Brock Smith - QB of Present & Future

[Sly Fox]

Here is Chris' Monday story from the fishwrap on our freshman phenom:

Flames see QB of the future in Smith

By Chris Lang
Lynchburg News & Advance
November 14, 2005

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. - Liberty University freshman quarterback Brock Smith wasn’t perfect Saturday. He fumbled an exchange from center Mike Godsil. His third-down pass to Dominic Bolden was high and out of the receiver’s reach late in the fourth quarter.

So there are two flaws right there. But you’d have to look pretty hard to find any other problems with the freshman’s game against Charleston Southern.

He completed 20 of 31 passes for 315 yards and three touchdowns, marking the first time in four years that a Flame QB eclipsed the 300-yard mark in a game.

And he showed poise befitting a senior, not a rookie making just his second career start.

In the first quarter, with his team trailing 15-2 to Charleston Southern, Smith didn’t panic. Instead, he made a play when nothing was there.

Facing third-and-20 from his own 36, Smith took the snap and immediately felt heat from the blitzing Charleston Southern defense. He slipped away from the first touch and began to roll left, shaking off another CSU defender.

On the run, off his back foot, he fired a perfect 30-yard pass to wide-open receiver Wynton Jackson, and Jackson sped untouched to the end zone for a touchdown.

“It was a busted play,” LU coach Ken Karcher said. “It’s not like we told him, ‘roll to your left and throw off your other foot 60 yards.’ But he made a play. That’s why he’s had two good weeks because he knows how to do that.”

In the fourth quarter, Smith’s instincts were on display again.

On third-and-5 from midfield, Smith was in trouble again. CSU brought the heat, and two Bucs had Smith in their grasp. Instead of panicking or getting careless with the football, Smith looked for an out.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw running back Rod Fluellen and flipped the ball toward the running back.

Instead of taking a 5-yard sack, the Flames had a 13-yard gain and a first down.

“I got drilled, and there he was,” Smith said. “We just made a play.”

It’s those instincts that give Smith the chance to be the best quarterback Liberty has had since the mid-1990s, when LU signal-callers regularly threw for more than 2,000 yards in a season.

“At halftime, we talked about how we were right in the game, and that we hoped some inexperience at that position (for LU) would give us a little bit of an advantage in the second half,” CSU coach Jay Mills said. “But he played with a lot of maturity, and he’s going to be a force to be reckoned with in future years.”

The next task for Smith: Finding a way to lead his team to victory.

He thought he had done just that Saturday.

Instead, he watched helplessly as Liberty’s defense gave up two long touchdown drives in the fourth quarter as Charleston Southern rallied for a 31-30 win.

Even so, Liberty is sure it has found its quarterback of the future.

He’s got one more chance to lead LU to a victory - next Saturday at Norfolk State.

“We’re all going to be here next year,” Smith said. “We’ve got to find a way to finish games. We’ve got to do something.”

www.newsadvance.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=LNA%2FMGArticle%2FLNA_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1128768136134&path=!sports

The countdown is underway to the reply by a proud aunt.

[aunt]

So proud... So proud... I also am proud of everyone of his team-mates..

[Sly Fox]

It took you 19 minutes, Anne. I'm disappointed. ;D

Seriously with Brock & Zach back for three more years (hopefully) we're looking nice at some of the key skill positions for whoever is coaching this team next season.

[beigledog]

Hopefully it won't be Karcher!

[FHSFlash]

Auntie.......What kind of speed does he have? Sounds like he might need to mix in a little option like when you are ahead and need to run out the clock. That little pitch made me think of it.

[PAmedic]

Smith Named Big South’s Top Freshman Again

November 14, 2005 · Lynchburg, Va.

Liberty University football player Brock Smith has been named the Big South Conference’s Freshman of the Week for the Flames’ second-straight game, honoring his play against Charleston Southern last weekend.

Smith (QB, Fr., 6-3, 240, Hershey, Pa.) completed 20-of-31 pass attempts for 315 yards and three touchdowns to become the eighth quarterback in school history to record a 300 yard passing game and the first since current assistant coach Biff Parson threw for 321 yards against South Florida on October 27, 2001.

In just his second career start, Smith recorded the eighth most passing yards in a game by a Big South Conference player and the second most against a fellow conference opponent. It also marked the first time since the 2003 season that a Liberty quarterback recorded three touchdowns in a game.

This marked the second-straight game that Smith has been named the league’s Big South Freshman of the Week as he was also named the league’s top weekly rookie after playing Gardner-Webb on October 30 when he passed for 261 yards (17-of-26) against the Bulldogs.

Liberty has dominated this year’s Big South Freshman of the Week awards as a Flames football player has taken home the awards six times out of 11 weeks, including twice by Smith (Nov. 1 and Nov. 14), twice by Zach Terrell (Sept. 12 and Oct. 10) and once by Patrick Calvary (Oct. 24) and Rod Fluellen (Sept. 5).

Smith and the Flames will conclude their 2005 campaign this Saturday as they travel to Norfolk, Va., to take on Norfolk State for a 1 p.m. contest.

Brock Smith has been named this week's Big South Freshman of the Week, honoring his efforts against Charleston Southern.

[PAmedic]

here's the strangest thing- the kid aint from TEXAS. in fact, he's from - hmmm, let me see- oh yeah: PA!! huh. how can THAT be? same state as Greiser? WOW

[Sly Fox]

If we recruited Texas we would have players of the week EVERy week. ;D

[HarrisburgFlame]

what happened to Greiser? Is he totally off the radar? Did they move him to D?

[madmat79]

I can't stay silent any longer. I have been reading this forum all fall, and appreciate the scoop on much of what is happening with the LU football program. I know this is made up of mostly alumni, and one proud aunt, but are you accepting of a freshmen starter's old man getting into the mix as well? I am a high school head coach, who's season just ended, so I have some time on my hands now. I just want to state that from what I have observed, this freshmen class is special, and they are paying their dues. But the investment made in each of them will pay dividends soon. Eight or so starting in DIAA football? And they are competitive in every conference game? They are a tight bunch, who believe in each other, even throughout the difficulties of this season. They are being refined as we speak.

[Sly Fox]

Welcome to the board! Everyone who cares about Liberty athletics is welcome. And if your son is playing for the Flames, you are caught in our web now.

I think we all agree on here that this freshman class is proving to be the strongest we've had in a couple of seasons. Its too bad more of them couldn't enjoy the luxury of redshirting. But they are now the core of what we'll basing everything on next fall.

Your son is one of the reasons we have hope for the future.

PS - We also need someone who knows football to keep these Pennsylvania guys in check. Penn State finally starts winning again and these guys think Pennsylvania is the center of the football universe. I grew up in Ohio myself.

[HarrisburgFlame]

welcome to the board. I coached D-III football for 6 years. Looking forward to some X's and O's talk. Hopefully we'll be putting together a tailgate for the Rutgers game next year (I'm in PA) - stop by and see us.

My take is we are still a little short on talent - especially up front. I think it's great the young kids are getting to play. The issue with many of us here is that we envisioned the program being further down the road than it is. As a coach you know sooner or later you get out of building mode and move into a program mode. No doubt we have great kids - but the clock is ticking on Coach K. I was squarely in his camp at the begining of the season - but even now I am waffling a bit. Changing coaches is not always the answer - but sooner or later you have to win a game or two.

welcome and I look forward to chatting with you!

[madmat79]

I hope that through the turmoil, the athletic department does what is necessary to not lose the youngsters in any shuffle. I think they(fr) are very committed, and there are close relationships with many of the coaches. They could benefit from a little pastoral care, if the future seems uncertain. These guys don't even have a semester of classes under their belt.

[HarrisburgFlame]

Attrition has been a problem. Playing college ball is a tough adjustment - classes, in-season demands, travel, off season conditioning - it's not for everyone. Then you don't get the results it takes special kids to hang in there. I coached in one good program and one bad program - it;s amazing how good talent makes you look like a good coach. I hope we can keep a good class together 4 years and continue to add talent. It just seems we have holes to fill every year that don't get filled. Sooner or later you have to keep the kids in the program and winning is a great remedy for attrition.

[madmat79]

Thanks for the welcome, I look forward to meeting you guys, and x and o-ing some too. I'm a triple option guy though, I like coming off the ball, instead of zone stepping all the time. The poppin' sound gets me excited, I guess. My family and I are going to Sat. game in Norfolk. Then bringing the boy home for Thanksgiving on Sunday. Any recommendations on good seafood places?

[Sly Fox]

Ed Dantes lives over that way. He should be able to offer up some dining suggestions.

Let's hope the players understand that if changes are made in the staff, it is because the school believes they can perform better with a change of scenery. Players sometimes leave during transition times. But Liberty is a unique experience in many regards.

I see plenty of the triple-option down here covering Rice. If executed properly, its nearly impossible to shutdown. But execution is not always a given.

[HarrisburgFlame]

I cam from the true run and shoot (UofH style SlyFox). But in the RnS we ran a true triple out of it. I also coached a team that ran the inside and outside veer. Love option football - you just have to be willing to sell your soul (can I say that on an LU board) to run it right.

welcome aboard coach!

[madmat79]

Sly, true about execution. We were pretty fortunate to have a 3 yr starter at Qb. He signs Wednesday with the Buckeyes as a shortstop. Gotta read the thing, and that takes experience/reps. Anyway, I'm glad there's another Ohio guy around, THE Holy Land of Football. Where in Ohio did you grow up?

[HarrisburgFlame]

I cam from the true run and shoot (UofH style SlyFox). But in the RnS we ran a true triple out of it. I also coached a team that ran the inside and outside veer. Love option football - you just have to be willing to sell your soul (can I say that on an LU board) to run it right.

welcome aboard coach!

[dale]

I love option football. Its all about execution and you have to have a disciplined team to do it well. I think that's why the service academies have done well with it, making up for a lack of talent with execution.

[Sly Fox]

I grew up primarily in Wheelersburg down on the Ohio River. But I consider the Eastside of Cincinnati my hometown.

I've lived down here in Texas for the past 15+ years covering some pretty intense high school football.

[madmat79]

Allow me to pose this question, although it has been raised before, I'm sure. You mention the service academies, and they have a niche carved out in college football, by which they utilize a special kind of athlete, who are being trained for something greater than playing ball. They are not the biggest or the fastest, but they are extremely intelligent and have exceptional character. Navy plays Notre Dame and loses 42-21, physically outmatched, yet gives the Irish as much as they want, and has the d scrambling. At Liberty, isn't there a similar scenario, in that this can be a place in which athletes who are not the biggest or fastest, but are of exceptional character and spiritual conviction. They can come and compete, and develop traits that make a difference in a broken world? And can't that be a draw to those special athletes who are looking for the right place to attend and compete. I say this, because a certain flame I know was offered by both the Naval Academy and by Liberty. We went through the recruiting process at both institutions, and there are some similarities.
My question is this, Is there an emphasis on being a warrior for Christ in the competive arena of college football, preparing young men to be something more,and is that a niche for recruitment?

[Sly Fox]

You think the same way I do, madmat79. I continue to believe that our distinctively Christian qualities are our best recruiting tool. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be a consensus either on this board or in our athletic department.

The similarities between LU and the academies are obvious. But as you mentioned, we can recruit kids from across the nation who wouldn't normally be associated with a I-AA program all the way in Virginia. Right now, unless the athletes come to us we don't really have a way to to find the prospects who would consider us. And despite our relatively high profile, many athletes who would love to play Division I athletics in a Christian environment don't know they have the option available to them. I feel we need to market ourselves using our network of hundreds of thousands of churches. But when I mention this, I'm generally written off as a whacko.

[HarrisburgFlame]

Not wacko at all. Liberty's uniqueness is what makes it special. we should have a national recruiting advantage given Dr. Falwell's reach. No matter where I go up here - when I have my LU gear on people always ask me "Hey isn't that Jerry Falwell's school" or "why are you guys called the Flames?". But we should use that advantage to recruit selectively on a national basis.

That said, our national appeal at times has worked against us in our own backyard. I grew up 20 minutes from campus. Went to LBC/LU B-ball games, baseball games, football games as a kid. Many people in Lynchburg wouldn't give LU the time of day - I think some are jealous of Jerry's success - Lynchburg can be clickish. So you fight the local support battle. LU also used it's national reach and missed on some local kids. coach Rutigliano didn't recruit kids from the area - high school coaches became indifferent to LU and they sent kids to JMU, W&M and Richmond. Again we created a negative perception locally. Local interest in the programs dwindled.

I like the idea of dominating the christian schools for talent - it's our angle and we should capitalize. But I also like the idea of becoming the 1-AA school of choice for Virginia kids. Bigsmooth put a staggering stat on the number of Virginia kids on JMU's national championship team - it was 58 or something like that. W&M was high too. Of course you recruit to your needs but you need to recruit in your own backyard with consistency and focus. Look at Fresno State - they started 22 California kids against Boise the other night. pat Hill only recruits CA - period. I'm not saying LU is in that position but we need to start to get the numbers up from VA.

But coach we can alos mix in some tough Ohio kids as well - pretty good brand of football up there. Glad your son is part of the team - wasn't hard to figure out who the proud papa's kid was! I have a 5 year old son into every sport there is. I 2 year old daughter that chases him around and another son who just turned one and today for the first time came walking into my office. made me very proud - I can identify with the proud parent thing. I am truly blessed!

[Sly Fox]

I think we may be even more attractive to Christian kids at public schools than kids who grew up with Christian schools their whole life. When you deal with the public school environment in high school, the Christian atmosphere at LU is particularly attractive. At least it was for me over two decades ago. I have to imagine it would be even more so today.

[HarrisburgFlame]

I think that is a fair point Sly. Things seem to be getting out of hand in some of the public schools. LU would provide a welcomed change for some I'm sure.

[madmat79]

I have discussed with the members of the current staff, the possibility of having a clinic of sorts put on at our church, and making the event one that discusses the relationships of competitive athletics and the walk of faith. I believe that an approach like this could garner opportunities to affect a larger range of christian athletes. In Ohio, most have only heard of Liberty as the place Sam coached after the Browns, or Jerry's school. I still don't know how or why the assistant coach who came to my school, did so, except that he said they wanted to expand their recruiting into Ohio, and that they got my kid's names off of some recruiting service. The presentation was excellent, and the asst. coach did impress us as to the unique nature of LU. We felt that we were being evaluated as a family unit, as well. Perhaps it was this approach, that helped to acquire such a good class of fb recruits. Now to keep them........

[PAmedic]

madmat79 said:

My question is this, Is there an emphasis on being a warrior for Christ in the competive arena of college football, preparing young men to be something more,and is that a niche for recruitment?

there certainly should be. That's the whole idea behind the Rock Royer memorial we were discussing w/ FLAMESHAW a while ago.

And SLY, we think you're a wacko for totally different reasons!

[PAmedic]

my whole point was that we won't/CAN'T do "what it takes" to win at a D1A level when that TYPE of action crosses the line or compromises our faith.
ya gotta attain it honestly/legitimately- that takes a great deal more effort and preparation.

ANYWAY- this thread was started to give props to one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal season- hang in there Brock!

the above deep, WORTHWHILE discussion on the motivational effect of one's faith on a football program should probably be continued in another thread.

[madmat79]

Isn't this discussion related to taking the QB and company of the present and working toward the future, in pursuit of a purpose that keeps them and grows them, filling in the "holes" that exist and the ones that may be opening up?