Turnovers plague Flames in loss

Miscues and turnovers played a factor in the 43-21 loss to NC State

For Achilles, it was his heel. For Samson, it was Delilah. For Danny Rocco and the Flames Saturday night in Raleigh, it was a deadly rash of turnover-itis that killed drives, momentum and ultimately, the chance for a win.

“(We had) way too many mistakes, way too many miscues,” Rocco said afterwards. “(The seven turnovers were) inexcusable, unacceptable and truly tonight was the difference in the football game. You know I was talking all week about being in the plus (in turnover ratio) and maybe we could win this game and obviously, we were nowhere near being in the plus tonight.”

What started as a feature of Liberty’s new hurry-up, mid-range passing attack, degraded into a series of penalties and mistakes that led to the 43-21 Liberty loss.

“We showed alot of signs in stretches to be able to move the football and that was very encouraging,” Rocco said. “Most of our drives that were negated, were (us) shooting ourselves in the foot.”

Liberty’s first drive came after forcing an NC State three-and-out. Quarterback Mike Brown threw 5-7 for 44 yards in addition to a 10-yard carry before an ineligible receiver flag made it first-and-15. An incomplete pass, a busted up quarterback keeper up the middle and then a sack killed the drive and forced a punt.

And such was the haunting alliteration for the tone of the game.

“Penalties hurt us,” Brown said. “I feel like so many drives we just stopped ourselves. We’d get a big play and come back with a penalty. Big play, fumble. Big play, interception. Defense comes out and makes a big play then we (the offense) turns it over.”

Two plays after a 21-yard toss to a blazing Ervin Garner, Liberty fumbled the ball on NC State’s 41-yard line.

Immediately after, Illinois transfer Walt Aikens blasted State’s 6’7” quarterback Mike Glennon knocking the ball loose. Defensive lineman Francis Bah scooped it up and trotted into the endzone putting Liberty up 7-3.

Flags, an interception, a fumble and a punt that Wolfpack returner T.J. Graham ran back to the endzone sullied Liberty’s next possessions. Another interception by Brown led to a State touchdown before the end of the half.

“(It was) bad decisions, trying to force too many balls. I didn’t protect the ball when I was running, didn’t protect the ball in the pocket.”

Needing some ‘Mo’

After the first half of excelling passing negated by silly errors, Liberty was still in the game with State, trailing only 16-7.

NC State ran the score to 23-7 before Liberty finally caught a break. Brown broke loose down the right sideline for 25 yards. An NC State defender came in and hit him out of bounds, tacking 15 yards on to the play, setting up a 27-yard loft to Chris Summers, making the score 23-15.

Liberty was fighting.

Matt Bevins hit a 50-yard field goal as well as a 38-yarder while the defense held Glennon in check. Just inside the fourth quarter, Liberty was down only nine, 30-21.

Nailing the Coffin

The turnover rash and penalty sale continued to plague Liberty when it mattered most. After winning a challenge that gave Liberty possession of an NC State fumble, Brown coughed it up on the next play. The ‘Pack turned it into a touchdown.

Liberty drove again, only to throw an interception that once again resulted in a Wolfpack score.

The Flames foot in the door was slammed shut.

“Defensively, we can always criticize how it ended, but sometimes it’s a product of play count, Rocco said. “My kids fought. I’m not going to stand up here and let anyone tell me my kids didn’t fight tonight. My kids fought hard tonight. We sacked their quarterback, we made plays on the ball and the defense played hard tonight. I think it’s a very positive impression of what we could do in the FCS portion of our schedule.”