2009 was not a typical rebuilding year for LU

Fifteen players — all seniors — represented Liberty on the 2008 All-Big South football teams. Included in that group was a first-team FCS All-American, Rashad Jennings, a three-year starter at quarterback (Brock Smith), a four-year starter at center (Mike Godsil) and the team’s Mike linebacker (Nick Hursky).

So, in a big picture view, the Flames’ 8-3 season in 2009 has to be considered a rousing success. In a small picture view, Saturday’s loss at Stony Brook stings, for sure. Stony Brook claimed a share of the Big South title with that victory. But the fact that Liberty was even in the playoff conversation with a team that had to replace every skill player from a year ago speaks volumes about the strength and depth of the program.

Liberty has won 26 games in the last three seasons and for the first time in school history has won at least eight games in three straight years.

“I never wanted to say this was a rebuilding year,” Liberty coach Danny Rocco said. “I think it’s unfair to the seniors on the team. … But we had some real legitimate areas of concern.”

One was at quarterback, where Mike Brown — who was named Big South offensive player of the year Tuesday — split time with South Carolina transfer Tommy Beecher. Once that situation worked itself out, the rest of the offense followed. The Flames finished the regular season ranked third nationally in scoring offense, and accomplished that feat without a consistent threat at tailback.

That might seem like a concern now as the Flames head into the offseason, but in reality, Liberty has plenty of young talent at the position, including one player who never saw the field this season — former Heritage standout Korrey Davis.

Davis transferred in after one season at Massachusetts and has been a scout-team superstar this season. With Davis and former Brooke Point High School standout Chase Barnett ready to go, and with freshmen Aldreakis Allen and SirChauncey Holloway with a year under their belts, the Flames’ ground game will look strong heading into spring practice.

The same couldn’t be said heading into the spring of 2009. With Jennings gone, Danny Broggin was the first-team tailback. Though he saw some time at the position this season, Broggin’s strengths were apparent elsewhere, especially in the kick return game. Broggin and B.J. Hayes will both make position switches in the offseason, Broggin to safety and Hayes to receiver.

As for Brown, he’ll be the team’s starting quarterback next season. Rocco said it won’t be a situation like this year, where Beecher took 75 percent of the snaps at quarterback and Brown spent most of his time at receiver and Wildcat QB.

Tyler Brennan will get some time at quarterback, with Brown returning to his role as a receiver. But look for Brown to get the majority of time under center.

The experience of playing several positions this season can only help Brown.

“He has great understanding of the offense and everything that goes into making the passing game go,” Rocco said.

“I want to be able to run traditional offense with Mike in there. He’s got to hand the ball off. His versatility, though, will be hard to deal with. And his ability to make a play is the one element that could make us very dangerous.”

After Liberty beat Lafayette on the road in September, the question was posed to Rocco and his players: Has this team arrived early?

At times, it looked that way. At others, the Flames looked like the immature bunch one would expect considering how many freshmen and sophomores were key contributors. Several young players had breakout seasons, including Brown, cornerback KaJuan Lee, receiver Chris Summers, defensive tackle Asa Chapman and kicker Matt Bevins, all of whom are sophomores.

So the base is there as the Flames look forward to 2010. And the disappointment the team felt on Long Island last weekend can only help fuel the hunger of a team that has won at least a share of the last three conference championships.