A Sea Of Red

Here is Chris' take on the offensive line's performance at Toledo ... I'd love to hear madmat's thoughts as well.

The push

Several times Saturday, Liberty tailback Rashad Jennings seemed to be stuffed after a one- or two-yard gain, only to end up with five yards.

Credit that to the Flames' offensive line, which played to its potential against an FBS opponent. Jennings ran for 160 yards on 24 carries and scored two touchdowns, including one on a 63-yard run in the second quarter.

"If I was stood up after gaining two yards, three yards, they would drive and get us five," Jennings said. "We're a blue-collar team. That's how we need to play ball."

The line did a nice job of pass protecting, too. Quarterback Brock Smith was sacked only once.

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yes. A very underrated part of the game last night- in spite of my ranting.

much better this week

they should dominate in-conference

agreed shorty...these guys are very talented and should show well in the big south.

The O line is not the one I am worried about, it is the other side of the ball. They just don't seem to be getting it done this year, but then again, I don't know a whole lot about the 3-4. With the linebacking crew and the secondary being not much different from last year, this is the only place I can put my finger that would explain our poor overall defensive play. Coach seems to have confidence in Hicks still and says he is coachable, who knows?

hey wait, I thought Rashad could only rush for a lot of yards vs D2 foes. Where's paradox at?

Speaking of Rashad, everyone I've talked to said that once he got into the open field on Saturday on the big long run he took off like they've never seen him before. He basically out ran two FBS safeties. I've been told the entire stadium was amazed with how fast he was once he got past the first line.

JE said he took off "like a rocket"................priceless.

flameshaw wrote:The O line is not the one I am worried about, it is the other side of the ball. They just don't seem to be getting it done this year, but then again, I don't know a whole lot about the 3-4. With the linebacking crew and the secondary being not much different from last year, this is the only place I can put my finger that would explain our poor overall defensive play. Coach seems to have confidence in Hicks still and says he is coachable, who knows?

This proves where we are.

In a thread about the O-line we wind up bringing up the defense and Hicks.

Sly, I thought the O line was confident and in control of the LOS all night. Best game by far from the front as a whole vs best competition of the season. I thought our O line was getting a great push after getting hats on hats. We also run the outside zone very well, which requires speed and athleticism from our O linemen. I know when this is working, it is difficult to understand going to other attacks, but our diversity will be effective in the conference. We have proved that we can pass protect against anyone, push anyone vertically, and another facet, we are running screens better every week. We also have quality depth, as there is still competition occuring for starting spots and PT.

Another point to consider.....the calls on the road. W&M spot or lack there of, and the phantom illegal receiver downfield vs Toledo. Frozen film frame indicates that Sene only traveled 2 1/2 yards down field (you're allowed 3) after hurdling a defender on the ground, which calls back an advance that had us in field goal range. Referee involvement for whatever reason has kept us from being 5-1.

News from the practice field.....Rehab has Hursky sprinting full speed tonight.

Painful as the road has been to all of us, we now prepare for the conference, and I believe our guys are as resolved as ever. They are growing with each experience, good and bad. They are hungry, and in a business like foul mood toward their conference foes. Good!!!!!!!!!!!

Glad to hear your eye witness coach's perspective. I think most of us are jazzed that our O-line is arguably the strongest its been ever in the program's history.

As for the calls, I know you can't be surprised. Visiting teams always get hosed ... its in that legendary book of unwritten rules that we keep hearing about.

Sly Fox wrote:Visiting teams always get hosed ... its in that legendary book of unwritten rules that we keep hearing about.

Unless you're on the Duke men's basketball team. They always get the calls. And I'm a Duke fan.

El Scorcho wrote:

Sly Fox wrote:Visiting teams always get hosed ... its in that legendary book of unwritten rules that we keep hearing about.

Unless you're on the Duke men's basketball team. They always get the calls. And I'm a Duke fan.

...and Carolina.

More from Chris on the big guys up front ...

LU's highly touted line starts to open holes

By Chris Lang
Lynchburg News & Advance
October 17, 2007

Liberty running back Rashad Jennings knew it was all coming together two weeks ago at Toledo. The holes were so big up front that he'd often just fall forward, and the pile of bodies would carry him an extra couple of yards. The Flames powered down the field, 80 yards in nine plays for a touchdown on their first drive that muggy Saturday night, and the overpowering play of the offensive line was a big reason why.

"After that first drive, Rashad was saying to me, 'the offensive line, there's something up with them tonight,'" Liberty tailback Zach Terrell said. "They were moving them off the line five, 10 yards."

"I guess they felt like they had something to prove."

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