50ish Names in 50 Days: Mike Brown
By Kyle Kensing
Few Flames burn as bright as Mike Brown. The Liberty senior has the rare distinction of boasting season bests in passing, rushing and receiving. In addition, has the even more rare of becoming a — to paraphrase Diamond Dallas Page — two-time, two-time, two-time Big South Player of the Year. It’s important to note Brown achieved his double-dip at two positions.
You see, the current Liberty quarterback took on receiver duties in 2009, acquiesing playcaller duties to South Carolina transfer Tommy Beecher. Liberty head coach said in an interview last season that Brown’s willingness to change positions was a testament to his team commitment. That Brown excelled in his wideout duties, then transitioned back to No. 1 quarterback in 2010 with nary a beat missed exemplifies just how special a talent he is. Sunday games are in his future. But what about NCAA Playoff games?
The Flames boast an impressive 16-6 overall record the last two seasons, and are 10-2 against Big South competition. Only last season though did the conference have an automatic bid for its champion. After losing out on an at-large opportunity in 2009, the result of a 36-33 season finale heartbreaker at Stony Brook, Liberty finished in a three-way tie for the league crown.
Coastal Carolina claimed the tiebreaker, courtesy of a 45-31 defeat of the Flames.
Brown’s lofty statistics included 23 passing and nine rushing touchdowns, 2956 aerial yards on 63.5 percent completions and 854 yards via the rush.
Top target and perhaps the best wide receiver in all of the FCS Chris Summers returns alongside Brown. That’s a connection Big South defensive coordinators will disdain more than Gotham criminals do Batman and Robin.
Brown has the opportunity to introduce himself to a national audience immediately, facing NC State in Week 1. ACC members have been prone to dropping FBS-FCS encounters, and the Wolf Pack were in the lower half of pass defenses a season ago.
Win or lose the debut, Liberty will enter FCS competition the Big South favorite. Brown is the chief reason why, and the spectacular dual-threat quarterback will assuredly be in contention for the Walter Payton Award. The hurdle he must lead Liberty over is securing that elusive playoff berth.