[From the class of 09]

Villanova proved they were better team on the day. Their four turnovers allowed Liberty to keep it close, but their back-breaking final drive was reminiscent of Liberty's from last week. They DOMINATED the LOS, and shoved it down Liberty's throat on way down field for winning score. That was defining of their slight superiority on just this day.

That said, nice season. See y'all in Morgantown!

That about sums it up

[PAmedic]

had a good time with SMOOTH and TH

great LU crowd- we out numbered them big time

the observations about the playcalling... yeah. try standing there in the rain watching it.

watching #2 crash into the back of his own lineman for no gain, oh- a billion times: mind numbing.

the 3rd and 1 call just killed us. But we looked at each other in the 1st half when we were kicking FGs and knew we were in trouble.

beyond frustrating.

at one point I was looking for batteries to throw

nothing like a train ride back home, soaking wet and PO'd

oh well. props to 'Nova - good team, horrendous stadium, poor fan support.

***
PS: tackling was atrocious

[forbidden]

I don't mind the playcalling honestly. Obviously, most everyone would go for it on 3rd and 1, which is why I'm fine with taking a chance. Gill took that chance and ultimately it hurt us. But had that play worked, everyone would be talking about how ballsy a play that was. I like a coach that takes chances. And by the way, taking those kind of chances has led to big wins the past couple of weeks.

Villanova has more talent than us. They've played a much better season too. I'm just glad that we hung in there. We're still a growing program, baby steps.

The absolute reason that its a bad call is because ur "best" we is NOT in the game and Dante was really hobbling at that point. Sure he caught passes but if he had ran the proper route depth the play before and not been a yard short, it would have been a first down. That man had not played prior to last night for three weeks, and he still did not look 100%. All year we banged up front with 41 in short yardage. DO WHAT YOU DO

[forbidden]

I don't mind the playcalling honestly. Obviously, most everyone would go for it on 3rd and 1, which is why I'm fine with taking a chance. Gill took that chance and ultimately it hurt us. But had that play worked, everyone would be talking about how ballsy a play that was. I like a coach that takes chances. And by the way, taking those kind of chances has led to big wins the past couple of weeks.

Villanova has more talent than us. They've played a much better season too. I'm just glad that we hung in there. We're still a growing program, baby steps.

Negative. Go back and watch replay. They had 3 down lineman, the backers vacated towards receivers. If Josh runs straight up the gut we get the 1 yard and we're still driving.

im actually surprised they did not pick this up earlier, that when we were in a trips formation, like you stated they buzzed the olb OUT underneath into the window that we normally like to throw and if they are running a three man line, then by all means we should have ran Josh on that QB ice or either him running the option for the one yard

[forbidden]

had a good time with SMOOTH and TH

great LU crowd- we out numbered them big time

the observations about the playcalling... yeah. try standing there in the rain watching it.

watching #2 crash into the back of his own lineman for no gain, oh- a billion times: mind numbing.

the 3rd and 1 call just killed us. But we looked at each other in the 1st half when we were kicking FGs and knew we were in trouble.

beyond frustrating.

at one point I was looking for batteries to throw

nothing like a train ride back home, soaking wet and PO'd

oh well. props to 'Nova - good team, horrendous stadium, poor fan support.

***
PS: tackling was atrocious

I understand that they like to substitute a lot, but in NO CIRCUMSTANCE could I understand WHY NICK SIGMON who is your best MLB was not on the field, during that last drive, I did not see him hurting in any way.

[jcmanson]

This feeling sucks

[forbidden]

This game I can't say was to be blamed on the refs AT ALL. I was sitting up top right beside the replay booth, where they stated that for the most part THEY determine not the refs, if a play is going to continue. The ref cannot continue play until they buzz down that everything is ok, if something needs to be reviewed, play will be stopped.

With that said, the Refs let them boys play, and they were not going to let you have any cheap PI calls, the fade to Petey in the 3rd, bottom line is Petey never turned around to look for the ball so not going to get that call. Then what has been hindering us at times that I haven't heard anyone mention was Petey and that TD drop in the endzone. DROPS, have plagued this team at many different times during the season, have to get that fixed. Hindsight is of course 20/20 but even more than the 3rd and 1 this game was LOST in the 1st qtr when LU did not punch and put these guys away early where is could have either been 21-0 or 17-0. 13-0 then watching them score, which you had to realize they would put them back in the game IMMEDIATELY.

Bad decision to run it out the end zone, ball knocked loose and in less than 3 min they are leading 14-13 and that thing called MOMENTUM was gone. We got abused up front on the OLINE, it didn't look to me like whenever we tried to pull backside G #63 we were always getting blown up in the backfield.

[forbidden]

OMG, we are supposed to be getting prepped for a more than likely HOME game vs SHSU, but instead THIS....UGH

NONETHELESS good season boys

[jcmanson]

Photo gallery
http://www.libertyflamesnation.com/phot ... -playoffs/

[jcmanson]

1 quarter from hosting a quarterfinal game...

[SuperJon]

Let's play a little Imagine if...

We won. We host SHSU.

Coastal goes to NDSU and wins.

We beat SHSU.

We would've had a game at Coastal for the rights to go to the national championship game.

That would've been incredible.

[JakeP50]

It's only been a day and already the what ifs are here. Yeah I thought about the possibility of playing Coastal for a trip to Frisco as soon as I saw the bracket and thinking about it now sucks.

[VarsityLu]

I know I am new to the forum, but I really don't understand everyone jumping all over TG for the 3rd & 1 play...as if that lost the game for Liberty. Here is how I see things:

1. Missed tackles hurt us bad. Real bad. You aren't going to win many games if you don't tackle.
2. The defense couldn't stop the run in the 4th quarter. You are not going to win many games if you can't stop the run. Period.
3. Points 1 & 2 contributed far more to the loss than the throw to Shells on 3rd down. If that play had been a completion or if there had been an interference call, most of you would be praising Gill for his creativity and vision.

The single best thing that I saw from this game was the mental focus and attitude that the team had from the very first play. They KNEW they could win and they showed it. They were not afraid because the other team was ranked higher or cower because it was their first trip to the playoffs. They had confidence, poise, and were able to execute. That attitude and focus is a direct result of coaching.

How many teams have you seen that were talented on paper but couldn't keep it together in the big game? I am an Ohio State fan and I lived through the John Cooper years. He had the best players in the country year in and year out, but he couldn't coach his kids up to win against Michigan or in a bowl. It wasn't a problem of talent. OSU had a coaching problem.

Gill may have called some questionale plays yesterday, but those mistakes (from your point of view) pale in comparison to the job he did getting those kids ready to play the way they did. I'll take a coach that can prepare his team to win the big one ANYDAY over a coach that calls the right plays for players that are not focused.

Proud to be an aLUmni! Can't wait for baseball season.

[sigmo7]

TOUCHDOWNS SCORED, OFFENSE=1 DEFENSE=1

[forbidden]

I know I am new to the forum, but I really don't understand everyone jumping all over TG for the 3rd & 1 play...as if that lost the game for Liberty. Here is how I see things:

1. Missed tackles hurt us bad. Real bad. You aren't going to win many games if you don't tackle.
2. The defense couldn't stop the run in the 4th quarter. You are not going to win many games if you can't stop the run. Period.
3. Points 1 & 2 contributed far more to the loss than the throw to Shells on 3rd down. If that play had been a completion or if there had been an interference call, most of you would be praising Gill for his creativity and vision.

The single best thing that I saw from this game was the mental focus and attitude that the team had from the very first play. They KNEW they could win and they showed it. They were not afraid because the other team was ranked higher or cower because it was their first trip to the playoffs. They had confidence, poise, and were able to execute. That attitude and focus is a direct result of coaching.

How many teams have you seen that were talented on paper but couldn't keep it together in the big game? I am an Ohio State fan and I lived through the John Cooper years. He had the best players in the country year in and year out, but he couldn't coach his kids up to win against Michigan or in a bowl. It wasn't a problem of talent. OSU had a coaching problem.

Gill may have called some questionale plays yesterday, but those mistakes (from your point of view) pale in comparison to the job he did getting those kids ready to play the way they did. I'll take a coach that can prepare his team to win the big one ANYDAY over a coach that calls the right plays for players that are not focused.

Proud to be an aLUmni! Can't wait for baseball season.

Agree HCTG is not calling plays, so really cant blame hi

Again, I wouldn't say it was the play call except for not knowing who your personnel is at the juncture of the game.

Petey cannot drop that pass in the endzone in the 4th qtr more points

again have to score TD's on the first qtr drives, the game is essentially over

[Purple Haize]

Let's play a little Imagine if...

We won. We host SHSU.

Coastal goes to NDSU and wins.

We beat SHSU.

We would've had a game at Coastal for the rights to go to the national championship game.

That would've been incredible.

Would have been a win win for you. You could go to the coastal board and celebrate with them.

Oh SnAp

[SuperJon]

TOUCHDOWNS SCORED, OFFENSE=1 DEFENSE=1

There ya go. 2 1st and goals at the 5. 6 points.

This is the biggest thing from yesterday.

[From the class of 09]

Agreed yesterday was on the offenses inability to maintain sustained drives. Yes the defense could've made a play here or there but they did enough to win. The offense needs to be able to sustain a drive and get in the endzone.

[Sly Fox]

Not to beat a dead horse, but the sloppy conditions led to both teams having offensive issues for much of the game. Nova simply made more plays than we did.

[bluejacket]

Agreed yesterday was on the offenses inability to maintain sustained drives. Yes the defense could've made a play here or there but they did enough to win. The offense needs to be able to sustain a drive and get in the endzone.

We were gassed, Sigmon was out on this drive, and Chima Uzowihe missed almost half of this drive, but the defense had multiple opportunities on this drive to make a play on this drive and didn't. The season is on the line. And for goodness' sake, force them to throw the ball once to win the game.

1-10 at Vu16 VILLANOVA drive start at 08:23.
1-10 at Vu16 Monangai, K. rush for 9 yards to the VU25, out-of-bounds.
2-1 at Vu25 Robertson, J. rush for 7 yards to the VU32, 1ST DOWN, out-of-bounds.
1-10 at Vu32 Monangai, K. rush for 6 yards to the VU38 (HAGEN, J.;O'GRADY, J.).
2-4 at Vu38 Monangai, K. rush for 7 yards to the VU45, 1ST DOWN (SCOTT, K.).
1-10 at Vu45 Medley, A. rush for 7 yards to the LIBERTY48, out-of-bounds (SCOTT,K.;SCOTT,W.).
2-3 at Liberty48 Medley, A. rush for 2 yards to the LIBERTY46 (SAMPSON, G.).
3-1 at Liberty46 Robertson, J. rush for 5 yards to the LIBERTY41, 1ST DOWN (HAGEN, J.).
1-10 at Liberty41 Monangai, K. rush for 6 yards to the LIBERTY35 (NEWMAN, N.;SCOTT, W.).
2-4 at Liberty35 Monangai, K. rush for 8 yards to the LIBERTY27, 1ST DOWN (SCOTT,K.).
1-10 at Liberty27 Robertson, J. rush for 3 yards to the LIBERTY24 (ROBBINS, D.).
2-7 at Liberty24 Medley, A. rush for 7 yards to the LIBERTY17, 1ST DOWN (O'GRADY, J.).
1-10 at Liberty17 Monangai, K. rush for 4 yards to the LIBERTY13 (HAGEN, J.).
2-6 at Liberty13 Timeout Liberty, clock 03:04.
2-6 at Liberty13 Robertson, J. rush for 4 yards to the LIBERTY9 (HAGEN, J.;GUILLORY, J.).
3-2 at Liberty09 Timeout Liberty, clock 02:57.
3-2 at Liberty09 Robertson, J. rush for 1 yard to the LIBERTY8 (GUILLORY, J.).
4-1 at Liberty08 Timeout Liberty, clock 02:42.
4-1 at Liberty08 Monangai, K. rush for 3 yards to the LIBERTY5, 1ST DOWN (ONYECHI, T.).
1-G at Liberty05 Monangai, K. rush for 3 yards to the LIBERTY2 (HAGEN, J.).
2-G at Liberty02 Monangai, K. rush for 1 yard to the LIBERTY1 (GREENE, J.).
3-G at Liberty01 Robertson, J. rush for 1 yard to the LIBERTY0, TOUCHDOWN, clock 01:12.
Gough, C. kick attempt good.

[forbidden]

I know he was out, but that's how they rotate, and i'm sure no one figured they would chew 7 of 8 min off the clock, but at some point ur best MLB needs to be back on the field, especially once you realize they were going to RUN RUN RUN, which is his strong point.

[ballcoach15]

Game was lost when we settled for Field Goals in first half.

Also offense seemed a little conservative. Very little running game.

[forbidden]

Game was lost when we settled for Field Goals in first half.

Also offense seemed a little conservative. Very little running game.

Agree 1000% 21-0 alot better than 13-0 which became 13-7 to 14-13 in one blink

[Chippy]

I know he was out, but that's how they rotate, and i'm sure no one figured they would chew 7 of 8 min off the clock, but at some point ur best MLB needs to be back on the field, especially once you realize they were going to RUN RUN RUN, which is his strong point.

Should have stacked the box with 8 guys. The LBs were always 5 yards off the line of scrimmage and not filling the gaps because of their blocking scheme.

[forbidden]

I know he was out, but that's how they rotate, and i'm sure no one figured they would chew 7 of 8 min off the clock, but at some point ur best MLB needs to be back on the field, especially once you realize they were going to RUN RUN RUN, which is his strong point.

Should have stacked the box with 8 guys. The LBs were always 5 yards off the line of scrimmage and not filling the gaps because of their blocking scheme.

You really could'nt stack the box based on some of the offensive formations that they were showing unless you were going to play straight up 0 coverage, and that could have been a disastrous thing, as our DB's seem to have struggled at finding the ball in the air on deep patterns, and what makes it so bad (imo) is that they were right there in coverage with the guy