[Chippy]

I listened to the game from work for the first hour or so, if I had even tried to make the trip yesterday, it would probably have been by myself because it would have cost about 80-90 dollars just for tickets for me and my oldest son (the younger one isn't quite ready for football games yet).

As for the game itself:
1) AGG definitely has a chance to play himself into day 1 or 2 of the NFL Draft in 2020.
2) Buckshot needs to look over his shoulder even with Malik Willis sitting out this year
3) The O-line needs some major soli work in practice because I lost count of how many times I heard AY say that Buckshot went down on the broadcast yesterday
4) Only 21,000+ for the biggest opponent to come to LU in the 47-year history of the program? SMH

The most disappointing thing for me was the sacks on our QB when they only had a 3 man rush. 3 on 6 and they beat us 3-4 times. The lack of pass protection and run blocking did us in. Their D line overwhelmed our O line all night. A clear FCS vs. FBS talent discrepancy. The attendance also a little disappointing. Can't imagine if the 2K Syracuse fans hadn't been in attendance how much more disappointed we would be.

[SumItUp]

Are we healthy? We’re there any sidelining injuries?

[Jonathan Carone]

Re: attendance and ticket prices

I think $40 was a good call for two reasons:

1) It helped increase season ticket sells.

2) It prepared people for future name games.

I think it hindered some from coming (myself included), but long term it was the best thing for the program. We had to show Liberty people what FBS was going to be like eventually. Might as well pull the bandaid off at once.

The concessions issue needs to be fixed bad though or else people aren’t going to come back. With games being on tv, it’s much cheaper and convenient to watch a game from your couch and cook your own meal. If people are going to shell out money on something they could’ve gotten for free, it has to be loaded with value.

[LUAlum1215]

I’ve read/heard a lot of concern about the concessions and poor quality. I don’t partake usually, outside of the souvenir cup (but that was disappointing so I didn’t get that either). Time for productivity. What should/could be done to make concessions better?

[thepostman]

The first step would be finding a better comoany to contract it out to. Sodexo has done a great job improving the eating options around campus but for some reason that hasn't translated to sporting events. I have no idea what the nature of the Sodexo contract is but it's probably not an easy one to get out of.

Since that is not on the table, I'm really not sure what they do. Maybe have athletics get more involved. This had literally been a problem for years and years. It is crazy that it hasn't gotten any better.

[A Sea of Red]

[LUOrange]

I’ve read/heard a lot of concern about the concessions and poor quality. I don’t partake usually, outside of the souvenir cup (but that was disappointing so I didn’t get that either). Time for productivity. What should/could be done to make concessions better?

They could add some kitchens during the offseason, rather than cooking off site and trucking everything in. Heated butter like the movie theaters, it can't be that expensive. Ice machines on sight, again not expensive. Sell bottled and fountain drinks. Grilling burgers and dogs on site would go over really well. The last cheeseburger I got at the Bill I thought was a burger and who knows what that was that they called cheese, and it was cold! Do we even sell hot pretzels? I mean you can get a good pretzel at Sam's Club for a buck, again not hard to do.

Again, Jr. needs to find a good food exec that needs a 2nd chance and bring him to Liberty for athletic concessions.

[olldflame]

Are we healthy? We’re there any sidelining injuries?

Our number 2 and 3 outside receivers, Frith and McCutchen were out, which really left us with only AGG as a big target.

[Chippy]

Are we healthy? We’re there any sidelining injuries?

Our number 2 and 3 outside receivers, Frith and McCutchen were out, which really left us with only AGG as a big target.

McCutchen plays baseball . . you probably meant too say CJ Yarbrough. They are big targets with hands and speed.

[Cider Jim]

My concessions experience was mostly good, but I went down BEFORE halftime and found a cart selling deluxe nachos! I didn't get the nachos because I only wanted a drink, and it was the shortest line I could find. Still the nachos looked amazing with a variety of toppings--including pulled chicken.

About my Poweraid, they had just put it in the ice when I got in line with maybe 4 people ahead of me, and the only color they had was purple. It wasn't ice cold, but at least it was cooler than lukewarm.

[olldflame]

Are we healthy? We’re there any sidelining injuries?

Our number 2 and 3 outside receivers, Frith and McCutchen were out, which really left us with only AGG as a big target.

McCutchen plays baseball . . you probably meant too say CJ Yarbrough. They are big targets with hands and speed.

Yes,I was referring to Yarborough. Not sure
why the other name came to mind.

[LibertyD]

Not having freeze last couple weeks hurt and prices are too high too quick. Still the crowd was awesome and easily the most people weve had. I think until we start winning and making bowls 22k is not bad honestly. As others have said syracuse didnt bring as many as we might have thought. Maybe 1000? There was one cluster in upper student side and rest were spread out. Concessions were an atrocity and so was trying to get into purple parking lots. They have too many areas sealed off too early. I was there at 3 and our entire 20 person group had trouble getting in.

Game wise

I came away super impressed with the defense. Given the tempo pedigree and returning talent i thought the defense gets an A minus tonight. We got hurt in the screen game and had a couple penalties that were killers but man they held their own and then some

Special teams was also much improved. Still some work to do there though. Stubbs scares me to death on punts and probert has to be more consistent but kick coverage and punts were much better


Offense - dont even know where to start but outside AGG its hard to find any positives. We really need yarborough and frith back asap. We have no size on the outside and nobody won on the outside but Agg consistently. Buckshot and the line both were dreadful. You knew the line would have its hands full so you hoped buck would step up. Hes just a 1 read qb and really misdiagnosed the rpo several times. It seems like he does the opposite of what he needs to do in the pocket. I thought he would show improvement this year but not tonight. Macks fumble was a killer and rbs as a whole struggled both running and blocking.

With lack of size outside we need more from tight ends like huntley and barrett and the rbs. Buck has to get them the ball too though.

Agree with everything you said. But, I think the early missed field goal and fumble could have given momentum. But fumble wasn’t a killer because it occurred early in our red zone. Cuse didn’t score off of it. The real killer was too many 3 and outs for offense. Defense on field too long. Poor play calling. Poor use of RBs. SU rotated 3 RBs entire game. Buckshot, Buckshot, Buckshot. No Hugh Freeze on the field. Defense was impressive until late and out of gas...

[Liberty22]

My 2 cents:

1. Concessions was an upgraded disappointment. It looks like the food is much better this year. We got fried Oreos that were delicious, got the season bottomless refill cup again too. But to run out of ice and then eventually drinks is poor form. Agree with everyone there. I also had an interesting thought while waiting in line. I never really noticed it until last night. But it’s almost like when they built the stadium they didn’t build it with 20,000+ in mind in terms of concession space. It’s almost impossible to even form a line in that tight of a space let alone have people going from one side of the stadium to the other. If there was a way for the concessions to be pushed back and the tunnels be widened I feel like that would be much better. I’m not advocating they do that I’m just saying that I wish they would have from the start.

2. Attendance was disappointing. One factor I think that played into it as well is the Labor Day holiday. Having worked in athletics and even seeing the impact of it in my current job outside of athletics, a lot of families travel over Labor Day weekend. Not saying that’s the missing 3500 people but could have been a factor

[jimflamesfan]

I agree with SuperJohn. It would be better for Freeze to say...our Wide receivers coach will be the acting head coach for the next 4 weeks and then Freeze could go to the best rehab place where they can make sure he doesnt reaggrivate things and that he gets the right amount of Physical Therapy so that he can come back better.
Even in most "normal" jobs, people have fmla time to rehab when they have surgery.

[A Sea of Red]

Full photo gallery is now live!

https://www.aseaofred.com/photo-gallery-syracuse/

[LibertyD]

Giving a new RB the ball in that potential 1st TD situation was just dumb. RBs overall very weak. OL is a patched together group that will take time to jell. Team needs a few years to up overall talent to really compete at FBS level.

It's just the first game of the official FBS season against a good ranking ACC team. I agree giving Mack TD run 1st touch after sitting a year probably was not good. But if he scored, conversation changes. I think everyone will be better from this experience. RBs are not weak, just need better OL blocking, rotation and play calling. NO HCHF really hurt!

We gotta get more out of the WR core, as well. Can't run down AGG too early in the season. Overall, the team did better than expected for this game. SU was not impressive. I think we do well the rest of the way with everone, coachs included, learning from this experience.

[jimflamesfan]

As far as concessions. The quickest fix for the lines is a bunch of canned soda machines. They used to have soda machines in the Vines that you could get drinks from if you didn't want to wait for concession. Just set the price according and place about 4 of them on each side of the stadium.

[jimflamesfan]

It's not a long term solution, but the soda machines are something that could be done in time for the Buffalo game. Kindof like a temporary bandaid.

[Purple Haize]

It's not a long term solution, but the soda machines are something that could be done in time for the Buffalo game. Kindof like a temporary bandaid.

Soda machines would be a nightmare. The volume and scale would be overwhelming and begging for a breakdown.
Now if you had some dedicated beverage stations/islands that would be a solution to that problem. They are in every arena and stadium I’ve ever been to.

[LUOrange]

My 2 cents:

1. Concessions was an upgraded disappointment. It looks like the food is much better this year. We got fried Oreos that were delicious, got the season bottomless refill cup again too. But to run out of ice and then eventually drinks is poor form. Agree with everyone there. I also had an interesting thought while waiting in line. I never really noticed it until last night. But it’s almost like when they built the stadium they didn’t build it with 20,000+ in mind in terms of concession space. It’s almost impossible to even form a line in that tight of a space let alone have people going from one side of the stadium to the other. If there was a way for the concessions to be pushed back and the tunnels be widened I feel like that would be much better. I’m not advocating they do that I’m just saying that I wish they would have from the start.

2. Attendance was disappointing. One factor I think that played into it as well is the Labor Day holiday. Having worked in athletics and even seeing the impact of it in my current job outside of athletics, a lot of families travel over Labor Day weekend. Not saying that’s the missing 3500 people but could have been a factor

1. I do agree with you about the Baptist side and it's construction and planning, especially when you consider the new upper deck on the student side. There's so much more room and bigger restrooms. I read a while back that the plan was to get to at least 40K. Makes you wonder without building an entirely new stadium some where else, how do they get there with future renovations? Althought, with LU and Jr, nothing really would surprise me.
2. I think Labor Day may have played a role in the attendance, especially with the casual LU fan. But IMO, ticket prices and the reserved GA seating was and is the biggest deterrents Syracuse as the opponent, even being ranked, was another lesser factor. I'm not sure UVA would've sold out for them either. UVA and Tech will obviously pack the Bill. Probably the NC P-5's minus Wake and WVU would all probably pack the house as well. Just my opinion though.

[jimflamesfan]

Never saw any problems at the Vines, with the soda machines, even when LU hosted the Big South basketball Tourneys back in the day and the machines were used all day.

[CCWMichael]

I’ve read/heard a lot of concern about the concessions and poor quality. I don’t partake usually, outside of the souvenir cup (but that was disappointing so I didn’t get that either). Time for productivity. What should/could be done to make concessions better?

Sir, you are not the first to mention concessions but it surprises me no one is talking about clock management. The officials had to openly scold us. Music being played over the officials descriptions. The band not shutting down in time for plays. We are still sub division in many areas.

[Jonathan Carone]

Never saw any problems at the Vines, with the soda machines, even when LU hosted the Big South basketball Tourneys back in the day and the machines were used all day.

Huge difference in 9000 people and 19,000 people.

[jimflamesfan]

If you don't have room for food trucks and the contract doesnt allow more concession workers, then what other option but machines? I think there were 6 machines in the Vines. Maybe 12 for football so SJ's math works out...or just limit the soda machines to coke, diet coke, and water. (Or pepsi, whoever we are with). Mark up the price to make it comparable to the concessions. This isn't to replace concessions, it's just to get the soda only people out of the lines.

[Cider Jim]

I used to go to a lot of Orioles games, and they always had walking vendors in the stands selling drinks and hot dogs. Wouldn't that work in Williams Stadium, too?

I did see a walking vendor selling Domino's pizza on the Baptist side of the Bill, but who wants pizza without a drink to wash it down?