[From the class of 09]

So obviously last night was disappointing. Every unit had opportunities to win it last night and didn't. The penalties and special teams were where I was disappointed. That all said we can still be successful this year. While this defenitly wasn't a step in the right direction we still have a lot of football left to play.

Also I thought JMU was picked to finish 2nd in the CAA? Is this true or am I imagining things?

[phoenix]

I'll admit I haven't been following the Flames that closely, so I don't know how often your team commits penaties or makes the the mistakes we saw against JMU and NCSU.

In your Big South games, 15 yard penalties and fumbles aren't killers because you can make that 2nd and 22 with ease...and if you don't, well, there's always that next possession, which you don't have to wait long for.

So, if your team is accustomed to a certain amount of wiggle room with errors and penalties, it may be difficult to adjust when facing a more talented team that actually makes you pay for your mistakes. You can't just flip a switch and be more disciplined for one game.

Anyway, just wondering if perhaps bad habits picked up playing weaker competition is what's making it so hard to get over that hump.

this is a da#$ good post

We are the smart kid who takes a bunch of general-ed classes in high school. He gets used to having a half-hour of homework a night, not having to study for tests, and pulling his A. Then his senior year, he tries to take AP Chemistry and AP History and they kick his butt. NOT because he's stupid, but because he isn't used to having to do that much work and study that hard.

This team is not used to a tough schedule. We're a few years off still, I'm afraid, from being able to compete on a higher level. If there's a positive that I take away from yesterday's game, it's that as bad as we played, we were in the game until the last minute. We were in the NC State game until the end. We should have been blown out of both games, but we weren't. We're close, but we have to work harder.

[Stevev]

I just got back from Lynchburg and I was there at the game traveling from Delaware. There were a lot of positives about the whole experience there but very disappointed about the end result of the game and was certain that we could pull it out and it seemed that the conditions were right for us to take that next step and very disappointed that we didn't make the plays down the stretch to take it. We competed very well and I thought that we matched up well talent wise despite what others have stated but we folded down the stretch but that is typical of what we do against good competition. We knock off the bad teams but very rarely make the plays to pull out the close games against teams from power conferences. We can change all of that with a win vs Lehigh next week.

Other than the game I was able to go around and check out all of the changes on campus and was very impressed with what I saw esp the improvements to the athletic facilities including the football stadium. All I kept saying is "Wow" and "why are we wasting time in the Big South" with these excellent facilities. The facilities were great to say the least and will get better in the future. I was also impressed with what they did over at the former GE/Erickson building. I did chit chat with someone (I think that it was LCA Mom) at the Flamesclub tent and have a nice time doing that and taking in the game day experience but disappointed in the end result.

[JMUDukeDawg]

Great game guys.

First, I would've lost a LOT of money on the under if I were a betting man...who knew the offenses (or lack of defenses) would've been the story. I figured if there was a lot of offense, it would've been Liberty blowing the doors off of us.

Second, I know it's easier to say on the other side and I'm not a Liberty fan, but you guys shouldn't take this loss so hard. Unfortunately, you were set up to have a disappointment. Based on how JMU played against CCSU and how your offense had performed, most people thought we'd lose. It took a miraculous reversion from our offense to pull this off...and just barely.

Finally, I don't think you have much to worry about regarding the playoffs. Judging from the rest of the Big South, you all should breeze through. Brown might be the best QB we see all year (with the exception of UNC) and if he keeps it up you'll be fine. I just hope it's well down the line before we meet up again.

[No Fear]

Not happy about losing to JMU again, and supposedly with our best team ever?
Blocked field goals? punching a player in head on the sidelines? field goal kicker trying to kick with a bad leg? kick off returns to the 45 (why don't we just kick it out of bounds if we can't cover...)arm tackle after missed arm tackle... the defensive line getting blown out... (where was the D that played NC State? ) did we not know JMU is a RUNINING team? even I expected them to pound the line. (which they did) you can't give a team 5 or 6 yards on every first down. Were we not playing RUN on first downs?
And we should just add another Tightend if Mike is going to run it every play, but then the Oline didn't realy open any holes all game, so it doesn't matter.
Penalty after penalty - just Sloppy.
If JMU can score almost 30 points on us, I am afaraid this is going to be a long year.
Only plus was the fans - awesome support.
Congrats JMU.

[jimflamesfan]

I'll admit I haven't been following the Flames that closely, so I don't know how often your team commits penaties or makes the the mistakes we saw against JMU and NCSU.

In your Big South games, 15 yard penalties and fumbles aren't killers because you can make that 2nd and 22 with ease...and if you don't, well, there's always that next possession, which you don't have to wait long for.

So, if your team is accustomed to a certain amount of wiggle room with errors and penalties, it may be difficult to adjust when facing a more talented team that actually makes you pay for your mistakes. You can't just flip a switch and be more disciplined for one game.

Anyway, just wondering if perhaps bad habits picked up playing weaker competition is what's making it so hard to get over that hump.

Like others have said...that is a great post.

That being said, LU hasn't even won the Big South outright since it mattered (since the autobid).

So the goal for the rest of this year has to be to win the Big South outright and make it to the playoffs...

That's the next step for us...we can still accomplish that this year!

[R i]

putting this game into perspective is very difficult.

[Rooster Cogburn]

I'll admit I haven't been following the Flames that closely, so I don't know how often your team commits penaties or makes the the mistakes we saw against JMU and NCSU.

In your Big South games, 15 yard penalties and fumbles aren't killers because you can make that 2nd and 22 with ease...and if you don't, well, there's always that next possession, which you don't have to wait long for.

So, if your team is accustomed to a certain amount of wiggle room with errors and penalties, it may be difficult to adjust when facing a more talented team that actually makes you pay for your mistakes. You can't just flip a switch and be more disciplined for one game.

Anyway, just wondering if perhaps bad habits picked up playing weaker competition is what's making it so hard to get over that hump.

Like others have said...that is a great post.


That being said, LU hasn't even won the Big South outright since it mattered (since the autobid).

So the goal for the rest of this year has to be to win the Big South outright and make it to the playoffs...

That's the next step for us...we can still accomplish that this year!

UM, wasn't last year the first year of the autobid? I really believe this game was a fluke and that this team will rise and win the big south. It will show a lot to see how they rise up against an extremely goos LeHigh team.

[LCA&LU Mom]

I really believe this game was a fluke and that this team will rise and win the big south. It will show a lot to see how they rise up against an extremely goos LeHigh team.

So was the JMU game our "WTF?" of the year or are we still due to have one?

And in re: to the astonishing display of stupidity from #66 - not sure what ppl saw but I saw him shove the other guy's upper body. I didn't see him "punch him in the head". Splitting hairs, either way it was still a really dumb thing to do. He should be glad I'm not his momma or I'd twist his ear right off his head.

On to Lehigh - Go Flames!

[JMUDukeDawg]

I really believe this game was a fluke and that this team will rise and win the big south. It will show a lot to see how they rise up against an extremely goos LeHigh team.

So was the JMU game our "WTF?" of the year or are we still due to have one?

And in re: to the astonishing display of stupidity from #66 - not sure what ppl saw but I saw him shove the other guy's upper body. I didn't see him "punch him in the head". Splitting hairs, either way it was still a really dumb thing to do. He should be glad I'm not his momma or I'd twist his ear right off his head.

On to Lehigh - Go Flames!

On the replay on TV he pushed him in the head. But I wouldn't have called it a punch.

[TDDance234]

I really believe this game was a fluke and that this team will rise and win the big south. It will show a lot to see how they rise up against an extremely goos LeHigh team.

So was the JMU game our "WTF?" of the year or are we still due to have one?

And in re: to the astonishing display of stupidity from #66 - not sure what ppl saw but I saw him shove the other guy's upper body. I didn't see him "punch him in the head". Splitting hairs, either way it was still a really dumb thing to do. He should be glad I'm not his momma or I'd twist his ear right off his head.

On to Lehigh - Go Flames!

That certainly wasn't a "WTF?" type game. See Presbyterian, 2008.

[ToTheLeft]

So, it's a fluke to lose to the same team in 3 times in a row?

Hilarious.

[SumItUp]

So, it's a fluke to lose to the same team in 3 times in a row?

Hilarious.

Easy Lefty! You're getting too worked up for a game that you expected to lose.

To be perfectly honest, I am expecting 1-3. I won't be one of the ones blowing up. We face good teams to start the season. Lehigh is GOOD, JMU is GOOD, RMU is okay and knows how to beat us, and NCSU is GOOD.

[R i]

So, it's a fluke to lose to the same team in 3 times in a row?

Hilarious.

How long have you followed LU football?

[JK37]

So, it's a fluke to lose to the same team in 3 times in a row?

Hilarious.

Easy Lefty! You're getting too worked up for a game that you expected to lose.

To be perfectly honest, I am expecting 1-3. I won't be one of the ones blowing up. We face good teams to start the season. Lehigh is GOOD, JMU is GOOD, RMU is okay and knows how to beat us, and NCSU is GOOD.

Well done, Sum!

[Rooster Cogburn]

I'm just relieved to find out that I am funny. Most people think my wit is pretty dry. Look, this loss made me sick but I firmly believe this was a blip and this is still a great team that could win out.

[Rooster Cogburn]

Even Haley still believes: http://www.sportsnetwork.com/fcs/FCS_Bracket.pdf

[jbock13]

I really don't doubt TTL and I (who are among the skeptics) that we will not win the Big South. The league is ours to lose this year.

But then again, that's been the case before... but I'm hopeful this will be the year. Just like I was hopeful this would be the year we beat JMU.

[flamesfan30]

anyone who has us as an away game in the first round really has no idea just how much money we have and are willing to throw around.

[ToTheLeft]

Seriously. How can it be a fluke? We do this every year. It has nothing to do with my expectations. Rocco doesn't beat good teams, I know he COULD but he DOESN'T. It's not a fluke. It's a pattern.

And I'm not sure where I said we won't win the Big South. I predicted us to win the Big South. We're going to make the playoffs, and if we don't, it will be beyond unacceptable.

[R i]

Seriously. How can it be a fluke? We do this every year. It has nothing to do with my expectations. Rocco doesn't beat good teams, I know he COULD but he DOESN'T. It's not a fluke. It's a pattern.

And I'm not sure where I said we won't win the Big South. I predicted us to win the Big South. We're going to make the playoffs, and if we don't, it will be beyond unacceptable.

how long have you been following LU football?

[BiggAl57]

is it me and my old age or ar they not announcing who made the tackles at the games?? is saw in the press release that that Nick S had eight tackles and Mike C had 7 but i could sear that i did not hear their names saturday night

[jimflamesfan]

I really don't think you can put this loss on Rocco. We have a kicker that made 16 straight miss 2 fieldgoals in the first half. They weren't super-long, either. Not that it was entirely his fault, either, being injured...it's just one of those that's life things.

Also, there seemed to be a couple of plays where the people were in the right place, they just didn't make the play. Like the first possesion for JMU. It was 3rd and about 8...and they throw a pass a little short, and their receiver adjusts better than our corner, who could've had a pick the way the ball was thrown.

I can't believe LU didn't recover that fumble around the 5 yard line...and then there was that pitch on 3rd down in the fourth quarter that Thorpe just got off...one fraction of a second later and it would have been disaster.

As far as Rocco being able to win the big game...I believe the last game against Elon was a big game, and LU won it. I believe the Ball State and Youngstown State, and even Western Carolina were also good wins that LU wouldn't have gotten in the past.

I know LU has struggled with the CAA teams...but we had two close losses to JMU, two closes losses to W&M. We also had a close loss to Toledo from the MAC.

7 years ago, we would lose those games by 50. I think the post by the JMU fan about us being used to an easier schedule has more to do with the tough losses than the coaching. If we were in the SoCon, I think we'd still be somewhere around 2nd or 3rd place in that conference...and yet, we'd be a better team because we'd be tested each week, and we might recruit a little better. But Rocco can't change that...we're at where we're at. Coastal wanted to be in the SoCon. West VA may want to leave the Big East. Appy might want to leave the Socon. JMU wants to join Conf USA...but you are where you are...the coaches can't change conferences. And you have to work within the conference that you're in. At least the Big South has an auto-bid now. Three years ago, we could have won out and still not made the playoffs...it was out of our hands. Now we control our own destiny.

I'm not giving up on this year...hoping for the upset at Lehigh!

[rogers3]

Thought you guys might enjoy JMU's photo album of the game.

I love that one of the red thundersticks and the american flag.

https://www.nmnathletics.com/PhotoAlbum ... BID=417888

Thanks for the photos Dukie- the flag photo is good. Having followed the on again off again competition with JMU, I'll be sad when it ends again. I really think that JMU, ODU, and LU are really the only teams in the state that might face one another at a higher level someday soon. In regards to the penalties, they seemed to be more common under our last two coaches than under Rocco. This past game was out of the ordinary, I believe.
There is a good deal of complaining by us here, but we shouldn't be surprised. JMU has been playing this type of game week in and week out- while we generally get a couple at the beginning of the season. It takes a certain level of mental toughness to compete at the CAA level, and I have no doubt that LU can do it, but it will take some time. I'll be following ODU to see how they adjust; until now, they have been playing a Big South-sub Big South schedule and they are looking good. Once they enter the meat grinder, it will be interesting to see how they respond.

[LUconn]

I haven't read through this whole thread, but what was the deal with that final kick off? We tie up the score and we chip it to their 40? I thought they would beat us in a goofy college OT scenario, but when you're at home, you gotta go for the tie vs a 30 yard onside kick. That plus that final pass gave them the win. It was a really bad idea. Although to be honest our kick coverage was pretty poor all game but still, you can't just give it to them at the 40 for the slim chance one of their up returners would fumble it.