro, N.C.
98.5 FM Creedmoor, N.C.
95.1 FM Burlington, Graham, N.C.
102.5 FM Winston-Salem, N.C.
97.7 FM Suffolk, Va.
97.7 FM Newport News, Va.
97.7 FM Virginia Beach, Va.
99.3 FM Virginia Beach, Va.
101.7 FM Virginia Beach, Va.
Television Coverage
Liberty Channel - Local Coverage
(WTLU regionally in Lynchburg market)
Game Will be Carried Live
More on the Liberty Channel
WSET 13.2 - Local/Regional Coverage
(WRTN is the Digital 2 station for WSET - Channel 13 in the Lynchburg/Roanoke markets)
Game Will be Carried Live
More on WSET
FamilyNet - National Coverage
Game Will be Carried Live
More on FamilyNet
Link to Full Station Listing
MASN - Regional Coverage
Game Will be Carried on a Delayed Basis (Will air on Oct. 16 @ 7 p.m.)
More on MASN
Link to Full Station Listing
JCTV - National Coverage
Game Will be Carried on a Delayed Basis
More on JCTV
Link to Full Station Listing
Christian Television Network - Regional Coverage
Game Will be Carried Live
More on CTN
Link to Full Station Listing
Additional Live Coverage:
WPDE - Channel 15 (Myrtle Beach, S.C.)
WFMZ - Channel 69 (Philadelphia, Pa.
ESPN GamePlan and ESPN3.com
Click here for more information
Today's Game
The Flames begin a brief two-game road stretch on Saturday to close out the month of October. Liberty travels to Lexington, Va., today to face VMI before taking the following week off and closing out the month at Presbyterian on Oct. 31.
Series against the Keydets
Liberty enters today's game having won its last four meetings with the Keydets and holds a 6-3 overall series lead with VMI dating back to the two team's first meeting in 1995. Since the Keydets joined the Big South in 2003, Liberty has won six out of seven meetings.
Plentiful Points against VMI
Liberty holds a four-game winning streak against VMI, thanks to an offensive explosion against the Keydets. Liberty has almost doubled up VMI in the previous four meetings, having outscored the Keydets, 203 to 106. Liberty scored 38 points in the previous two meetings in Lexington, while putting up 73 (2007) and 54 (2009) points at home in Williams Stadium.
Commonwealth Clash
Liberty enters today's matchup with VMI with a 33-30 overall record against teams from inside the Commonwealth of Virginia. Of the 11 Virginia-based teams Liberty has previously faced, St. Paul's and VMI are the two teams Liberty has the most total victories against (6), followed by James Madison with five wins over the Dukes.
Liberty vs. Virginia Opponents
Bridgewater 2-2
Ferrum 3-4
Hampden-Sydney 0-3
Hampton 4-2
James Madison 5-11
Norfolk State 3-1
St. Paul's 6-0
Virginia State 2-0
Virginia Union 2-0
VMI 6-3
William & Mary 0-4
Total 33-30
Homecoming Happiness
Last weekend, Liberty welcomed Charleston Southern to Williams Stadium for the program's annual Homecoming contest. Liberty won the contest, 44-20, giving the Flames a 70.3 winning percentage in Homecoming contests (26-of-37).
Snapping the "Sellout" String
Liberty played its annual Homecoming contest in front of 18,587, which was the largest Homecoming crowd in program history. However, with the expansion of Williams Stadium, which now seats 19,200, Liberty did not fill the stadium beyond capacity for the first time in eight games. The last time Liberty did not fill its on-campus facility beyond capacity was on Nov. 22, 2008, when Liberty completed a 10-win season with a 26-3 victory over No. 12 Elon in front of 7,751 fans.
Big South Openers
Liberty reeled off its fourth-straight Big South opening victory last weekend, when the Flames downed Charleston Southern, 44-20, as part of Homecoming weekend. All four of the league-opening wins were by sizeable margins, as Liberty posted victories over Charleston Southern in 2007 (50-10), Stony Brook in 2008 (33-0) and Coastal Carolina in 2009 (58-13). Liberty is 4-1 in Big South openers under head coach Danny Rocco and 6-3 since league play started in 2002.
Five-Spot Improvement
Liberty's 24-point Big South opening victory over Charleston Southern impressed both the national media and coaches, as the Flames moved up five spots in both the Sports Network/Fathead.com and FCS Coaches polls this week. Liberty is now ranked No. 19 in the Sports Network listing and No. 21 in the FCS Coaches poll. The Flames were one of five programs this week that improved five or more spots in either national listing.
A Rankings Review
Dating back to the second week of the 2008 season, Liberty has been ranked inside the Top 25 for 28 out of the last 36 weekly polls (including preseason and end of the year rankings). Following their victory over Glenville State on Sept. 6, 2008, The Flames jumped into the Top 25 at No. 25 and remained there the rest of the season. Liberty was in and out of the polls in 2009, as the Flames received a Top 25 billing in nine of the 13 polls released last season.
The Points are Back
After failing to score a touchdown for just the second time under head coach Danny Rocco in a 10-3 setback at No. 3 James Madison, the Flames have quickly rebounded during their latest two home games. Liberty has scored a combined 96 points in its last two games (52 against Savannah State and 44 against Charleston Southern). Liberty now ranks No. 16 nationally in scoring offense, as the Flames are averaging 33.5 points per game.
Location, Location, Location
The common quote is not just limited to real estate, as the location of a game for the Flames is relevant to their scoring success, as well. In 28 home games under head coach Danny Rocco, Liberty is outscoring its opponents by 24.57 points per game (39.25 PF-14.68 PA), as compared to a slim 3.05 advantage in 23 road games (27.57 PF-24.52 PA).
Fourth Quarter Friendly
Liberty held a 16-14 edge over Charleston Southern heading into the final 15 minutes of play, last weekend. However, the Flames' offense came alive during the fourth quarter, outscoring Charleston Southern, 28-6. Last year, the Flames outscored Big South foes 97-43 in the fourth quarter and 150-53 during the second half.
Rushing Attack is Back
After rushing for an average of 116.25 yards and three touchdowns during the first four games of the season, Liberty has turned things around the last two games. The Flames rushed for a season-high 288 yards against Savannah State and 163 yards against Charleston Southern, while scoring three rushing touchdowns in both contests. Liberty now ranks No. 45 in the country in rushing offense (152.7 yards per game) and has scored nine touchdowns on the ground.
At This Rate
Through six games this season, Liberty is on a pace to potentially surpass some of its team passing records. At its current pace, Liberty would finish the regular season 246-of-370 for 3,285 yards (298.7 average) and 31 touchdowns. Liberty's program records in these categories are: 262 (completions), 446 (attempts), 3,257 (yards), 296.1 (passing average) and 25 (touchdowns).
Making it Count
Not only are the Flames racking up large passing yards this season, but Liberty is doing so at a high rate of efficiency. The Flames are one of two FCS programs in the country to have passed for more than 1,700 yards this season (1,792), with a completion percentage above 66 percent (66.34 percent). Murray State is the other program, as the Racers have passed for 1,831 yards and have completed 69.61 percent of its pass attempts. The Flames also rank No. 7 in passing efficiency (160.74), while Murray State ranks No. 25 (138.15).
First Down Focus
Liberty currently ranks No. 9 nationally in first down offense, by averaging 23.17 first downs per game, while ranking No. 13 in first down defense, by allowing 15.67 per game. The Flames are one of three FCS programs in the country to currently rank inside the Top 15 in both statistical categories, as they are joined by Penn (22.25/11.00) and Yale (24.00/15.75).
Taking Better Care of the Ball
Since taking over the program in 2006, head coach Danny Rocco has tried to instill the importance of taking care of the football. Liberty has finished inside the Top 25 all four years under Rocco in turnover margin, highlighted by the 2009 campaign, where the Flames led the country in turnover margin (+1.91). Liberty ranked No. 7 in 2007 (1.27), No. 20 in 2006 (0.55) and No. 21 in 2008 (0.67) in turnover margin.
Double the Fun
Liberty came into the Charleston Southern match-up with five turnovers forced in five games. However, the Flames matched their season total against the Buccaneers, forcing Charleston Southern to give the ball away five times (two interceptions and three fumbles). Liberty converted two of those five turnovers into touchdowns. This marked the sixth time under head coach Danny Rocco the Flames have finished a game by forcing five or more turnovers.
Making Them Count
Liberty has scored on 60 of its last 62 drives that have crossed the opponent's 20-yard line. The Flames have made the most of those scoring chances, finding a way to record a touchdown on 42 of the 60 scoring drives (70.0 percent). This season, Liberty has scored 21 of the 22 times the squad has crossed the opponent's 20-yard line, including 14 touchdowns.
Bend but Don't Break
Liberty is one of the best teams in the country in terms of red zone scoring defense, as the Flames have allowed just four touchdowns when their opponents have crossed their 20-yard line. South Alabama leads the country with zero red zone touchdowns allowed, followed by Columbia and James Madison, who have each allowed three red zone touchdowns.
Tallying TFLs
Getting behind the line of scrimmage seems to be a point of emphasis for the Flames this year, as Liberty has finished four out of six games with seven or more tackles for a loss. Liberty currently ranks No. 39 nationally in tackles for a loss (6.50 per game) and has tallied seven or more tackles for a loss in 21 games under head coach Danny Rocco since 2006.
Turning Negatives into Positives
The Flames have finished the last two games by allowing five combined tackles for a loss, as Savannah State finished with two TFLs and Charleston Southern recorded three negative-yardage stops. Liberty comes into today's game ranked No. 15 nationally in tackles for a loss allowed, as opponents are averaging 4.33 TFLs per contest against the Flames.
Fewer Flags
After being penalized for a season high eight penalties against Robert Morris, the Flames have finished the last two games with only three infractions against both James Madison and Savannah State and five against Charleston Southern. Liberty currently ranks No. 7 nationally in fewest penalties per game (4.33) and No. 13 in fewest penalty yards per game (40.00).
Punt Returns Piling Up
Liberty's stout defense has forced opposing punters to keep busy during a game, as the Flames opponents are averaging twice as many punts to Liberty's punt total (18 by Liberty and 36 by opponents). Liberty currently ranks No. 13 nationally with 15 punt returns and No. 29 in average yards per return (12.3).
Better Day against the Bucs
For the fourth time in six games this year, Mike Brown finished a contest with 300 or more total offensive yards. The junior posted a career-best 403 total offensive yards this past weekend against Charleston Southern, doing so with 93 rushing yards and 310 passing yards.
Joining the Elite
Mike Brown is the first Big South quarterback in league history to begin a season by passing for 200 or more yards in six-straight games and the junior is the third quarterback to put together such a six-game stretch in program history. Robby Justino was the first to do so in 1991, while Brock Smith passed for 200 or more yards in six-consecutive games that spanned the 2007 and 2008 seasons.
Accurate and Efficient
Mike Brown is one of only three FCS quarterbacks in the country to currently rank inside the Top 10 in both total passing yards (No. 5/1,625) and passing efficiency (No. 8/155.82). He is joined on the elite listing by Jacksonville's Josh McGregor (1,859/163.64) and Montana State's Denarius McGhee (1,568/159.89).
Double Digit Dandy
Mike Brown threw for three touchdowns against Charleston Southern last weekend, giving the junior 14 touchdown passes on the season. Brown is one of 22 FCS quarterbacks in the country to have thrown for 10 or more touchdown passes in 2010 and currently ranks No. 5 in total touchdown passes.
Matching His Mark from Last Year
For the third time in six weeks, Mike Brown was named Big South Offensive Player of the Week, honoring his 403 total offensive yards against Charleston Southern. The junior accomplished the same feat last season, as he was named Big South Offensive Player of the Week three times en route to the Big South Offensive Player of the Year award.
Doing It All
Mike Brown currently leads the Flames in both rushing and passing. The junior has carried the ball 74 times for 351 yards, while having completed 120-of-184 passing attempts for 1,625 yards. Brown has factored into Liberty's offensive heavily in 2010, as the junior has contributed to 64.02 percent of the team's total offensive plays (258-of-403) and 72.97 percent of the team's total offensive yards (1,976-of-2,708).
Touchdown Machine
Mike Brown factored into five of Liberty's six touchdowns against Charleston Southern on Saturday, throwing for three scores and rushing for another two. On the year, Brown has played a part in 18 of the Flames' 27 touchdowns, having thrown for 14 touchdowns and adding four rushing touchdowns. On the year, he ranks No. 5 nationally in points responsible for, averaging 18.00 points per game.
A Baker's Dozen
Provided that Mike Brown can finished with 24 total offensive yards during the last five regular season games of the season, the quarterback will become the 13th player in program history to finish a season with 2,000 or more total offensive years. Only two players have accomplished the feat in the last 11 seasons, as Biff Parson did so in 2000 (2,525) and Brock Smith in 2007 (2,265) and 2008 (2,707).
Record in Danger
Mike Brown is currently averaging 329.3 total offensive yards per game, which has the junior ranked No. 3 nationally in the statistical category. Should the quarterback continue as this rate for the remainder of the year, he would finish the regular season with 3,619 total offensive yards. This figure would shatter Liberty's program record that Phil Basso set in 1984 (3,127 yards).
National Leader
Chris Summers caught a touchdown in the corner of the end zone in the fourth quarter against Charleston Southern, last weekend, giving him nine scoring receptions in six games. Summers is currently tied for the national lead with nine touchdowns (along with Elon's Aaron Mellette) and ranks No. 3 in total receiving yards (609).
100-Yard Wonders
For the third time this year and the fourth time in his career, Chris Summers finished a game with 100 or more receiving yards. The junior pulled down eight receptions for 132 yards and three touchdowns against Savannah State on Oct. 2. Summers is the 10th player in program history with four or more 100-yard career games. Pat Nelson (1988-91) holds the school record with nine 100-yard games.
Eyeing a New Benchmark
Thought six games this season, Chris Summers has recorded nine touchdown receptions, which has the junior leading the nation in the statistical category. With just less than half the season left to play, Summers needs just one more touchdown passes to tie Eric Green's single-season record, as the former first-round NFL draft pick recorded 10 touchdowns during his senior year in 1989.
Bevins' New Big South Benchmark
Matt Bevins gave Liberty a 17-6 lead heading into the locker room at halftime with Charleston Southern, as the junior knocked down a 26-yard field goal. The short kick was the 41st of his career, setting a new Big South career record. The previous record was held by Josh Hoke, as the Coastal Carolina kicker finished his career with 40 field goals.
Right with Whitehead
Matt Bevins connected on a 26-yard field goal late in the second quarter against Charleston Southern, giving the junior 41 career field goals. The career total is just two behind Daniel Whitehead (1991-94), who holds the program record with 43 career field goals.
Matt's Miss Ends Streak
Matt Bevins missed a point-after attempt against Charleston Southern last weekend, after Liberty scored its second touchdown of the game. The miss snapped a streak where the junior had connected on 51-straight PATs, which is the second-longest consecutive PAT streak in program history (longest was Mark DeMoss' 82-consecutive PATs). The last time that Bevins had missed a PAT was against Lafayette on Sept. 19, 2009. The junior is 83-of-86 on point-after attempts for his career at Liberty.
Pinning Them Deep in the Zone
Mike Larsson finished the Charleston Southern game with three punts for a total of 123 yards (41.0 average), with two of his three punts starting the Buccaneers at the own 20-yard line. Factoring in his two punts against Charleston Southern, Larsson has now recorded 31 out of 73 career punts where the result has pinned the opponent inside the 20-yard line (42.5 percent).
Hayes Has his Way
Charleston Southern did something last weekend that few other teams have been able to do all year by keeping B.J. Hayes in check when returning punts. The junior finished with one punt return for negative five yards, dropping his senior average back to 10.5 yards per return. The figure ranks No. 25 nationally and second in the Big South behind VMI's Michael Rainey-Wiles, who is averaging 15.2 yards per return.
Total Team Effort
Liberty currently leads the Big South in scoring defense, as the Flames (17.33 points per game allowed) rank more than seven points ahead of No. 2 Gardner-Webb (24.60 points per game allowed). The Flames' staunch defense is a team effort, as the Flames only have two tacklers currently ranked inside the league's Top 25 in tacklers per game (Kyle O'Donnell at No. 7/7.2 per game and Doncel Bolt at No. 22/5.0 per game).
Chris' Conference Honors
Chris Mayo finished the Charleston Southern game with six tackles, marking his second best performance in a Liberty uniform. Following the game, Mayo was named the Big South Freshman of the Week on Oct. 11. The rookie finished the game with a career-best four solo tackles, added his second sack of the season (for a 12-yard loss) and the first two forced fumbles of his career.
Claiborne Keeps Coming
Larry Claiborne opened Big South Conference play in style, as the defensive back led Liberty with seven tackles against the Buccaneers, including four solo tackles. The junior now ranks third on the team in total tackles with 28 stops, including 15 solo tackles.
Leader of the Pack
Kyle O'Donnell has finished as Liberty's defensive leader in three of the last four games, doing so against Robert Morris (six tackles), James Madison (14 tackles) and Savannah State (seven tackles). O'Donnell currently leads the Flames with 43 tackles and ranks No. 7 in the Big South by averaging 7.2 stops per contest.
Nearing the Century Mark
Four current defenders are less than 20 career tackles away from hitting the 100-career tackle mark. Kyle O'Donnell leads that group with 93 career stops, followed by Patrick Bannon (89), Larry Claiborne (86) and Terry Adams (82). Chad Brown currently leads all active tacklers with 134 career stops, followed by Doncel Bolt with 112 career tackles.
