[Pamikol]

Chris Mayo #32 WS from New Jersey has been flying under the radar as a true Freshmen on this team. He played a Postgraduate semester at Fork Union Military Academy last year and enrolled at Liberty in January. This kid is a humble worker and can play the game. Look for him flying around the ball every time he is in the game.

[jenkins]

The reason we couldn't run the ball was because they were stacking 8 and 9 men in the box all the time daring us to throw because they didn't want to get beat up physically up front. This left no help over the top for overmatched corners against the likes of Hayes, Summers, and Kelly. Rocco even said in the postgame they dicatated waht we did with offense, I just think we were a little slow pulling the trigger on changing how we attacked. I realize this was a tune up game but you can't waste a series in the next 3 games.

-hated to see Bevins be put in the situation to miss a 50+ yarder right off the get go in a managable 4th down.

-still not in favoring of playing burning Gabe's redshirt. Especially with the vast improvement of both Hayes, Kelly, and Dearmon. I just don't see the point in blowing his redshirt if he's the 5th option, remember Garner didn't even play today.

-Summers is just unfair, I haven't seen a corner in the past 2 years that can match up with him. He has bulked up and his hands are like glue. We could have thrown it to him all day long yesterday and they couldn't have done a thing about it. Just like I said a year ago, he has a little of that Randy Moss in him that no matter where you throw the ball he's gonna make a play on it, (hail mary pass), the underthrown balletc.)

-Mike Brown, his arm is much improved, sure he made a couple bad throws but in warmups you could see that he and Breenan were both hitting guys on long routes right on the numbers, and then it continued in the game. Brennan really only seems to have one weakness in that he holds the ball too long occasionally and doesn't have the feet to extend the play like MB does. I was really pleased with his play.

The only real concern I have is that SFU's passing attack was so bad that our secondary didn't really get tested. Therefore we shouldve been the one's with 8 or 9 men in the box to just totally stuff their ground game, which we did other than the first drive. I will say that was a bit surprisign to see that happen.

should be a good game next week.

[jcmanson]

Chris Mayo started the game ahead of Brandon Robinson and was all over the place.

I agree with jenkins about Gabe. He didn't come in until late in the 4th. Against St freakin Francis. With Garner and Eden both out. Garner should be back next week and Eden should be back for the stretch run. If this kid is as good as everyone says then this is turning out to be a wasted year of eligibility. But it's still early, we'll see how it plays out.

Demetrius Ward looked good on defense. As did Danny Broggin.

And I've never heard anyone mention it but DB Jeffrey Henderson #29 is Gabe's brother.

[jenkins]

Manson, it just doesn't make sense at all does it? I mean if he's a future QB why play him in garbage time at a position that he's the 5th option. I don't understand that at all.

[olldflame]

My earlier prediction holds. If Tracy Curry is eligible next fall, they will redshirt Gabe and practice him exclusively at QB, where he will compete for the starting role in 12.

I'm really happy for DeArmon, but what he did against St. Francis in garbage time of a blowout doesn't mean he will play a big role this year. I think Gabe will make some much needed big plays for us before this season is over.

[BJWilliams]

The reason we couldn't run the ball was because they were stacking 8 and 9 men in the box all the time daring us to throw because they didn't want to get beat up physically up front. This left no help over the top for overmatched corners against the likes of Hayes, Summers, and Kelly. Rocco even said in the postgame they dicatated waht we did with offense, I just think we were a little slow pulling the trigger on changing how we attacked. I realize this was a tune up game but you can't waste a series in the next 3 games.

-hated to see Bevins be put in the situation to miss a 50+ yarder right off the get go in a managable 4th down.

-still not in favoring of playing burning Gabe's redshirt. Especially with the vast improvement of both Hayes, Kelly, and Dearmon. I just don't see the point in blowing his redshirt if he's the 5th option, remember Garner didn't even play today.

-Summers is just unfair, I haven't seen a corner in the past 2 years that can match up with him. He has bulked up and his hands are like glue. We could have thrown it to him all day long yesterday and they couldn't have done a thing about it. Just like I said a year ago, he has a little of that Randy Moss in him that no matter where you throw the ball he's gonna make a play on it, (hail mary pass), the underthrown balletc.)

-Mike Brown, his arm is much improved, sure he made a couple bad throws but in warmups you could see that he and Breenan were both hitting guys on long routes right on the numbers, and then it continued in the game. Brennan really only seems to have one weakness in that he holds the ball too long occasionally and doesn't have the feet to extend the play like MB does. I was really pleased with his play.

The only real concern I have is that SFU's passing attack was so bad that our secondary didn't really get tested. Therefore we shouldve been the one's with 8 or 9 men in the box to just totally stuff their ground game, which we did other than the first drive. I will say that was a bit surprisign to see that happen.

should be a good game next week.

You can redshirt someone at any time...so just becuase they didnt redshirt him this year doesnt mean that option is off the table, Coach Rocco obviously saw a need and (with Eden and Garner out) and he saw the kind of talent that Gabe has and so they want to give him a chance (just like a certain QB who did a pretty good job himself yesterday). Coach Rocco hasnt made a bad decsion yet with how to use players and I trust he knows better than we do about what he sees in Gabe and what he can bring to the table.

[bigsmooth]

i was a bit concerned for most of the first half, but overall a very nice win. we always start slow for some reason. mike brown was terrific as well as the entire receiving corps. i do not really understand the decision to burn henderson's redshirt, but as always i trust coach rocco and is doing what he thinks best. maybe someone should ask coach that question tuesday night. it was cool to go back to city stadium and the athletic dept. did a terrific job in honoring the previous coaches. now let's get ball state!

[SuperJon]

Eden should be back for the stretch run.

That's ridiculously optimistic. Even if cleared to play, Jimmy has lost a crap ton of weight and there's no telling how much his speed has gone down and all of that. I think the realistic chances are the he gets a med-red this year and comes back in the spring.

As for Gabe, he's been said to already be at the level that most of our WRs were after a year or two in the program at wide receiver. He's still learning the position so, a lot like Mike Brown, he won't play too much at the beginning of the year but by week eight or so he'll be in a position where he's able to really contribute. Remember, Mike's first year at wide receiver we didn't see him much at all until the end of the year and then he really turned it on, especially against Elon.

[SuperJon]

I noticed that Francis Bah didn't play at all. The buzz is he has looked great in practice. I wonder if he is injured, or if they've decided to redshirt him. The roster says he is a R-freshman, but that makes no sense, since he was just signed this spring.

He was here a year before he was eligible, so that burned his redshirt. We also played a lot of 3-4-5 wide sets yesterday where there's no fullback. There wasn't as much opportunity to play him. He's very talented and has a lot of potential, but he's also very raw as well.

[Chris Lang]

Bah was hurt last week, some sort of abrasion on his shin that got infected. Rocco hoped he would be back by Wednesday, but he didn't practice then or Thursday either. Usually, if a guy doesn't practice Thursday, he's a no-go for Saturday.

[LUnpretty11]

I noticed that Francis Bah didn't play at all. The buzz is he has looked great in practice. I wonder if he is injured, or if they've decided to redshirt him. The roster says he is a R-freshman, but that makes no sense, since he was just signed this spring.

He was here a year before he was eligible, so that burned his redshirt. We also played a lot of 3-4-5 wide sets yesterday where there's no fullback. There wasn't as much opportunity to play him. He's very talented and has a lot of potential, but he's also very raw as well.

Lang also talked about how he had a boot on the leg due to a pretty bad turf burn...? If I'm remembering correctly. And he was supposed to sit out yesterday. He should be good to go for the next game though.

[jenkins]

BJ...it's common knowledge you can redshirt a player anytime. We are just saying that it doesnt really seem to make sense if he's going to move right back to QB next year when/if Curry comes back. Also, of course it's not known that Dearmon is going to make that big of an impact, but I'm saying that we did all that without Garner (who was probably the number 2 guy going into yesterday). I mean maybe what SJ said makes some sense about him coming on late in the year but unless we get season ending injuries we have atleast 4 maybe 5 guys if Dearmon plays close to that that are capable guys. I think it's just a decision of weighing whether it's worth it or not. Just have to trust Rocco and go with it, but from the outside it seems a bit weird.

Chris- have you heard anything regarding Garner and Lillard that would make you think they won't be ready for Ball State? i certainly think it was wise to rest nicked up guys yesterday to have them ready.

[Chris Lang]

From everything I heard, jenkins, both will be ready next week. I'll know more after Tuesday's presser.

[EagleOne]

After a sluggish start the team hit it's stride and started dominating like expected. Of course this was St. Francis, but still, a good way to get the season started. We'll definitely find out a lot more next week though.

[jcmanson]

Eden should be back for the stretch run.

That's ridiculously optimistic. Even if cleared to play, Jimmy has lost a crap ton of weight and there's no telling how much his speed has gone down and all of that. I think the realistic chances are the he gets a med-red this year and comes back in the spring.

Rocco said he thinks he could be back by conference play. I thought that was a little soon, but figured he'd know better than me.

[EagleOne]

One more thing, reading through the game thread from yesterday, did jk37 watch the same game I did or does he just have a personal vendetta? I thought the announcers did a good job, minus a couple of bobbles. I even thought Paul did better on TV than he often does on radio. I especially thought it amusing when this jk37 kid took exception to a comment about a 51 yard FG being called a chip shot. Did jk not pick up on the sarcasm in that statement or is he just too focused on some type of agenda?

Anyways I appreciate being able to see the home games on TV and thought both booth announcers and the sideline crew did a good job, especially for the first game of the year. Looking forward to watching the rest of the season on the LIberty Network.

[Schfourteenteen]

One more thing, reading through the game thread from yesterday, did jk37 watch the same game I did or does he just have a personal vendetta? I thought the announcers did a good job, minus a couple of bobbles. I even thought Paul did better on TV than he often does on radio. I especially thought it amusing when this jk37 kid took exception to a comment about a 51 yard FG being called a chip shot. Did jk not pick up on the sarcasm in that statement or is he just too focused on some type of agenda?

Anyways I appreciate being able to see the home games on TV and thought both booth announcers and the sideline crew did a good job, especially for the first game of the year. Looking forward to watching the rest of the season on the LIberty Network.

The easy answer is he watched the same game you did.

[EagleOne]

The easy answer is he watched the same game you did.

Well his agenda was definitely showing. First game of the season and he was more interested in obsessively nitpicking the announcers.

[FlamingChick]

I thought it was a good first game. Although, I was pretty nervous in the beginning. LIke a few other folks have stated, I wonder why it took so long to give up on the run and go to the air? Definitely will have to try to get better with the running game, but at least we have a QB who can put the ball where it needs to be.

I was also wondering why coach burned Gabe's redshirt, but then as I started thinking more about it, perhaps Gabe will not only be working at WR, but also come in for a few specialty plays, just like Mike did when Brock was QB. It could be the same situation. I'm sure they have something up their sleeve, since Rocco usually likes to redshirt the freshmen. We'll just have to wait and see.

Looking forward to making the trip to ball state next weekend!

[ToTheLeft]

Remember guys, we all kinda felt the same about SiChauncey last year. Depth is needed at every position. Gabe is a useful, versatile player, and I'm sure he'll be well worth the lack of a redshirt.

[jcmanson]

Not quite the same though. Chauncey was 3rd on the depth chart. It appears Gabe is 5th, at best, with 2 guys out. Also, Gabe has been compared to MB. Why burn a year of performance as the 5th best WR when we could save that year for when he could be a stud at WR/QB.

Like I said earlier, we'll see how it plays out. Gabe might not see much time all year, but the plan could be to redshirt him next year. Or he could develop into our 3rd WR by the end of the year.

I'm not a fan of it today, but I could be before it's all said and done.

[BJWilliams]

Nothing wrong with questioning the decision but in 4 years Coach Rocco hasnt made a personnel decision that has turned out wrong so I trust he knows what he is doing and that he will use gabe in the way that not only is in line with his philosophy but also mazimize his athletic talent.

[olldflame]

Questioning decisions is fine, but not after one cupcake opponent. If we are 5 or 6 games in and Gabe is still only playing at garbage time, then maybe you can say it was a mistake not to redshirt him. As far as losing a year of his services at QB is concerned, he would probably be 3rd string behind Mike and Tyler next year anyway, and we should be much deeper at WR. I fully expect him to be redshirted next year.

[thepostman]

One more thing, reading through the game thread from yesterday, did jk37 watch the same game I did or does he just have a personal vendetta? I thought the announcers did a good job, minus a couple of bobbles. I even thought Paul did better on TV than he often does on radio. I especially thought it amusing when this jk37 kid took exception to a comment about a 51 yard FG being called a chip shot. Did jk not pick up on the sarcasm in that statement or is he just too focused on some type of agenda?

Anyways I appreciate being able to see the home games on TV and thought both booth announcers and the sideline crew did a good job, especially for the first game of the year. Looking forward to watching the rest of the season on the LIberty Network.

Paul was fine...it was the color commentating that made me turn the audio off and turn the radio broadcasting on.

I am thankful for the tv, that is for sure...but the color commentating was way below standards. Hopefully it was just season opening jitters

[jenkins]

I dont know that we are questioning decisions, well I guess we are. It would be interesting to know the plan is all that most of us are wondering. As far as using him for trick plays, I want those plays in MB's hands every chance we get. Maybe you see them like Gabe and MB up in the backfield at the same time with some kind of wildcat formation and you dont knwo who's getting the ball or where they are going. I dunno, I just hope we dont waste his year that's all I'm saying.