Freeze educates Flames on what to expect in Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE — Liberty Coach Hugh Freeze spent a part of the Flames’ open date educating his gamers easy methods to name the Hogs.

Freeze has heard the College of Arkansas signature cheer many instances as Ole Miss’ head coach from 2012-16 and as a Rebels assistant from 2006-07, however he wished to get the Flames prepared for what they’ll be listening to after they play Arkansas at Reynolds Razorbacks Stadium at 3 p.m. Saturday.

“I attempt to clarify to them what I consider the stadiums that we’re going into. I don’t like our children ever being shocked or shocked,” Freeze mentioned. “I’ve a great feeling for what Arkansas will likely be like, and we’ll must deal with it.

“I confirmed them the way you do, ‘Woo, Pig, Sooie’ and ‘Arkansas Razorbacks’ and the way you’ve obtained to get into it,” Freeze added, elevating his fingers like a fan. “You’re going to listen to it loads, so that you’ve obtained to get into it and know what you’re speaking about.

“I believe the stadium and environment needs to be one which we glance to get pleasure from, not be intimidated by. I believe we’ll have a look at it that manner.”

Arkansas (5-3, 2-3) would be the Flames’ third SEC opponent.

In Liberty’s ultimate season as an FCS workforce in 2018 beneath Coach Turner Gill, the Flames misplaced 53-0 at Auburn.

Liberty moved as much as the FBS degree the subsequent season and employed Freeze. The Flames are 33-12 beneath Freeze, together with 7-1 this season with their solely loss at Wake Forest, 37-36.

Final season Freeze made his return to Ole Miss, which beat Liberty 27-14.

“We all know we’re going into an SEC stadium, however we strategy it like each single different sport,” mentioned Liberty security Robert Rahimi, who has 4 interceptions and 33 tackles. “We now have gamers right here that may play anyplace across the nation, and we’re constructed for this second.”

Senior nostril guard Dennis Osagiede transferred from FCS member Stephen F. Austin.

“It’s positively a blessing to be on huge phases and exit and compete,” Osagiede mentioned.

The Flames had an open date final week after beating BYU 41-14 at dwelling on Oct. 22, every week after the Razorbacks beat the Cougars 52-35 at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

“Our most well-played soccer sport,” Freeze mentioned. “In truth, we haven’t been very constant all yr, notably offensively. Defensively we’ve.

“However final week I assumed we performed a extremely, actually stable soccer sport in all three phases. So we’re going to wish that to construct some confidence in us to go and be capable to compete with the likes of Arkansas.

“However I do assume that we actually have loads of momentum proper now.”

Junior operating again Dae Dae Hunter, a switch from Hawaii, rushed 23 instances for 213 yards towards BYU. He has 121 carries for 825 yards and eight touchdowns, with 18 catches for 149 yards and 1 landing.

“He may have performed for me in my days at Ole Miss,” Freeze mentioned. “We didn’t have possibly the best operating backs within the convention at the moment, however he would have performed for me there.

“Bodily actually, actually sturdy … He’s not a blazer, however he’s obtained sufficient burst to make explosive runs.”

Junior quarterback Johnathan Bennett, who’s 4-0 because the starter, accomplished 24 of 29 passes towards BYU for 247 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Freeze mentioned he expects to begin Bennett on Saturday, however sixth-year senior Charlie Brewer, who has performed at Utah and Baylor, may additionally get snaps as he’s recovered from a hand harm he suffered within the opener towards Southern Mississippi.

Bennett has accomplished 77 of 134 passes (57.5%) for 939 yards and eight touchdowns with 7 interceptions.

The Flames’ high receiver is junior DeMario Douglas (42 catches for 615 yards and 5 touchdowns).

Junior linebacker Mike Smith leads Liberty with 52 tackles and has 1 interception, and sophomore linebacker Ahmad Walker has 47 with 8 for losses of 23 yards.

Javon Scruggs, a senior free security, has 37 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 interception.

Senior finish Durrell Johnson has 12 tackles for losses of 47 yards, 4 move breakups, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 interception and 1 pressured fumble. Osagiede has 6 sacks for losses of 45 yards.

The Flames are averaging 3.75 sacks to tie for third nationally, their 11 interceptions are tied for ninth and their 8.8 tackles for loss common ranks twelfth.

“We’ve amassed some stats up to now this yr,” Liberty defensive coordinator Josh Aldridge mentioned. “Attempting to not add these up till the season’s over. However they get talked about to me each week, so I can’t assist however know them.”

Regardless of not taking part in final week, the Flames moved into The Related Press Prime 25 at No. 23 for the primary time since 2020, after they have been ranked for eight weeks and completed No. 17 with a 10-1 report, together with victories over Syracuse and Virginia Tech.

The Flames weren’t a part of the primary School Soccer Playoff rankings launched Tuesday evening.

“I actually don’t use the rankings [as motivation] an excessive amount of within the season,” Freeze mentioned. “I get it. I’ve lived this life. At Ole Miss we have been ranked loads. Right here not a lot.

“However while you do, it’s fairly particular. So that you have a good time that, however you additionally higher be actual and know that, man, Arkansas goes to be favored this week.

“And they need to be. They’ve obtained higher gamers, and doubtless higher coaches.

“You’ll be able to simply get knocked out of the highest 25. The one which’s fairly gratifying is in case you can end the course of the 12-game season and put your self in place to be in it.”

Freeze has gotten his gamers to purchase into that message.

“It’s cool, however simply as fast because it comes, it will possibly go,” Osagiede mentioned of the rating. “We’re appreciative that we’re getting acknowledged, however the work isn’t achieved.

“We’ve obtained to battle day by day and work arduous day by day to get higher.”