FOOTBALL: GAME NOTES

CU BROADCASTER PREVIEWS CONCORD AT WEST LIBERTY

Concord Sports Information Director Kyle Cooper also doubles as CU's radio play-by-play announcer.  Now in his fourth season as the Voice of the Mountain Lions, Cooper shares his notes on Saturday's football game between Concord and West Liberty at Russek Field in West Liberty, WV.  Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 pm.


Zach Gibbins Tackle at FSU (JL) 1024 x 683
The Mountain Lions have hopes of reaching the NCAA playoffs, and have been on a playoff footing for nearly a month.

Concord has faced must-win situations in each game since its defeat at Glenville State on October 8, and has come through each time.  CU defeated Seton Hill on October 15 and, after a bye, grabbed an important road win at Fairmont State last Saturday.

The Mountain Lions (5-3, 5-1) visit West Liberty on Saturday afternoon, to meet a Hilltoppers team that's had its difficulties this year.  Gone are QB Zach Amedro, TE Ryan Travis, RB Kevon Calhoun and the other mainstays of an offense that averaged 46.7 points per game over the 2009 and 2010 seasons.  As WLU (1-8, 1-6) rebuilds, their scoring has plummeted to 18.3 ppg.

“They lost three of the best players in their history, and any program would suffer after something like that,” said Concord head coach Garin Justice.  “They're going with a lot of new guys.  But they're dangerous.  West Liberty has always had great skill players and we have to be ready for anything.”

The Mountain Lions boast one of the WVIAC's top defenses.  Concord has yielded only seven touchdowns in six conference games and leads the league in points allowed (18.1), pass defense (174.7 ypg) and turnover differential (+13). 

“Our defense is playing with a lot of confidence right now,” Justice said.  “They're going out there with the feeling that when they need to get a stop, they'll get it.  That confidence runs through the rest of the team.  The offense sees the defense do its job, and they want to get out there and do their just like it.”

Brian Kennedy Run at FSU (JL) 1024 x 869
CU's offense was efficient in last week's win at Fairmont State, generating 5.3 yards per play.  It also showed a lot of confidence in putting together what was arguably its most important possession of the season.
After FSU scored a touchdown to pull within 12-7 with 7:21 left in the 4th quarter, Concord responded with a three-play, 70-yard drive that culminated with Brian Kennedy's 35-yard touchdown run.  Kennedy ran for the two-point conversion, CU led 20-7 with 6:06 left, and the outcome of the contest was decided.

“When the offense took the field after Fairmont's touchdown, I could see it in their eyes that they were going to score,” Justice said.  “They were talking about how the defense had played so well and that it was their time to step up.  It was no-nonsense.  They just went out and did it.”

Concord's special teams also produced some big plays, blocking a punt and two field goal attempts in a low-scoring game.

“Plays like that in a game like that are huge,” said Justice.  “Those two blocked field goals took away six points from the other team, in a game where points were hard to come by.  We weren't perfect on special teams, but if we can keep making plays like that we'll be in good shape.”

Should the Mountain Lions win on Saturday, their game against West Virginia Wesleyan on November 12 will be, in essence, a WVIAC championship game.  But a loss to West Liberty would dash CU's title hopes, and the Mountain Lions know it.

Garrett Hammett KOR at FSU (JL) 1024 x 683
“We have been playing elimination games since Glenville,” Justice said.  “We can't look past anybody.  If we're fortunate enough to get a win on Saturday we'll be in a position to achieve one of our goals.  We'll be focused on West Liberty.  We have guys in our locker room who've never beaten West Liberty.  Nobody wants to go through a college career without a win against a conference team.  They want to win this game.”

Concord hasn't defeated the Hilltoppers since a 27-23 victory at Callaghan Stadium on September 23, 2006.

Saturday's game will be broadcast on News/Talk 620 WWNR in Beckley, which also has a local 101.1 FM signal.  The webcast can be found on www.theticket102.com.  West Liberty will provide live television coverage.




(photos by Jennifer Logan)


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