Flames notes

By Chris Lang
Sports writer
Published: September 30, 2008

To inspire Rashad Jennings last week, Liberty football coach Danny Rocco showed his senior tailback video of the second half of the Youngstown State-North Dakota State game. Specifically, he wanted Jennings to watch North Dakota State tailback Tyler Roehl, who had missed the first half nursing an ankle injury.

“He was just a ball of fire,” Rocco said of Roehl, who like Jennings is a candidate for the Walter Payton Award. “He ran hard. I gave Rashad the DVD of the second half of the North Dakota State game, and it wasn’t just how hard the guy ran. He came off to the sideline, and they had pictures of him. He was pumped up. He was high-fiving his offensive linemen, high-fiving his coaches. This guy was the heart of that North Dakota State effort in the second half to get back in the game.

“I said, that’s what I need out of you Rashad. I need that type of spirit. And that’s what he gave us.”

Jennings rushed for a career-high 220 yards on 29 carries and scored three touchdowns as the Flames beat Youngstown State 31-28 last Saturday in Ohio. For his efforts, Jennings was named the national offensive player of the week by the Sports Network, and he earned Big South offensive player of the week honors as well.

After the game, Jennings said he “ran with an attitude.” Tuesday, he acknowledged that he got something out of watching Roehl run against the Penguins.

“He reminded me of how I ran last year,” Jennings said. “He looked for contact, and if it wasn’t there, he looked for some more. He was a physical back, and it just reminded of what kind of back I need to be.”

Put ’em away

Liberty held two-touchdown leads in the fourth quarter in each of its last two games but had to hold on for dear life to come out with victories.

Against Western Carolina, the Flames allowed a big play — a 78-yard touchdown pass — early in the fourth quarter to let the Catamounts back in the game.

Saturday in Youngstown, the Flames led 28-14 with seven minutes to play, but two Liberty turnovers allowed the Penguins to tie the game.

“I addressed it Monday,” Rocco said. “There’s a lot of positives that we got out of those two close road wins. But I did say the one thing that this team has yet to show it can do is to put somebody away. We had ample opportunity up in Cullowhee and ample opportunity up in Youngstown.

“That’s the nature of college football. It’s a hard thing to do, unless the opponent is a lesser opponent or the opponent doesn’t have the character to fight and hang in there. But it is something that we addressed. The ability to make a turn there would go a long way here as we enter the meat of our schedule in conference play.”

Injury report

Defensive back Tim Torrence, who made a spectacular hit against Youngstown State’s Dominique Barnes on a kick return Saturday, is still trying to battle back from a concussion he suffered on the play. Rocco said he won’t practice until later in the week.

Rocco said two players who have been injured — tight end Tommy Shaver (foot) and guard Britt Stone (leg) are “candidates to play” Saturday at Coastal Carolina but added that both are game-time decisions.

Receiver Matt Lambros returned against YSU and played on special teams, but Mike Brown has supplanted Lambros on the depth chart at receiver.

Coastal is dealing with its own injury problems. Quarterback Zach MacDowall, running back Eric O’Neal and receiver Trent Usher all missed last Saturday’s game against North Carolina A&T with ankle injuries, and their status for Saturday is uncertain, CCU coach David Bennett said. Starting cornerback Marrio Norman injured his foot against N.C. A&T, underwent surgery earlier this week and is likely done for the year, Bennett added.

Extra points

Saturday’s game will be a “Blackout” at Brooks Stadium, as all CCU fans are encouraged to wear black for the game. … MASN and SportSouth will televise the game. … Rocco said he received 28 text messages congratulating him on the YSU win by the time he reached the team bus after the game. … After Saturday’s game, Liberty returns home for three straight games.