[TH Spangler]

I believe I was chided for citing turnovers as the key to this game. Sometimes I wish I was wrong.

For the shots at Josh, he wasn't the one dropping all those balls.

Turner had a solid game plan. A couple of dropped passes and a couple of fumbles did us in. We shut down Ryan Switzer, very impressive. I'm very optimistic about the season, after all UNC is ranked in the top 25.

[Chris Lang]

Peterson didn't play again after getting hurt on the play he fumbled. When he came off the field, his left arm was hanging almost limp. Might be a stinger. Might have hurt his shoulder. We won't know more until Tuesday.

[flamehunter]

Win or lose, THAT was entertaining. Really saw a lot of talent for us, a lot of young talent. Gary Sampson, Todd Macon, Avery James, and alpha jallah (sp?).

Third quarter was a huge disappointment but the reasons for our failure there were obvious:

Special teams play was poor and not due to coaching. We have, to put it sensitively, a very raw and undeveloped punter. Gave great field position to UNC consistently. So by default any turnovers or changes of possession took place deep in our territory. Woodrum did the best he could with what he was given. I place a lot of blame on Zac Parker's ill advised return after unc's first touchdown in the third. Was undisciplined and immature. Blatantly ignored Gabe telling him to kneel. Tried to make some wild run out of end zone with busted protection and was tackled out at the 10. Woodrum came in tried to force it and was intercepted, bringing us to td #2 in the third for UNC. All downhill after that and the same crappy field position. Tried to force plays that weren't there. Was all downhill from there. We can't let something like that poor decision by a freshman derail us but it did.

Need a punter. Also need a pair of receivers, not sure what happened to peterson. Fundamentals of ball protection are not understood by many on this team. Woodrum needed some weapons but had very few. Consistency is pretty much just Hagen and woodrum (or at least they were the most visible examples of dependability). Everyone else was too nervous I think.

Scattered thoughts I know, but I believe there was a way we could have won that game. With all these issues, I still believe we can look forward to a playoff season. So much talent on this team.

Ps Have always thought Abnar should be the starter. Even last season.

Turner averaged over 41 yards. He had two inside the 20. I think he did pretty well considering the guy he was kickin to. Certainly not a performance worthy of getting himself benched.

[jinxy]

Comp disagree on the punter. I thought he did an excellet job despite our offenses poor effort to move the ball. Shells had another critical 3rd down drop that was a drive killer. I think its time to give fritts a shot. Petey will be fine if healthy. He obviously let them down tonight but if healthy he isnt a question mark. Now kicker were a mess. We need a focused john lunsford badly.

[mlschubert]

3 Min & 49 seconds in the 3rd aside .. that was a gutsy performance with many positives. Our offensive line looked really good. We minimized negative plays in the backfield and were able to run the ball. Our young DB's held up extremely well in coverage. We were clearly prepared and executed at a high level for much of the game.

[Equinox]

I’ll just stick to the positives:
• Offensive line overall played exceptional in the run and pass game.
• DJ Abnar proved to be durable in between the tackles, and most likely will grow to be the emotional leader the offense.
• Coach Stamn dialed up a good game…however key people literally dropped the ball.
• Defense was adequate against a very high powered UNC offense. I believe the secondary play will be the strength of the defense as the season continues.
• Hopefully Gill and Stamn will create a “package” to get backup QB Stepon Masha more experience in real game situations…that kid with Abnar would be scary.
Some people are moaning about the lost, but remember that Liberty is a school that NEVER in its existence of the FCS, made it to the playoffs and was able for several quarters hold their own with an explosive #23 ranked FBS team that blew of Cincinnati in a bowl game last year. Gill and the coaching staff were prepared, however it was the actions of certain players that cost the team the win.

[forbidden]

First, I will only apologize for not proofing what I tried to text. I know what I typed but these crazy phones feel otherwise. Enuf on that for the profs on here.

Bottom line we need more explosive wrs, relying way to much on petey to make a play. Someone else has to step up now. As I said earlier to many crucial drops at wrong times. What makes it really bad is that Petey with only 4 catches still had 96 yes and if he would hv held on to ball God knows what he could hv put up last night.
Shells, to many drops, notable to break away from defenders. Gave solid possession wr, may be better off with gave outside and either kelly, Parker, or mayo in the slot. Not sure why fritts can't crack any on field time. Hv to hv another play to te besides the pop pass
Petey was only dislocated shoulder but popped back in place should be fine.

Sigmo is a man, when he hits you its snot bubbles and fumbles.
Samson played really we'll considering. Barely any practice time. Hagen is def a hitter. The secondary played ok, imo can cleanup the bailing out too fast, gave. up lots of dink and dunk plays.

[SuperJon]

I'm actually okay with the score. It was expected. The drops, interceptions, and fumbles were much more concerning.

[olldflame]

Writing off the season based on this game is silly, and I would say the same if the final score had been worse. The reality is, only a garbage time touchdown by UNC made the margin larger than the Heels last game, a 39-17 bowl win over Cincy., and without a huge case of the dropsies on our part it would have been much closer. A far cry from the embarrassment ODU suffered having their game with the Heels last year cut short due to non-competitiveness with the score 80-20.

Peterson had a bad game, but he is still our best receiver and a potential FCS All-American. Hopefully his shoulder is not too bad. Shells is the one with an ongoing history of drops, and it may be time to give someone else some snaps on that side. Fritts not getting PT after winning the most improved offensive player award in the Spring is puzzling to me as well.

I agree about Masha BYD. I don't know about a Mike Brown package, but I think our HC may have an old playbook somewhere with a Turner Gill or Tommie Frazier package we could use.

[BJWilliams]

I would try a four wide with Peterson and Glover on one side and Fritts and Henderson on the other (as long as Petey's shoulder isn't too terrible). I agree petey is our best WR, but I think getting another playmaker or two on the other side will open things up on his side (as long as he secures the ball)

[Purple Haize]

Writing off the season based on this game is silly, and I would say the same if the final score had been worse. The reality is, only a garbage time touchdown by UNC made the margin larger than the Heels last game, a 39-17 bowl win over Cincy., and without a huge case of the dropsies on our part it would have been much closer. A far cry from the embarrassment ODU suffered having their game with the Heels last year cut short due to non-competitiveness with the score 80-20.

Peterson had a bad game, but he is still our best receiver and a potential FCS All-American. Hopefully his shoulder is not too bad. Shells is the one with an ongoing history of drops, and it may be time to give someone else some snaps on that side. Fritts not getting PT after winning the most improved offensive player award in the Spring is puzzling to me as well.

I agree about Masha BYD. I don't know about a Mike Brown package, but I think our HC may have an old playbook somewhere with a Turner Gill or Tommie Frazier package we could use.

Was anyone writing off the season because of this game

[olldflame]

Writing off the season based on this game is silly, and I would say the same if the final score had been worse. The reality is, only a garbage time touchdown by UNC made the margin larger than the Heels last game, a 39-17 bowl win over Cincy., and without a huge case of the dropsies on our part it would have been much closer. A far cry from the embarrassment ODU suffered having their game with the Heels last year cut short due to non-competitiveness with the score 80-20.

Peterson had a bad game, but he is still our best receiver and a potential FCS All-American. Hopefully his shoulder is not too bad. Shells is the one with an ongoing history of drops, and it may be time to give someone else some snaps on that side. Fritts not getting PT after winning the most improved offensive player award in the Spring is puzzling to me as well.

I agree about Masha BYD. I don't know about a Mike Brown package, but I think our HC may have an old playbook somewhere with a Turner Gill or Tommie Frazier package we could use.

Was anyone writing off the season because of this game

I'm not going to say WHO, but SOMEONE in this thread POSTED "I see this team not making the playoffs again". Since making the playoffs is clearly what this season is all about, what would you call it?

[olldflame]

For comparison purposes, here are some other FBS vs FCS results from this weekend.

Akron 41
Howard 0

Northern IL 55
Presby 3

MI ST 45
Jacksonville ST 7

Pitt 62
Delaware 0

MD 52
JMU 7

VT 34
W and M 9

Duke 55
Elon 13

Memphis 63
Austin Peay 0

KSU 55
SF Austin 16

Yes, there were a few closer ones, and Bethune Cookman actually beat FIU 14-12 , but the bottom line is results in these matchups are usually ugly.

[thepostman]

I said that because of the unforced mistakes made in that 3rd quarter. Not because we lost. We play like that against coastal and we lose. Simple as that.

[SuperJon]

People who are worried about this year watched the game, not the final score.

[thepostman]

Exactly. Of course my cynicism in this program plays a roll in it too but my opinion has zero to do with the final score.

[jcmanson]

Quick-hit notes http://www.libertyflamesnation.com/quic ... -unc-loss/

[Purple Haize]

People who are worried about this year watched the game, not the final score.

I watched the game. I'm worried about the easy drops. If those continue, it will effect the QB confidence and team timing.
The play calls are taking too long to get to the QB. This is going to cost us a TO when we really need one in a close game.
I think we played with a lot of confidence and comfort. We maybe got to comfortable in the 3rd which led to the TO's
As one who is not usually so, I'm cautiously optimistic

[flamehunter]

I was encouraged by the play in the trenches. That is often where you see a huge difference between FBS and FCS teams. We play that well against FCS teams and we control the line of scrimmage which leads to wins. Correct the TO problems and we should be pretty good, possibly really good.

[BJWilliams]

I liked the O line play as well. we only allowed 1 sack and had a total of 9 negative yards on the day, which tells me that our guys were dominating the line of scrimmage for the most part. the best defense we play on the FCS level the rest of the way will probably be Coastal

[jimflamesfan]

The third quarter was hard to watch. BUT, I'd rather have the total breakdown occur yesterday when the loss doesn't matter.

I think with the Kent State and Wake Forest games...LU played a little over their heads and then didn't totally focus in the next game that mattered.

Better to get the mistakes out of our system now and be prepared for Norfolk State...

I actually thought Woodrum had a really good first half. The second half he seemed a little tenative, I wonder how much of ths was due to Peterson being out of the game. And there was one Third and two when he rolled out and could have easily ran for the first down...but he tries to get a little more and floats a pass towards the sideline that is dropped...but still, Woodrum has to know the situation and tuck it and get the first down.

I think Woodrum will be fine, though. Hopefully Peterson is ok. The kicker made all three extra points. When Lunsford comes back, how about we do what the Minnesota Vickings did about ten years ago.. They had Gary Anderson kick the short ones and some other kicker kick the long ones.

So for LU, Let the freshman kick it from 37 yards and in (red zone)...he seems to have accuracy, and let Lunsford handle 38 yard plus and kickoffs. (Last year he seemed to have distance more than accuracy.)

[PAmedic]

finally got to watch the game on the ESPN replay app

didnt get to read everybody's thoughts yet...

Positives

Defense: Chima, Sigmon, DB's as a whole. nice job against a good offense. Sampson and Kenny Scott (?) going up for those pics= impressive.
RBs: whoever the heck the Mason(?) kid is... wow . Abnar is a beast for such a little dude
TEs: I'm pre-disposed to liking them anyway. Been waiting for a decade for LU to use them

Negatives

#6: dude WTH? 1st quarter alone I counted 3 missed opportunities where he missed guys standing alone either deep down the side or across the middle. That will cost us a close game or 3. And not checking off receivers. In all, not what I expected out of a veteran. hoping he was just tight.
WRs: here we go again with guys dropping stuff that hits them in the hands or- worse yet- in the numbers. This has to be addressed immediately or find someone that wants it more.

Neutral

Special teams: meh. okay, not great. considering the level of competition I'd give them a C+
Kicking: see above. Wasnt a disaster but lots of room to improve- esp punting. couple (?) 30 yarders that didnt have much hang time. As far as PK I'd make Lunsford sit tho and give that kid a chance. See if he's anymore consistent than JL
Coaching: decent. Not sure what adjustments we did or didn't make at half-time but the offense definitely lagged in the last part of the game. That stretch of 5 min at the end of the 3rd crushed my spirit. I actually started cleaning the room after that debacle.

I give the overall effort a B-
again- we have large stretches where this team just falls apart. I don't know how you fix that. Almost like it's a LU cultural thing.

[PAmedic]

okay the easiest thing to do would've been to read the game thread and just say "what SJ said"

It probably aint a good thing but he's now channeling me.

we are definitely gonna be off the Christmas card list tho because I've been saying the "Win or Lose" photo thing makes me FRIGGIN MANIC

I mean, c'mon man! maybe a little less comfort with losing would go a long way with changing the culture around LU.

it's kinda like VMI winning the sportsmanship award year after year. and I'm sure their guys aren't happy about that either

EDIT: sigh... SJ don't click this link

[JakeP50]

I didn't watch the game, I was sick and campus internet is awful, but here's my take on things. You have to play pretty well to be within a single score of the 23rd ranked team in the nation at halftime. Other than that 3+ minute stretch where everything went down the toilet and UNC blew the game open we seemed to play really well. UNC will probably finish anywhere from fourth to sixth overall in the ACC and if the ball bounces their way in a couple close games they could win the Coastal Division. Who else on our schedule is actually capable of putting up 28 points in a single quarter? Maybe Coastal, App St and Richmond could if the defense they were up against is really bad, which I don't think ours is. This is what we expected from this game and most of us expected much, much worse so step back from the ledge and let's focus on Norfolk St.

[bluejacket]

The way we lost was more frustrating than the actual loss.

Yes.