[Sly Fox]

It wasn't the blowout many thought it would be. But we are back int he win column and the conference win streak improves to 10 games.

Bring your discussion here.

[olldflame]

26 by VMI is actually not a bad defensive effort. They are averaging over 30 a game.

[Sly Fox]

Coach Rocco Postgame Comments:


On challenge VMI presented -
"Coach Woods does a great job with this program and these kids are fighters. Though I would've liked to play a cleaner game, I have to be honest that this is about they way I expected to go. "

On Rashad and Offense -
"He's unique. The first play he came out and fumbled the football. He got it going a little later than we expected. But Scott (Wachenheim) made some changes and we got rolling."

On Defensive Effort vs. VMI Option -
"Its hard to hold these guys off the scoreboard off the length of a 60-minute football game. For the most part we forced them to execute. I'm real proud of Coach Clark and the defensive staff."

On Facing G-W next week for Big South title -
"That's what it was last year. We go in with the same mindframe. Back-to-back Big South championships was our first and primary goal for this team. Gardner-Webb is the second hottest team in the league right now. Hopefully we can have a great crowd at home for this ballgame."

[Sly Fox]

Flames Post 425 Yards of Total Offense

Brock Smith:
13-of-18 236 Yards and 2 TDs

Rashad Jennings:
24 carries for 147 Yards and 2 TDs
New Big South All-Time Leading Rusher

372 Yards of Rushing for VMI

VMI fumbled 6 times and lost 2

[bigsmooth]

just got home from the game. I always enjoy gameday in lexington. defensively i just felt me had a hard time stopping them on 3rd down. the special teams gave up some long returns as well. i would have run rashad more, but all in all a good effort and we are back in the win column and gardner-webb is next which will be tough. also good to see all the LUnatics, HMO, cider jim, and manson.

[Kolzilla41]

I was there with my Dad and it was a good game. I am impressed by how VMI fans stay in the game. Very good effort by both sides of the ball and congrats to Rashad.

[SuperJon]

VMI is my favorite place to go for a game, whether it be basketball or football. I love it there.

[Cider Jim]

Couldn't agree more, Super: I love the games in Lexington, especially on a day like today when I drove over with the top down on my Jeep. Had lunch under the big Flames tent, and saw Kyle Kallander, Smoothy, Bryson, & JDUB at the game. Loved seeing the Stealth Bomber do a fly over and seeing the drill team at halftime.

I wonder if JB could convince the LU ROTC team to do pushups like the VMI rats do? That's a pretty cool tradition.

By the way, MASN is showing a Big South matchup, and Coastal is beating G-W in the 4th quarter, 20-18 with 6 minutes left.

[Sly Fox]

The Chants pick up the very rare Big South victory which assures us of remaining league champs for the second straight year.

[LCA&LU Mom Original]

VMI is my favorite place to go for a game, whether it be basketball or football. I love it there.

first time there today, but i have to agree, awesome atmosphere. absolutely Perfect day for a Flames win
tailgating with good friends. the bomber flyover. the rats pushups. the cadets marching in. the rifle display. the cannon firing. Coach Wach (i think) punching the whiteboard. Big South champs. sweet. it just doesn't get much better!

[Sly Fox]

The VMI SIDs have their wrapup posted ...

Liberty Tops Keydets, 38-26, To Remain Unbeaten In BSC

Courtesy: VMIKeydets.com
Release: 11/08/2008



LEXINGTON, Va. – Liberty held off a second half VMI rally to post a 38-26 victory over VMI Saturday before a crowd of 6,813 on Military Appreciation Day in Lexington.



VMI outgained the Flames, 435-425, but was hampered by inopportune penalties, fumbles (5), and also squandered two red-zone scoring chances.



Liberty remained unbeaten in the Big South, going 4-0 in the league and 8-2 overall. With Gardner-Webb’s loss to Coastal Carolina Saturday, the Flames captured their second straight Big South football crown.



VMI dropped its third straight game and fell to 3-6, and 1-3 in the Big South.

Click Here for Full Story

[Sly Fox]

And now our SIDs have theirs up as well ...

Victory over Keydets Gives LU League Title

November 8, 2008
Lexington, Va.



» Box Score
» Photo Gallery

No. 25 Liberty overcame a slow start on the afternoon to not only claim a 38-26 victory over Blue Ridge Mountain rival VMI, but its second straight Big South Conference title. With the victory at Foster Stadium, the Flames clinch the regular season title with one conference game remaining on their 2008 Big South slate.

The win, Liberty’s 10th straight against Big South foes to extend its league record winning streak, gives the Flames a two-game cushion with one game Big South game remaining on the year for each conference opponent.

Click Here for Full Story

[Obiwan]

I was at the game, and listening to the VMI FM broadcast. Those announcers were really great. So many positive comments about about our guys. So much better to listen to than those "laugher" braodcasters at Presby last week.

[Mo]

Wanted to stop by with congratulations. LU has a fine team--strong and skilled.

Hope you can make the playoffs and prove your worth there, too.

Good luck!

[Cider Jim]

From my spot on the vistor's 40 yard line, I couldn't see or hear any of our LUantics standing and chanting. Where were you guys? I didn't even hear any of your "Move Those Chains" chant.

[Sly Fox]

Thanks for the sentiments, Mo.

Here is a wrapup from the Richmond fishwrap ...

Flames avoid upset; VMI's rally fizzles
Jennings, Liberty win second straight Big South crown

Sunday, Nov 09, 2008 - 12:07 AM

By TIM PEARRELL
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

LEXINGTON - Virginia Military Institute had cut Liberty's once-comfortable lead to two points midway through the third quarter.

The cannon boomed in the end zone, and the cadets ran down to the track surrounding the field and starting doing pushups. The momentum shift was clear, the upset that would make VMI's season and break Liberty's now a possibility.

Flames running back Rashad Jennings turned to his linemen on the sideline and asked them, "Can you end the game or not?"

Click Here for Full Story

[Sly Fox]

And Chris weighs in ...

LU defeats VMI with Jennings rumbling through the Keydets’ defense

By Chris Lang
Sports writer
Published: November 9, 2008


CHET WHITE/THE NEWS & ADVANCE

LEXINGTON — Liberty’s defense was predictably gassed. VMI had spent much of the first half and the early part of the third quarter Saturday at Foster Stadium running all over the Flames. A pitch here for a big gain. A burst up the middle there for a first down. The Keydets had cut an 18-point deficit to two, and the Flames knew they needed to do one thing: Get the big boy the football.

There are certain moments in which Flames coach Danny Rocco narrows the playbook and has Rashad Jennings run the power play up the gut. Repeatedly. The last thing Liberty needed was a quick strike. Sure, the points would have been nice, but the defense needed a rest. Three straight handoffs established the tone. Jennings went for eight, eight and six yards, jumpstarting the grind-it-out drive that would keep the Flames in the lead.

Click Here for Full Story

[JDUB]

1. that was my first time to lexington and it was awesome. we walked around campus and went through the museum and that was cool. they also have some neat shops and stuff downtown. i wish lynchburg would fix up our downtown better and make it more like lexington.
2. the stealth flyover was SWEET. those things amaze me
3. the drive there wasn't as bad as people hyped it to be
4. i wasn't impressed with our D, but they were adequate
5. rasberry did much better. its about time he showed up

[rogers3]

First away game that I've been to... for any LU team... since going to a BB game at UVa (the won the guys won, maybe putting some nails in Jeff Jones coffin). If they were all like that I'd probably be getting to more.
I thought the VMI def., though undersized, played us well, particularly in the 2nd and 3rd Q. IK was surprised that they continually tried the middle when we could seem to contain a run to the outside. They fumbled a good bit on the exchange at the line, but as close as some of those pitches were, I'm surprised we didn't pick one of them. Their backs are fast. It was odd that they took out Maypray; they seemed to move the ball with him and the new QB didn't seem to provide the speed that Maypray did- but he didn't fumble and passed a couple of times. I wasn't confident of the outcome unitl the last 2 minutes and that make me wonder how we'll fare against a GW team that has more balance in it's offense.
I got to watch part of the game from a porch overlooking the stadium with a bunch of VMI grads- nice group of guys. Also spent the 10 at the Flames Club tent for lunch. Couldn't have asked for a more pleasant or convenient venue.

[Sly Fox]

Knucklevision Highlights

[JDUB]

didn't maypray get injured? i'm pretty sure i saw him limping off the field

[jcmanson]

He did get injured, but he came back in after that. I'm not sure if his injury limited him though from there on out.