LIBERTY REPORT: Liberty-Elon game blog

It's cold at Williams Stadium today for today's Elon-Liberty showdown. Not quite as cold as it was last night on the field for Gretna, but cold indeed. If you're making it out for the game today, bundle up. The wind is whipping around in here pretty good.

Pre-game thoughts:

1. The Flames are playing with heavy hearts today after learning of the death of former LU tailback Shay Nicholson, who was shot in Harrisonburg several weeks ago. Liberty receiver Mike Brown, who normally wears No. 10, will wear Nicholson's old No. 22 jersey instead. Brown and Nicholson were close friends who redshirted together last season at Liberty. The rest of the team will have a No. 22 decal on their helmets.

2. Pretty much everyone who is remotely healthy will play today for the Flames. NG Colin Dugan has been nursing a left ankle injury for the last couple of weeks, but I imagine it would take a lot more than that to keep the senior off the field today.

3. The worst part of today's game? Someone is going to leave this field crushed. Both teams have a ton on the line, and I'd be stunned if either team came out flat.

4. Elon spent one year in the Big South in 2002 before moving to the Southern Conference.

5. Liberty is ranked 13th nationally in average home attendance (14,046). But if more than 7,000 are on hand today, I'd be stunned. The school promoted the heck out of this game to the community, offering ticket deals and making a push in local elementary schools to get fans out. It's a shame that the school's students aren't willing to put Thanksgiving break off by one day. It's not too often you see two Top 25 teams battling it out in Lynchburg.

5a. In fact, the last matchup between Top 25 teams at Williams Stadium was 1997, when No. 21 Hofstra beat No. 19 Liberty 40-27.

6. Dominic Bolden really hasn't had a solid look at a punt return since maybe Week 4. Opponents have been doing a tremendous job negating him as a factor.

7. One minor depth-chart change today, as Wes Cheek moves to No. 1 at weakside linebacker, replacing Pat Bannon. Jamal Giddens will back up Ian Childress at strongside linebacker.

8. Keys to victory for Liberty:

8a. Tackle well at the line of scrimmage.

8b. Establish the run game early and chew up clock.

8c. Make Scott Riddle uncomfortable. If the Elon quarterback has time to sit in the pocket and make three or four reads on every play, Liberty's going to be in for a very long day.

I'll be back with more as the game goes along ... not much in the way of deadline pressure today. As always, post a comment or e-mail me at clang@newsadvance.com if you have questions.

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UPDATE, Liberty 13, Elon 3, halftime

1. Rashad Jennings just doesn't look right. Not sure if he got hit in the head again or if he's been injured in some other way, but the medical staff has been on him like a hawk on the sideline. He has eight carries for 24 yards in the first half. Zach Terrell has filled in some. It's been all Brock Smith for the Flames offense in the first half.

2. Elon's Josh Jones went down just before halftime with what appeared to be a leg injury. Jones is one of the best freshmen in the Southern Conference and is the Phoenix's best run stopper.

3. Funny I mentioned the punt return thing earlier ... as Dominic Bolden finds a seam and breaks 74 yards for the game's only touchdown on a punt return. It was somewhat comical to watch Elon's punter, who is 6-5, 255, trying to run after the speedy Bolden.

4. Announced attendance: 7,757.

5. Liberty has played defense in the first half at a higher level than it has at any point this year, even in the shutout wins over Charleston Southern and Stony Brook.

5a. Ian Childress has been a monster in stopping the run on the outside.

6. Elon will get the ball to start the second half. If the Flames can get another stop, it would make a statement that this will continue to be a difficult afternoon for the Phoenix offense.

UPDATE ... Liberty 16, Elon 3 (3:20 left, third quarter)

Liberty's defense showed signs of cracking for the first time, but the Flames come up with two huge plays. Nick Hursky wrapped up Terrell Hudgins to hold him to a 1-yard gain, forcing Elon to try a 28-yard field goal. But Trey Jacobs got up on the line and blocked the kick, sending it careening out of bounds.

UPDATE: 0:58 left in third quarter.

Richmond and New Hampshire both won. Good results for Liberty.

Liberty's Dominic Bolden just made a 41-yard reception to move Liberty to the Elon 14, but Bolden's knee buckled as he was falling out of bounds. He's still down and LU's athletic trainers are looking him over. Danny Rocco is over there too. Doesn't look good.

Bolden is going straight to the locker room as two trainers helped him off the field.

UPDATE: 19-3 Liberty, 5:34 left

Flames get a critical fourth-down stop, and the crowd at Williams Stadium is chanting "we want playoffs!" I'll have more after the game. Need to head to the field.