Big South foe falls to LU
Rolling thunder — Aldreakis Allen (20) had a total of 154 all-purpose yards and two rushing touchdowns Saturday. Photo credit: Ruth Bibby
The ‘Quest’ continues after a Coastal victory
Some days, everything seems to go right. Like, Flames junior wide-out Ryan Fergueson blocking a punt on the 22-yard line and freshman linebacker Bobby Partilla recovering the ball in the end zone for a touchdown.
In the Flames 63-27 defeat of Coastal Carolina Saturday, from SirChauncey Holloway’s 54-yard gallop on the first snap, to Kevin Fogg’s block of Coastal’s fourth quarter extra-point attempt, everything went right for Danny Rocco.
“I’m really proud of the guys,” Rocco said. “We’ve had our backs against the wall for a while now and let’s face it, we responded in a big way when we needed to respond the most.”
Those with a long-term memory will remember last year’s road loss in Myrtle Beach to the Chanticleers in the jostle for a playoff berth.
“We felt like they took it from us last year,” quarterback Mike Brown said. “We had that in mind all week and it was good to get out front tonight and not look back.”
No score for you
When Liberty’s defense took the field for Coastal’s first offensive drive, the Flames had not surrendered a touchdown since the third quarter of the Lehigh game three weeks ago — over 144 minutes of game time.
Coastal opened no better.
Chanticleer running back Marcus Whitener took Coastal’s first snap up the middle but was met by Liberty defensive end Corey Freeman, who jarred the ball loose. Chris Mayo scooped up the loose ball, putting Liberty’s offense back on the field after just nine seconds.
“Taking the ball away — that’s one of our biggest things,” Freeman said. “If we can get three-plus turnovers, that is key for us. If we do that, it’s very hard to lose.”
The Flames forced their three wanted turnovers all in the first half, ballooning the lead early.
Wrapped up — Freshmen defenders Bobby Partilla (4) and Randy Spann (21) were part of a miserish outing against Coastal. The Flames did not surrender a score until the final drive of the second quarter. Photo credit: Ruth Bibby
Chris Mayo forced Coastal back Jeremy Height to fumble in the first quarter, and Chanticleer quarterback Aramis Hillary dropped the snap from center. Liberty end Paco Varol recovered both.
“(I am) really pleased with our defense,” Rocco said. “(They) played hard, played physical and I think we’re in a good spot moving forward.”
Boots on the ground
Every opportunity Liberty’s defense handed Rocco, sophomore back Aldreikis Allen ran with — literally.
Allen punched in two touchdowns and gobbled 96 rushing yards en route to 156 all-purpose yards on the day.
“We wanted to come out and play a championship-caliber game,” Allen said. “It was a time to man-up, really.”
The Flames rushed for 259 yards on the day, the most since almost 300 yards against Kentucky Wesleyan, and the second-highest rushing mark on the year.
“I’m real proud of the way we ran the football,” Rocco said. “It’s been a while since I felt we could control the tempo of the game with our run game … when we run the ball, we’re hard to stop … and tonight, we won the game running the ball.”
Number Crunching
The win boosts Liberty’s record to a positive 4-3 (2-0) and tilts the all-time record between the two Big South heavies in the Flames favor, 5-4.
Brown’s two touchdown passes tied him as sixth all-time in the Big South for career touchdown passes (39) with Gardner-Webb alumni Devin Campbell.
Saturday’s homecoming ticket drew 19,111, a Williams Stadium record.
Bobby Partilla’s recovery of a blocked punt for a touchdown was the first since 1997 when Torrey Rush recovered one against Glendale State.
Coastal drops to 4-2 (1-1) on the year.