[jcmanson]

and on an unrelated note, its cool to have the sites merged so we can get content on the front page then come here.

works just like I thought it would.

I think I should get residuals or something for my great concept.

Sometime during the month of October, we should have it where once you come to the message board, you can easily navigate back to other parts of FlamesNation.

[flamesfilmguy]

OK I have to ask this because it is bothering me. Yes its frustrating that we lost to Richmond and rocco. Yes We haven't made the playoffs. But if we HAD won that game wouldn't that still be worrisome issue? Beating richmond would do nothing more for us than a giant pat on the back, make our record against in state schools look "less worse" and maybe look like a quality win at the end of the year(barring an epic meltdown by RU). If we won and then lost to a presby(again) or Chuck South whoever, We'd still be having this conversation. we'd be eliminated from playoff contention because if we lose GWU or CCU most certainly would win the conference. I just think this game has been over dramatized as the beginning of the demise of our season. Just my .02 feel free to disagree.

[jcmanson]

Beating richmond would do nothing more for us than a giant pat on the back, make our record against in state schools look "less worse"

You have to start somewhere. Right now we are an afterthought. Playing 2 hours from campus, in front of 2500 people tops, and no one cares about us because it's "just Liberty."

[flamesfilmguy]

Beating richmond would do nothing more for us than a giant pat on the back, make our record against in state schools look "less worse"

You have to start somewhere

I agree. I definitely think it would be a step forward but I'm not convinced its the be all end all defining moment of our season as some seem to be making it out to be.

[Dr. Sheh]

Beating richmond would do nothing more for us than a giant pat on the back, make our record against in state schools look "less worse"

You have to start somewhere

I agree. I definitely think it would be a step forward but I'm not convinced its the be all end all defining moment of our season as some seem to be making it out to be.

I don't think it is the be all, end all, but the Richmond game is indicative of where our program is at regardless of who has been head coach. As many have said, we just don't win games that matter. For every Elon, Ball State & Stony, there is multiple Big South headscratchers (our yearly WTF game) and multiple losses to William & Mary, JMU, the other Elon game, Montana, Lehigh, 2010 Robert Morris, etc.

That said, new coach, new era, still everything left to play for this season and I'm by no means giving up. I haven't given up on the season and am excited especially for the huge showdown with Coastal on the horizon. But this is where we are at the moment and getting over the hump can't come soon enough.

[SuperJon]

I think it's more of a confidence thing than anything. You don't know you can do something until you actually do it.

Look back to Rocco's first year. We were 6-5 and four of the losses were by less than a touchdown and three were within a field goal. We couldn't get over the hump of winning close games because our guys had never won a close game.

Fast forward a year: the two games within a touchdown were both losses. Still hadn't won a close game.

In 08, we go on the road and beat WCU by a field goal. We finally win a close game, and on the road to boot. We go out the next week and beat Youngstown on the road by a field goal. We beat Coastal, on the road, by five. We won five of our next seven games that were within a touchdown after that WCU game.

Beating Richmond would've proven that we could do it which would give our guys more confidence going into the next one.

[BJWilliams]

The football games are tied to mens and women's basketball as well if memory serves so itll take making alterations there to make that sort of thing happen (getting out of next year's football game)

[TH Spangler]

Beating richmond would do nothing more for us than a giant pat on the back, make our record against in state schools look "less worse"

You have to start somewhere. Right now we are an afterthought. Playing 2 hours from campus, in front of 2500 people tops, and no one cares about us because it's "just Liberty."

Our average football crowd doubles theirs. They are well aware and probably a bit envious of how we support the Flames. So that press box comment, "just Liberty" doesn't surprise me at all coming from a Spider follower. There's more ways than one to measure a programs success. I think we have the right coach, fans and facilities .... be patient fellas.

I'm looking forward to seeing the Spiders @ Williams next season! Before a record crowd maybe ... over 20,000.

Rocco don't let us down, be there!

[TH Spangler]

I remember the JMU game @ Williams a couple of seasons ago .... 4 inches of rain and a packed house, and no one left early. So rain is not a good Spider excuse. And if people are not showing up because they are playing Liberty, why didn't I have trouble selling my extra ticket outside Carter Finley two years ago. It was a sellout, 50,000? Had 5 people trying to buy it.

[jcmanson]

Beating richmond would do nothing more for us than a giant pat on the back, make our record against in state schools look "less worse"

You have to start somewhere. Right now we are an afterthought. Playing 2 hours from campus, in front of 2500 people tops, and no one cares about us because it's "just Liberty."

Our average football crowd doubles theirs. They are well aware and probably a bit envious of how we support the Flames. So that press box comment, "just Liberty" doesn't surprise me at all coming from a Spider follower. There's more ways than one to measure a programs success. I think we have the right coach, fans and facilities .... be patient fellas.

I'm looking forward to seeing the Spiders @ Williams next season! Before a record crowd maybe ... over 20,000.

Rocco don't let us down, be there!

I'm sure they are not "well aware" and "envious" of us. If you haven't stepped foot on Liberty Mountain the past 5-6 years, you wouldn't know. And trust me, most of these people don't know. They look at Liberty as a little Bible college. Outside of Lynchburg, that's how we're perceived, particularly in athletics.

[jcmanson]

And if people are not showing up because they are playing Liberty, why didn't I have trouble selling my extra ticket outside Carter Finley two years ago. It was a sellout, 50,000? Had 5 people trying to buy it.

I think that had more to do with people wanting to see NC State play than Liberty.

[TH Spangler]

I'm sure they are not "well aware" and "envious" of us. If you haven't stepped foot on Liberty Mountain the past 5-6 years, you wouldn't know. And trust me, most of these people don't know. They look at Liberty as a little Bible college. Outside of Lynchburg, that's how we're perceived, particularly in athletics.

I bet the guy in the press box that made the statement is aware, or either he doesn't belong in a press box covering FCS football?

[jcmanson]

I'm sure they are not "well aware" and "envious" of us. If you haven't stepped foot on Liberty Mountain the past 5-6 years, you wouldn't know. And trust me, most of these people don't know. They look at Liberty as a little Bible college. Outside of Lynchburg, that's how we're perceived, particularly in athletics.

I bet the guy in the press box that made the statement is aware, or either he doesn't belong in a press box covering FCS football?

There's plenty of people in the press box that are doing various game ops type jobs that aren't FCS experts.

There's also full time media members that cover FCS football in Richmond including UR, JMU, W&M, even VMI yet doesn't even mention Liberty. And is completely unaware of the atmosphere and campus at Liberty.

I'm telling you, outside of Lynchburg, we're viewed as a small Bible college.

[PAmedic]

I'm telling you, outside of Lynchburg, we're viewed as a small Bible college.

THIS

up here few have heard of LU unless you're talking @ Lehigh or Lafayette

[TH Spangler]

I'm telling you, outside of Lynchburg, we're viewed as a small Bible college.

Well you might be right ..... I haven't found it to be the case around Greensboro though. Everyone seems to know about the growth. An example, last night a co-worker said he was in a barber shop in Winston Salem at the same time as a professor from Wake Forest U. He said the conversation was about Liberty's growth and the new Library. The professor went on and on about how impressive it was.

When I mention to someone down here that I'm a football season ticket holder it's always the same commit, "They have a strong football program up there".

I hope they always view LU as Christian; and hopefully the "small" part of the rumor takes care of itself. I can't think of anything else the school could do to move any faster. Win a few more football games I guess?

[BJWilliams]

I come from the 757 (ODU country) and if I mention Liberty or wear my Liberty hoodie anywhere, the comments are all positive about Liberty, and my alma mater and quite a few other schools in the area send kids to Liberty on a yearly basis. They also comment about the amount of growth that the university has shown as well (my barber back home has her share of comments on Dr Falwell...not all bad though)

[TH Spangler]

I understand what Jon is saying ... but I also think things are changing fast, the way he hopes. In spite of some set backs on the football field. Everyone goes crazy here after a disappointing loss.

[flamesfan30]

its interesting. liberty's name is growing regionally first, then nationally. working at a christian confrere center in Western nc, everyone has heard of liberty. but when i go back home to delaware, unless im talking to someone from my church, the response is always "wheres that, ive never heard of that school."

[SumItUp]

I don't care about perceptions. They will take care of themselves in time. Liberty doesn't need to be a big deal to everyone else, but it should be to us. The Chancellor is taking the school in the right direction. I live in middle America and wear my LU gear proudly and talk about the school all of the time. Most people don't know anything about Liberty, but regularly I hear from someone that they know someone that went to school at Liberty or was an online student. I don't take the approach that we are better than any other place, but I share that our school is experiencing rapid growth in numbers and facilities and remains committed to a Christian education. I'm excited to tell others about it. It's contagious. I regularly have people come back at a later time to me to talk about Liberty.

Our football team will be ok. We played a good game against a good team. The breaks went there way. It happens. Our team is disciplined and the kind of mistakes that we made were not typical. If they fumbled and we recovered on their 5-yard line and their special teams snaps were mishandled, we would have won the game by 9+ points. If that were the case, Richmond fans would be in meltdown after starting their season 1-3.

I recorded the game and watched the Hagen hit again last night. The hit was not illegal and it is ridiculous that he was ejected. Is there a process for protesting this type of call? Has it been done?

[jinxy]

Its definetely changed in roanoke. I have the mini helmet and golf tourney pics displayed in my office and most people comment on the unbelievable growth. I think most people are aware regionally. We really have to believe we can beat those teams before we ever will. A major stength of this staff seems to be that they dont make the games with the CAA the super bowl or whatever mickey matthews said a few years ago. It hasnt turned into wins yet but it doesnt seem like the players are as up tight as a few years ago in those games

[PAmedic]

when i go back home to delaware, unless im talking to someone from my church, the response is always "wheres that, ive never heard of that school."

ditto pa, nj and ny

[spencers777]

Why is everyone so concerned about everyone elses opinion of Liberty? It's a great school with excellent facilities and sports programs to match, even this years football team. Other folks opinion does'nt change any of that. If we take care of us the rest will work itself out. Or not, either way GO FLAMES!

[jinxy]

It does matter to an extent or else wed likely be headed to the sunbelt already

[Purple Haize]

It does matter to an extent or else wed likely be headed to the sunbelt already

That and some signature wins.....

[Purple Haize]

It sort of comes across like a mom telling an ugly dorky kid that it doesn't matter that they aren't popular. Eventually you grow up and realize that the popular kids still run the world.

There is a song about that you know