[Sly Fox]

Here is Chris' story that somehow hadn't been posted on here yet (unless I missed somethign which is very possible):

Rocco reconsidering who starts at quarterback

By Chris Lang
Lynchburg News & Advance
September 24, 2006

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Last Saturday at Towson, Liberty quarterback Brock Smith had Rashad Jennings open in the flat for a swing pass. But Smith's throw sailed over Jennings' head for an incompletion.
Liberty coach Danny Rocco wasn't going to go away from the play Saturday night at Savannah State. Jennings broke free and a defender was in Smith's face; thus is the nature of the swing pass. The quarterback has to be able to complete the pass under pressure.

Again, Smith's offering floated well past Jennings' hands for an incompletion. Add in several more overthrows, and Rocco had lost his patience with the sophomore quarterback, benching him for good at halftime in favor of Zach Terrell.

Smith was 5-for-13 for 57 yards; Terrell was 3-for-6 with 63 yards, including a 45-yard completion to Brandon Turner over the middle.

Is this a permanent move? Rocco said he'd evaluate film this weekend to see why Smith has struggled so much in completing even the most basic of passes this season and make a decision next week on who will start at Wake Forest next Saturday.

"We're going to have to really re-evaluate what we're doing and who we're doing it with," Rocco said.

Smith is eager to hit the film room, too. He said he thinks he may have some flaws in his delivery.

"I've got to break down my whole delivery," Smith said. "All my reads are there, I just wasn't hitting receivers. I might be dropping my elbow, or I might not be striding through the ball. I don't know. But I've got to figure it out, though."

Terrell said he was happy to give his teammates a spark in the second half (he led LU to two touchdowns), but added he was a little puzzled at Smith's struggles.

"It's a new thing to me," Terrell said. "Last year, he did what he needed to and looked good. In practice, he's looked good. I don't know what's going on. He can make the throws. I have the confidence in him and the coaches have all the confidence in him. I don't know what's happening."

Not bad, kid

With starting safety Pat Dickerson nursing a knee injury, freshman Chris Rocco (LCA) has seen extended playing time more quickly than he had imagined.

Saturday, he rewarded Danny Rocco's faith in him by making his first career interception. Chris Rocco and Pierre Penn (Heritage) split reps at safety, and Chris Rocco has been a mainstay in Liberty's nickel package.

Late in the first half against Savannah State, he picked off a pass from scrambling SSU quarterback Garrett Willis, giving the Flames the ball at their own 46 with a chance to put more points on the board going into halftime.

"It was a rollout pass and they were working three levels," Chris Rocco said. "The quarterback pretty much stared at the second guy the whole way and gave me an opportunity to break on the ball."

Surprise playmaker

Savannah State running back Chad Cone spelled starter Quinton Beasley early after a Beasley fumble inside his own 10 set up Liberty's first touchdown.

Cone, a 6-foot-3, 232-pound senior who had run for 54 yards on 19 carries in SSU's first two gains, had a 19-carry, 93-yard showing against Liberty.

"I think he's one of the best running backs we've seen this season," said Liberty linebacker Stevie Ray Lloyd, who had a game-high nine tackles. "He was running really hard."

Extra points

Former ESPN analyst Bob Stevens is in his first year as Savannah State's play-by-play radio voice. Stevens also works as an analyst for XM Radio's PGA Tour coverage. ? Liberty had two injuries of note: DE Steve Ackley hurt the same shoulder that bothered him all last season early in the game and didn't return. LT Stephen Sene hurt his right shoulder, but when asked how serious it was, he quipped "it just popped out of its socket, that's all. I'll be fine." ? Tight end Chris Luck, who caught 24 passes last season, nabbed his first reception of the year Saturday, hauling in an eight-yard pass in the first half.

http://www.newsadvance.com/servlet/Sate ... th=!sports

[PAmedic]

So great to hear the local DB's playing well- keeping local talent home on the mt!

Sorry to hear about the injuries, but ya gotta love those lineman/big uglies:

LT Stephen Sene hurt his right shoulder, but when asked how serious it was, he quipped "it just popped out of its socket, that's all. I'll be fine."

[A.G.]

So great to hear the local DB's playing well- keeping local talent home on the mt!

Local talent? What a concept.

[auntieann]

Although I think Zach is a awesome athlete, I think he is better used at other positions, I really think if Brock get's back into his groove we will see what he can really do.. I think we need him as QB, although it may not have shown last week, he is a great field General, he has the size and power to make this happen.. I think Rocco needs to put support solidly behind one man, how can anyone be the best they can be looking over their shoulder?????????

[Stevev]

There is no question of Brock's size and arm strength. At least I don't think Brock can be to blame for the loss at Towson at all and his performance has not cost us an embarrasing loss agains't some of the weak competition we have been facing. Try to look at the bright side of things and in the next few weeks we are all going to know where we stand on the QB issue that is facing us here.

[bigsmooth]

indeed just decide on one QB. im not goning to faor either one, but make the call and live with it.

[TallyW]

I'm in the 'Competition is good' camp.

Especially when Zach has a spot on the field either way, I'd suspect he'd be just as satisfied if Brock kept the job but our toughest part of the schedule is coming up so I can see why Rocco may not want anyone to feel like they have job if they're under performing.

I have no horse in the race either... I'm talking purely from a philosophy p.o.v.

[LUconn]

I said it before the season started and I'll say it again, I hate this situation. It's normally a coaching career killer at all levels of football if it doesn't work out because the decision you make will always be second guessed. Lucky for Rocco, it's his first year and can't possibly mess up his job.

[prototype]

Stick with Smith!! And then pick up Vic Hall next year and move Smith to Safety/Kicker:)

[Stevev]

Who is Vic Hall?

[prototype]

Vic Hall is a stud who played for Gretna. He is up at UVA, but Groh doesn't use him. He is small - like bearly 5'9" but the guy is electrifying. My hope is Groh continues to not play him and he looks to transfer. I believe Rocco recruited him. He's a quick guy with a great arm.

He would tear 1AA up!!!!

[Stevev]

Sounds promising for the future. Lets hope that we can pull him in. Thanks for the information.

[jcmanson]

Alot of the UVA fan base is upset with Coach Groh for moving him to the defensive backfield. When Vic signed with UVa, he did so under the assumption he would be playing qb. He redshirted last year, and this year hasn't been playing, but practices only with the defensive backs. I'm sure he is not very happy right now. That would be great to get him in here for next year. He would be a stud!

We should stay behind the guys we have this year, and not look forward to next year just yet. We should not settle for less than 7-4, anything better would be outstanding! In order to do that though, we must right the qb situation. I don't care who we choose, whatever the coach decides will be fine with me.

[Stevev]

You are right. We need to stay focused on this year since the team is heading in to the appointed time with some great competition coming our way like Wake, William and Mary, and Western Carolina. These will all be great tests for the program.

But this Vic Hall is someone to keep an eye on. Never underestimate the importance of a 1A transfere QB coming in with potential to lead this team to a higher level.

[RagingTireFire]

Never underestimate the importance of a 1A transfere QB coming in with potential to lead this team to a higher level.

[cough]...Paul Troth...[cough]

[Stevev]

Paul Troth Oh my God! I was thinking more along the lines of Andy Hall and Justin Rascati.

[Sly Fox]

Before anyone else throws Paul under the bus, I would remind you of the coaching staff and philosophy at the time.

[Rocketfan]

I am still throwing him under the bus, way to much HYPE.

[Sly Fox]

I can tell you the Texans were pleasantly surprised in Paul's abilities when they brought him in for a rookie mini-camp last year. Unfortunately they didn't have room on their practice squad.

[Rocketfan]

I can tell you the Texans were pleasantly surprised in Paul's abilities when they brought him in for a rookie mini-camp last year. Unfortunately they didn't have room on their practice squad.

Your statement just supports mine....no matter how impressed you are, if you can't make a practice squad than it might just be all fluff talk, or they are flat out just trying to make the kid feel good.

[Sly Fox]

Actually they already had four QBs under contract but they had brought him in so they'd have a QB to throw passes to the other rookies along with former Texas QB Chance Mock. I can tell you they were pleasantly surprised.

My point being that Paul's troubles may not have been all on him.

[Stevev]

Sly is right. Paul Troth came into a system that was designed for failure.

[Sly Fox]

Getting back on subject ...

LU Notebook: Rocco's mum on who will play quarterback

By Chris Lang
Lynchburg News & Advance
September 26, 2006

Taking a page from the Al Groh playbook, Liberty coach Danny Rocco said Tuesday he won't name a starting quarterback for Saturday's game at Wake Forest until later in the week.

He may not publicly announce one at all.

Groh essentially did the same thing in the week leading up to Virginia's game against Western Michigan.

Zach Terrell replaced fellow sophomore Brock Smith at halftime of Liberty's 28-0 win at Savannah State last Saturday.

Terrell led LU to two touchdowns and completed a 45-yard pass to Brandon Turner. In the first half, Smith struggled to complete simple passes and afterward questioned his mechanics.

Liberty quarterbacks coach Brandon Streeter saw some flaws in Smith's delivery when the two broke down film on Monday.

"A few times, he got lazy with his motion," Streeter said. "You tend to throw high if you drop your elbow. Because you release it a little bit lower, you're not going to be as accurate as you are when you're up high in your throwing motion. He hasn't been like that in the past. It was one of those games where he wasn't on target."

First-team reps in practice this week will be split 50-50 between the two quarterbacks, neither of whom has yet to throw a touchdown pass this season.

O-line inconsistency

Liberty had the ball 1st-and-goal at the Savannah State 1 in the second quarter Saturday but failed to score. The blame fell to an offensive line that hasn't matured as quickly as Rocco would like.

On first down, center Mike Godsil was flagged for a false start, pushing Liberty to the 6. SSU wrapped up Rashad Jennings in the backfield for a three-yard loss on the next play to force LU back to the 9.

Jennings then broke left for a 9-yard touchdown on the next play. But wait ? it was called back. Stephen Sene was penalized for holding. Eventually, Ben Beasley yanked a 25-yard field goal attempt wide left, giving Liberty nothing to show on the drive.

In the Sept. 9 game against Glenville State, a long pass play was negated when Sene was flagged as an ineligible receiver downfield, and other holding and procedural penalties have dogged the Flames' line.

"It's been different guys in different situations; it's never the same guy over and over," Rocco said. "It's different guys taking turns at making miscues. I can't put my finger on it in terms of exactly what it is. The O-line is not as mature as it needs to be."

Wake memories

Twenty-three years ago, Rocco was a defensive captain under Groh at Wake Forest. Thus, a lifelong professional relationship was born.

Rocco got his first assistant coaching job at Wake Forest in 1986 as Groh's defensive line coach and worked with Groh in the NFL with the New York Jets and at Virginia.

Rocco said he has great memories of his time in Winston-Salem, but those feelings will be put aside when the Flames and Demon Deacons meet Saturday.

"I was 25 years old and the youngest full-time coach in the Atlantic Coast Conference," Rocco said. "I've been back numerous times. I've been following them for a lot of years because I'm an alum. That is a program I'll continuously root for, but obviously not this Saturday."

Extra points

Big South quick hitters: VMI quarterback Jonathan Wilson separated a shoulder against William & Mary and will be out at least the next two weeks. Kyle Hughes will start in his place. Coastal Carolina defensive end Adrain Grady (torn knee ligament) is done for the season, but CCU coach Dave Bennett is optimistic Grady will be able to play in 2007 thanks to a medical hardship waiver. ? Liberty fullback Chris Stokes did not make the trip to Savannah after Rocco suspended him for one game for conduct detrimental to the team. Stokes has been reinstated and will play at Wake Forest. Sene, who injured his right shoulder at Savannah State, is expected to play Saturday, Rocco said. DE Steve Ackley (shoulder) and S Pat Dickerson (knee) are questionable and will be reevaluated later this week. LB Nick Hursky, who had his appendix removed Sunday night, will miss Saturday's game and is questionable for the Oct. 14 game vs. William & Mary. If Ackley can't go, Tyler Turner will start in his place. Ian Childress and Derek Lisko will split time at Hursky's outside LB spot.

http://www.newsadvance.com/servlet/Sate ... th=!sports

[Libertine]

LB Nick Hursky, who had his appendix removed Sunday night, will miss Saturday's game and is questionable for the Oct. 14 game vs. William & Mary

Hursky had 4 tackles vs. SSU. Maybe western Pennsylvania guys really are that tough.

[LU'sbestmanager]

didn't he get it removed sunday night?