Liberty Out crows the Chanticleers
The Southern Conference has attracted much more attention to The FCS, formerly D-1AA, recently thanks to THE UPSET which highlighted the football played there. Though not well-known to the average fan the Soutland Conference has played very good football for decades and has placed players on NFL rosters on a consistent basis. Liberty is a school that does not have a long football history but they look like a program on the rise and Coastal Carolina has been weakened by the loss of NFL level talents in QB Tyler Thigpen and Safety Quinton Teal.
The Chanticleers’ best player is WR Jerome Simpson and they simply did not get the ball into his hands enough with while Simpson made six catches for 54 yards and two touchdowns. The standout now has 41 career touchdowns, Simpson has become the first Big South receiver with 40 or more career touchdowns and continues to lead all active Division I-FCS receivers in that category. CCU’s five-game Big South winning streak was snapped, the Chanticleers now fall to 3-6 on the season and 1-1 in the Big South, while Liberty improved to 6-3 overall and 2-0 in league play.
Liberty set the tone early with a three-play, 56-yard scoring drive that took 1:22. After a 37-yard rush by Zach Terrell moved the ball to Coastal's 19, Rashad Jennings covered the remaining 19 yards on two plays, going four yards on first down and then added a 15-yard run up the middle for the touchdown. Noah Greenbaum added the extra point to put Liberty up 7-0. The Flames then took a 10-0 lead with a 22-yard field goal from Greenbaum. Liberty drove 69 yards on nine plays to set Greebaum up for the field goal. Liberty pushed its lead to 17-0 at 9:20 in the second quarter with quarterback Brock Smith completing a seven-yard pass to Chris Stokes. The Flames covered 70 yards in seven plays during the scoring drive, including a 35-yard complete pass from Smith to Dominic Bolden.
Coastal cracked the scoreboard when Redshirt junior Will Richardson found senior Jerome Simpson in the end zone for a nine-yard touchdown. Redshirt freshman Justin Durham converted on the extra point to make it a 17-7 game with 3:39 remaining in the first half. It took Coastal 5:34 to drive down 76 yards on 13 plays. However, the Flames responded on the next drive. After an intentional grounding penalty that put the ball back at the Liberty 10, Smith connected with Brandon Turner for an 86-yard pass to the Coastal 4. Terrell posted his second touchdown of the game on the following play, but the missed extra point by Greenbaum left Liberty up 23-7 with just under 3:00 in the half.
In the second stanza Durham connected on a 38-yard field goal at 12:51 to start the third quarter and make it a 23-10 game. Following a 49-yard kick-off return by freshman Eric O'Neal, Coastal got the ball on Liberty 46 and went 25 yards off five plays in 1:56 and had an opportunity to cut into the lead even more, driving down to the Liberty 11, but a fumble with 10:45 remaining in the third gave the ball back to LU. The Flames took advantage of the miscue, behind the efforts of Jennings, marching up the field 89 yards on nine plays. Jennings accounted for all 89 of those yards and eight plays and Greenbaum converted on the extra point to give Liberty the 30-10 advantage at the 7:33 mark.
Jennings struck paydirt for the second time in the third quarter when he ran for the six-yard touchdown with 50 seconds remaining in the quarter. The Flames covered 72 yards in eight plays. Greenbaum added the extra point to give Liberty a 37-10 lead. Coastal struck first in the final canto when Redshirt freshman Sean Fortson connected with Simpson in the end zone for a 27-yard touchdown at 7:56. Durham's extra point kick was good to make it a 37-17 game in favor of Liberty. It took the Chants 3:06 and eight plays to cover the 80 yards for the score. The Chants added another touchdown with junior Arthur Sitton rushing for one yard with 1:43 remaining. The drive started when junior Clarence Donley blocked a 49-yard field goal attempt by Greenbaum. Junior Warren Jennings recovered the ball at the Coastal 10. The Chants then used 10 plays to cover 90 yards in 3:46. Durham added the extra point to make it a 37-24 game, which ultimately proved to be the final score.
Although Coastal controlled the clock 31:37 to Liberty's 28:23, the Chants had 213 rushing yards off 51 rushes and 102 passing yards. Liberty totaled 262 rushing yards off 43 rushes and had 265 passing yards for 527 yards of total offense to just 315 for CCU. Senior Mike Tolbert had 13 carries for a team-best 82 yards, Rashad Jennings dominated the running game, rushing for 172 yards off 21 carries and had three touchdowns. Smith went 11-for-15 and threw for 265 yards with one interception.
Game Notes-
Coastal Carolina ‘
OFFENSE
WR # 19 Jerome Simpson 6’1.6” 192 4.51 [est.] is the reason pro scouts would have attended this game, he has: 11-inch hands measured from thumb to pinky, in part responsible for preseason All-American accolades, for NFL interest and for the Big South record in career receiving yards, he is also the active career TD catch leader in the Football Championship Subdivision Simpson's hands are hardly his only tool. He made many a sports wrap up shows highlight reel for the poster-izing of a JMU defender in 2005 that showcased his 4.46 [hand timed] speed in the 40-yard dash as well as his 43-inch vertical jump, which he used to set a school record in the high jump. With his frame hands and hops he can high point the ball like few others. Finished third at the NCAA East Regionals in the long jump and qualified for the 2007 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships also he was on the school record 4x400-meter relay squad that set the new mark at the Big South Championships.
He is not without flaws he is a little in love with jumping for balls he could catch with out leaving the ground and he got a little spoiled by Thigpen’s strong arm and does not always work back for the ball quickly enough. If you need a WR with Alvin Harper type upside Simpson will be on the board until about ½ way through the 4th round after that he is a cut out bin special.
Simpson was the only definite pro on offense but:
FB#40 Mike Tolbert 5’8.6 246 4.73 [est] Has drawn some interest reportedly a Giants scout was intrigued with, he has size and decent quickness, he did not have any chances to catch the ball though he did have 1 pass attempt, incomplete, and rushed for 82 yards on 13 carries and had a 21 yarder where he looked a little like Natrone Means. 7th round or Priority UDFA.
DEFENSE
DT # 92 6’3.5 286 5.03 [est] Grady did not have a great game it was clear Liberty was aware of him and planned away from him, however I’d expect more from a guy with an outside chance at being drafted. He had two assists and .5 TFL.
LIBERTY
Offense Game Notes:
RS JR Rashad Jennings TB #3 A Pitt transfer was the best looking of the backs on either side he had 172 yards on 21 carries and showed balance power and speed, on his long of 29 he showed really good acceleration for a big, 6’0.5” 237, back and I’d guess he’s just under 4.6 in the 40. With a big senior year he could be drafted mid day 2.
JR QB Brock Smith 6’2.5 239 Looked like a “poor man’s” Dave Ragone, he is a big strong QB with decent wheels I’d guess around 4.85 in the 40 he was 11 of 15 for 265 yards including an 86 yard deep strike to Brandon Turner. He needs to learn to look off the defenders on his pick he stared down his target, but with his tools if he improves and puts in the work to be a pro he could be as good a prospect as Thigpen. A chance at the tail end of the draft or UDFA.
WR/KR #1 Wynton Jackson 6’0.1 188 4.48 [est] though the celebrated WR suited up for the other team Jackson has a chance if he gets invited to a camp, he has good size and speed he had 2 catches for 38 yards, 2 runs for 21 yards, 2 KO returns for 33 yards and 2 punt returns for 9 yards. Though he was not a huge factor in the game you could see has burst and quickness. He deserve a camp invite for his return ability and potential. UDFA.
OT #68 Stephen Sene 6’4.5” 326 5.38 [est] Though he is an LT his future is at OG, despite his intention do become a Youth Minister this Super Senior, 6th Year player he transferred from the Gamecocks, is a powerful, punishing and fierce run blocker he can hit moving targets and finishes blocks, though he could play outside in a pinch his feet are not elite. Priority UDFA for his versatility and power.
DEFENSE
OLB #4Vincent Redd 6’5.6 264 4.84 [est] had a monster outing with11 stops a career high for the Virginia transfer who finished the contest against the three-time defending Big South champions tied with Ryan Greiser for game-high tackling honors, as both recorded 11 tackles, he also finished the game with 2.5 sacks for a loss of 21 yards, setting a new career mark for sacks, as well. He could put 15-20 pounds on his frame and be a DE at the next level or as is he’s a prototype 3-4 OLB. I’d take him anytime after the 5th round if he goes undrafted, I’d have his # speed dial.
