Saturday, Sept. 2 - 12 p.m. ET
Williams Stadium - Lynchburg, VA
CBSSN
MRO STAFF REPORT
Talk about questions marks?
There may be no team in college football with more question marks than the Liberty Flames. That means a lot of uncertainty, not only for the Flames, but for the Bowling Green Falcons.
Liberty hosts BGSU in their season opener Saturday. It begins at noon, and a few hours later some of the questions will have at least partial answers. Leading up to the contest, however, BGSU has been somewhat limited in what it could project from an opponent that:
1. Has a new head coach and staff (with different schemes?)
2. New conference
3. A BUNCH of new players
Bowling Green, of course, has a few questions of its own. So, it will be a big day for sorting things out -- on both sides.
Here's more on the two teams . . .
>> Formerly an independent, Liberty is moving into Conference USA this year.
>> Former head coach Hugh Freeze is now at Auburn. He guided Liberty from 2019-2022, raising the program's national recognition substancially along the way. His 2020 Flames went 10-1, with the only lost being a 15-14 setback at North Carolina State. Considering LU did not become a full FBS member until 2019, it was a quite an accomplishment.
>> Liberty went 8-5 last year, winning eight of the first nine before dropping the last four games. Three of those losses were by three points or less.
>> Among area for potential improvement is turnovers. The Flames ranked 125th of 130 teams in turnovers lost during 2022. They were 84th in turnover margin.
>> Liberty is working to improve an offensive line that ranked 11th nationally in sacked allowed last year.
>> Jamey Chadwell, who has enjoyed recent success leading Coastal Carolina, has taken over the LU head coaching position.
>> Former West Virginia lineman Jordan White joins some experience (and transfers) along the front line, but the unit as a whole will need to step up production.
>> Two seniors and a sophomore are among the possibilities at quarterback. Johnathan Bennett completed 131-of-224 (58.5%) attempts (1,534 yards, 12 TDs, 9 interceptions) last year. Former Tenneessee QB Kaidon Salter (SO) appeared in eight games, connecting on 87-of-149 passes, totaling 1,086 yards with eight TDs and five picks. Trey Lowe (Southern Miss) transferred into the program and is another option.
>> Leading receiver Demario Douglas has moved on (New England Patriots). However, Noah Frith is back after catching 25 balls for a total of 444 yards and a TD. Several transfers are among returning options.
>> Liberty shined on defense last year, generating turnovers and pressure. However, many of those playmakers are gone. Senior Kendy Charles will help anchor the line.
>> There will be several new faces at linebacker, but the secondary figures as LU's most experienced unit. Senior safety Quinton Reese leads that group. Kobe Singleton and Amarian Williams are returning corners.
SPECIAL TEAMS
As mentioned, the Flames lost several close games down the stretch last year. One was a 21-19 loss to Toledo in the Roofclaim.com Boca Raton Bowl. Kicker Nick Brown missed a 19-yard field goal attempt in that one and connected on just 11 of 19 field goal tries overall.
BOWLING GREEN FALCONS
Check out the complete preseason preview HERE
FINAL THOUGHTS
Scouting this matchup couldn't have been easy for BGSU. At least on offense, this first game is a lot about Bowling Green executing with some new pieces. Liberty has even more pieces to integrate. Even special teams are cause for pause.
With two teams in transition and defenses with some talented playmakers on both sides, turnovers could be a key factor in this game.