LIBERTY REPORT: Liberty-Stony Brook game blog

Thoughts on Liberty and Stony Brook as soon as I wrap my mind around UVa beating another quality opponent at home rather easily. (Cavs up 28-13 on ECU in the third as I type.)

* Linebacker Kyle O'Donnell, who has missed the entire season after undergoing surgery to repair the torn MCL in his right knee, practiced this week for the first time. He was dressed Wednesday, but I didn't see him doing much. Thursday, he was out there, but he was wearing the red, non-contact jersey. Liberty coach Danny Rocco said Thursday that O'Donnell was eager to play, but that the sophomore would be a game-time decision. O'Donnell is dressed and walking around on the field now. If he plays, I assume he wouldn't play much. O'Donnell won the starting job at Jack linebacker out of spring practice, but with O'Donnell out, Chad Brown has filled that role and filled it well.

* Kicker Matt Bevins injured his right ankle earlier this week. Rocco's thoughts on the matter:

"Our knucklehead kicker hurt his ankle walking down the steps, so I haven't spoken to him since Tuesday. He's afraid to go see the wolf. He's afraid to come see me."

Bevins is warming up here, but he'll be a game-time decision. If he can't go, Mike Larsson handles kickoffs and long field goals and Ben Shipps handles short field goals and extra points.

* A couple of minor depth-chart tweaks. The RB depth chart looks like this with Zach Terrell out:
1. Rashad Jennings
2. Danny Broggin
OR Aaron Hewlett

The HB depth chart:
1. B.J. Hayes
2. Mike Brown

Brown is also No. 2 at the Z receiver position behind Dominic Bolden.

* Wind could be a factor here today. There's a stiff, swirling breeze, so stiff in fact that the press box is rattling every once in a while.

* As usual, if you have any questions or comments during the game, post in the comments section or shoot me an e-mail at clang@newsadvance.com.

UPDATE: 3:32 p.m.

Just talked to defensive coordinator Tom Clark, and he said that O'Donnell will play linebacker in the nickel package today, so we'll see plenty of him on the field.

UPDATE: 4:56 p.m. -- Liberty 17, Stony Brook 0 (halftime)

* The Flames have been very businesslike in rolling to a 17-0 halftime lead. The defense hasn't allowed Stony Brook to get inside the Liberty 20 yet, and though there haven't been much in the way of spectacular plays, the Flames are handling the Seawolves with ease.

* Matt Bevins is not only kicking field goals, but he's punting, too. Not sure what's wrong with Mike Larsson, who is dressed but hasn't appeared. Ben Shipps has handled kickoffs.

* Kyle O'Donnell has been on the field in the nickel package.

* Pat Calvary was hurt early, but the cornerback returned in the second quarter.

* The stadium is mostly full, but there's very little buzz inside. Just kind of a ho-hum sort of game. Liberty should really be up by more, but it doesn't seem like Stony Brook has the pass game to make this competitive in the second half.