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Written by Erik Slaby
(Raleigh, NC) - a cool, sunny afternoon here in Raleigh, at Carter-Finley Stadium, the North Carolina State University Wolfpack lost 21-14, to the Boston College Eagles. This loss now gives NC State a 4-4 record on the season and a 1-3 record in the Atlantic Coast Conference. This win by Boston College ends their 12 game losing streak of ACC games. NC State had the lead late into the fourth quarter, when they blew the lead but they still had an opportunity to win the game late and were still unable to close the deal.
With roughly nine minutes left in the game, NC State led Boston College 14-13, when Boston College started their drive. Boston College quarterback Patrick Towles was able to lead the offense down the field in a slow, effective touchdown drive. It was highlighted by two pass plays over 20 yards and the touchdown. On Boston College’s second play of the drive, Towles completed a 21 yard pass to tight end Tommy Sweeney to move the Eagles to their own 40 yard line. After a few running plays and holding penalty, Boston College was facing a second down, with 20 yards to go on the NC State 39 yard line. Towles stepped and launched a dart to wide receiver Michael Walker for 25 yards to put Boston College in even better field position and moved the chains. On the very next play, Towles faked a quarterback keeper and handed the ball off to running back Davon Jones who threw the ball to Sweeney in the end zone for a touchdown. Boston College then converted a two-point conversion on a pass from Towles to Sweeney. At this point, Boston College led 21-14. NC State head coach Dave Doeren spoke after the game about the trick play for a touchdown. “Defensively, I thought we played pretty well until the last halfback pass play where we had a bust in coverage, a guy playing over aggressive in the run game and trying to make a play.” Doeren also added that when “you give up a play on a trick play where our eyes were bad,” there are always areas within the game that the team needs to improve upon. Even though NC State allowed Boston College to take the lead, they still had a chance to win the game. From the kickoff on, it looked like NC State would be able to drive down the field and get the win. Wide receiver Nyheim Hines returned the kickoff 56 yards to give NC State great field position at the Boston College 42 yard line. On the very next play, quarterback Ryan Finley completed a 32 yard strike to Hines to give the team first and goal on the 10 yard line. NC State struggled to run the ball for the majority of this game so when they got down to the 10 yard line, on their first two plays, they ran the ball for a total of four yards. Not a bad idea, but given the way the Boston College defense had been playing against the run, a pass may have been a better option. On third down, Finley attempted a pass and it was incomplete but there was pass interference by Boston College, which then moved the ball to their two yard line. On the next two plays NC State running back Matt Dayes lost a yard and carried the ball for no gain. On third down, from the Boston College three yard line, Finley badly underthrew a pass in the end zone where it was intercepted by defensive back Kamrin Moore. Thereby ending any chance NC State had for a comeback. Offensively, NC State was led by Finley who completed 23 of 41 passes, for 307 yards, two touchdowns but also two interceptions. For the second game in a row, NC State struggled to run the ball. Last week against Louisville, their net rushing yardage was 14. Against Boston College, their net yardage running the ball was 31. Coach Doeren spoke after the game about the performance of the running game. “I’m disappointed obviously. I take pride in being able to run the football, and that’s two games in a row where we haven’t been able to do that so we’ve gotta look at what we’re doing first. Why it’s not working out as well as we think it should, and look at some things we can do to block things better, format things to help them in the run game.” When asked about what kind of effect that this lackluster running game can have on Finley, Doeren stated, “When you can’t run the football, which we haven’t be able to for two weeks, it turns into a pretty one-dimensional offense and it’s hard on a quarterback.” Boston College was led by Towles, who finished the game completing 18 of 33 passes for 204 yards and an interception. He also had 13 rushing yards. Running back Jon Hillman and wide receiver Jeff Smith combined for 25 carries, for 124 yards and one touchdown. Smith may have had the highlight of the night when he took a wide receiver end-around and sprinted down the field for a 60 yard touchdown. Boston College head coach Steve Addazio spoke after the game about the team. “I’m proud of our football program. I’m proud of our football players and team. They played with unbelievable resolve and took a step forward in learning how to bring out the best of each other.” Next week, NC State is back at home, but they face a much tougher opponent then they did today, in Florida State. They have a high powered offense and a much improved defense than how they performed earlier this season. NC State will need to get back on track offensively in being able to run the ball, as well as defensively in being able to stop the run, or they will have a very difficult time against a very talented Florida State team.
Written By: Brett Korpi
(Chestnut Hill, MA) Sad news out of Boston College. Former Boston College Eagles and Tampa Bay Storm defensive lineman, Max Holloway, passed away earlier Thursday morning in an automobile accident in Lutz, Florida. He was 26 years old.
Holloway, was a member of the Eagles from 2009-11. In his final season with the team, he was fourth in tackles with 47. He declared early for the NFL Draft after completing his degree. He played for the Storm in 2013. “We are all shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic news,” Boston College head coach Steve Addazio said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Max’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.” Holloway, is the son of three-time NFL Pro Bowl offensive lineman, Brian Holloway. The senior Holloway played 10 seasons with the New England Patriots and Oakland Raiders. Prayers go out to the family and friends of Max Holloway.
Written By: Erik Slaby
(Orlando, FL) This Saturday, 12:00 p.m. ET, the North Carolina State University Wolfpack (4-3), coming off a blowout loss on the road to their inter-conference opponent, University of Louisville Cardinals, return home to Carter-Finley Stadium, to take on inter-conference opponent, Boston College (3-4), led by fourth year head coach Steve Addazio.
Last week, NC State suffered a massive loss to the nationally ranked 5th Louisville Cardinals, 54-13. This loss was a week after NC State had lost a close game in overtime to nationally ranked 3rd Clemson, 24-17. With this loss to Louisville, any moral victory, or positivity created from the close loss to Clemson, may have disappeared. Heading into the Louisville game, it was thought that NC State could potentially make it a tough game. Early on for NC State, it was clear that it may be a rough day for them. On the first play of the game, NC State quarterback Ryan Finley was intercepted by Louisville defensive back Trumaine Washington and he returned the ball 13 yards to the NC State 29 yard line to set Louisville up in great field position to score. On the next seven offensive series in the first half for NC State, they turned the ball over twice on interceptions and they were forced to punt five times. One of those punts was also blocked. By halftime, Louisville was up 44-0. Finley had completed 5 of 10 passes for 44 yards and two interceptions. NC State head coach Dave Doeren spoke after the game about the performance of the team. “They played a really good game, and we didn’t,” Doeren said. "We (the team) weren't ready to play today and that's on me. It was not our best against their best. When you turn the ball over, you're going to look bad. When you give up long plays, you are not going to look good. ... That wasn't the team we played with seven days ago (against Clemson)." Offensively, NC State was able to score two touchdowns in the second half but it was not enough. Finley led NC State completing 16 of 33 passes for 236 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. NC State struggled to run the ball and by the end of the game, as a team, they had rushed for only 14 yards. NC State will need to play a much better game than they did last week. Boston College is ranked 7th overall in the country in total defense. They are an experienced defense that plays well. The only games they have struggled this year were against Clemson and Virginia Tech, two high-powered offenses. If NC State doesn’t rebound offensively and play better, it will be a very difficult game for them. Against Boston College, NC State will need to keep an eye out for defensive lineman Harold Landry who leads the team in sacks with eight. They will also have to watch out for linebacker Ty Schwab who leads the team in tackles with 42. Linebacker Matt Milano will also be a player to follow as he is 3rd on the team in tackles with 36, and tied for second in sacks with four. Boston College is coming off of a close 28-20 loss to Syracuse. That loss now gives Boston College a 0-4 record in the Atlantic Coast Conference this season and their 12 straight ACC loss, dating back to last season. Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey was able to move the ball up and down the field but the Boston College defense was able to keep the game close. Dungey led the way for Syracuse, completing 32 of 38 passes for 434 yards, three touchdown and one interception. The defense also held the Syracuse to 98 yards rushing. Offensively, Boston College was led by quarterback Patrick Towles who had 10 carries for 104 yards and one touchdown. He struggled passing the ball though as he only completed four of 14 passes for 14 yards and one interception. He injured his hamstring during the game so it will be interesting to see if he starts against NC State this week, or if backup quarterback Darius Wade will start. Against the NC State defense, Boston College will need to keep an eye out for defensive back Josh Jones as he leads the team in tackles with 63. He also leads the team in pass breakups with six. Boston College will also have to watch out for defensive lineman Bradley Chubb who leads the team in sacks with six. NC State’s defense may not be as good as Boston College’s defense is but they are looking to rebound from the loss to Louisville. As shown before in the Clemson game earlier this year, they have the ability to play well and keep games close to give their offense a chance. In the series between these two teams, Boston College leads it all-time 8-5. However, last year when they played each other, NC State won that game. This game represents a potential turning point for both teams. If NC State wins this game, they move one step closer to being bowl eligible and remove themselves from the two game losing streak they’ve been in. If Boston College wins, it will be a big win for the program because they’ve lost 12 straight conference, they would also end their two game losing streak this season and bring their record to 4-4. The key to this game will be the performance of both offenses. Both teams have played fairly well defensively but they will need play well offensively. NC State has the stronger offense so if they’re able to rebound from last week, they will likely win this game. It’s easier said than done against this Boston College defense though. In any case, this should be a tough, close game this Saturday in Raleigh.
Written by Brett Korpi
Chestnut Hill, MA – On a wet fall afternoon, during homecoming weekend, the Boston College Eagles let a conference victory slip through their fingers against their rival, the Syracuse Orange. The loss puts the Eagles record at 3-4 and 0-4 in the ACC. It was their 12th ACC loss in row.
The Eagles missed opportunities began early in the first quarter. Defensive back Will Harris intercepted Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey and ran it back 60 yards into Orange territory. At the end of the play, there was some extracurricular action and flags were thrown. A personal foul against Syracuse gave the ball to the Eagles in the red zone. They were unable to capitalize and settled for a Mike Knoll field goal. Syracuse (4-4, 2-2) answered with two touchdowns as Dungey, who had 434 yards passing and three touchdowns, connected with receiver Ervin Phillips twice. Once a backward pass for a three yard rushing touchdown and again for a 10 yard strike that Phillips made a spectacular play to keep his foot in the end zone. Myles Willis would respond with an 89-yard kick return for a touchdown, to reduce the Eagles’ deficit to 14-10 to end the first half. Halfway through the third quarter the Eagles were in the red zone when they missed their next opportunity when Mike Wallace was unable to hang on to quarterback Patrick Towles’s pass and it popped into the waiting hands of Orange linebacker Paris Bennett, spoiling the drive. Syracuse would capitalize when Dungey would connect with wide receiver Steven Ishmael for a 11-yard touchdown. Boston College would come back to make it 21-17 on the second play from scrimmage when Towles play faked and took off for a 75-yard touchdown. The play ended up hurting the Eagles though as Towles would pull his hamstring and after attempting to play, he would eventually sit out the rest of the game. After three and out, the Eagles were in prime position to take over the game in the fourth quarter. Backup quarterback Darius Wade and running back Davon Jones, who made his first career start and had 66 yards on 14 carries, led the Eagles down the field. But unable to accurately get a passing game going, the Eagles were forced to kick a field goal to make it a one-point game at 21-20. However, Dungey would strike again hitting wide receiver Amba Etta-Tawo, who had 10 catches for 144 yards, for 68 yards to give the Orangemen a lead they wouldn’t relinquish, even though they gave Boston College another chance to get back into the game. With 7 minutes left in the game, Dungey would fumble when hit by defensive end Wyatt Ray. The Eagles would continue to have trouble moving the ball through the air and their chances would officially end when Wade would overthrow wide receiver Charlie Calinan in the end zone. The Eagles will try to get the ACC monkey off their back when they travel to face off against N.C. State next week.
Written by Brett Korpi
Where: Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
When: 12:30 p.m. Saturday, October 22, 2016 After a week off, the Boston College Eagles (3-3, 0-3 ACC) will open the second half of their season with their homecoming game against longtime rival, the Syracuse Orange (3-4, 1-2). It will be the 50th meeting between the two schools. Syracuse has had the advantage in the series with 30 wins to 19 losses. Syracuse enters the game coming off a 31 - 17 upset win over Virginia Tech at home. While the Eagles got rolled by Clemson 56 - 10. Let's take a look at the questions alumni will be pondering as they return to the Heights for the festivities. How would you describe the first half of the Eagles season? As Dennis Green once said,"They are what we thought they were." The Eagles have beaten up on teams that they should beat, and lost to teams that are more talented. Georgia Tech being the exception. They should have picked up the win in Ireland but they let the Yellow Jackets off the hook. That being said, the season thus far has to be a disappointment. You want to see improvement and that has just not happened against good teams. They have been defeated at home and on the road by the top echelon of the ACC. Now, you may say they can be forgiven for that, however, other ACC teams have not looked as bad as the Eagles did against Clemson. The Eagles are hosting Syracuse this week, who just won convincingly against Virginia Tech. The Eagles need to be able to compete in the conference and as they stand right now, they cannot. They have lost 11 conference games in a row. What do you want to see from them in the second half of the season? As they stand at 3-3, they still have a chance at a bowl bid. However, over the course of the final six games they have to start thinking about the future. Quarterback Patrick Towles is a graduate transfer and will be gone after this year. Head Coach Steve Addazzio needs to figure out what he has in Darius Wade. The offense has not looked good as a whole under Towles, and unless he plans on bringing in a transfer every year, Addazzio has to start thinking about the future. Especially if he plans on being here for awhile. It will also be interesting to see the continued emergence of red-shirt freshman running back Davon Jones. He has basically been splitting carries with running back Jon Hilliman most of the season and at times, has looked like the most explosive player on the field. Now, what can we expect from the Orange? Offense. Syracuse is ranked 26th in total offense nationally and is led by quarterback Eric Dungey. He has thrown for over 2,000 yards and 12 touchdowns, with another six touchdowns on the ground. Wide receivers Amba Etta-Tawo and Ervin Philips are Dungey's top targets, combining for over 1,500 recieving yards and 10 touchdowns. Since Syracuse has a potent offense, does that mean the Eagles defense will struggle? Good question, the Eagles have struggled against good offenses and have dominated poor offenses. It has been the defensive backs who have struggled the most as well. We saw against both Virginia Tech and Clemson that the defensive backs were getting burnt on a consistent basis and there were plenty of blown overages. So it is a cause for concern, given that Syracuse's strength is their passing attack. What your prediction for this one? Based strictly on what I have seen this year, I have to go with Syracuse winning, 34-17. The Eagles defense struggles against aerial attacks and Syracuse has the momentum coming off the big victory last week. Weekly Fun Fact Former Eagle great and current NFL star linebacker Luke Kuechly will have his number retired during a half time ceremony. Kuechly is the most decorated defensive player in Boston College football history. He swept every major postseason award, including the Dick Butkus Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Award and Lombardi Award. He was a two-time first-team All-American and led the nation in total tackles in both his sophomore and junior seasons. He also registered a school-record 532 tackles in just three seasons. Following his junior season he was selected ninth overall by the Carolina Panthers. He continued his dominance in the NFL, being named 2012 Defensive Rookie of the Year and 2013 Defensive Player of the Year. He has registered at least 100 tackles in each of his four seasons and has been named to the Pro Bowl three times.
Written by Brett Korpi
(Chestnut Hill, MA) Big news out of Chestnut Hill today, as Boston College announces a future home - and - home series against Missouri . The Eagles will host the Tigers in September 2021, and travel down to the Columbia, Missouri in 2024.
The games will be Boston College's first against the Southeastern Conference since losing to Vanderbilt in the 2008 Champs Sports Bowl, 16 to 14. The Eagles hold and all time record against the SEC of 10 - 17 - 1. Missouri is the latest Power 5 conference opponent to be added to future schedules for Boston College. Over the next 13 years the Eagles will face perennial powers such as Ohio State, Stanford, and Notre Dame. With games also scheduled against Purdue and Temple.
Written By: Brett Korpi
Chestnut Hill – No. 3 Clemson Tigers (6-0, 3-0 ACC) traveled up to Boston College for a nationally televised game under the lights and brought a sold-out crowd with them. In front of a sea of orange the Tigers piled on a 56 – 10 victory over the Eagles (3-3, 0-3).
The Eagles looked to have a chance early when they forced Clemson three and out to start the game, followed by a Tiger who muffed a punt in the 1st quarter. The Eagles senior DB John Johnson was able to grab the muffed punt at the 5 - yard line giving the Eagles stellar field position and the chance to jump to a 7-0 lead. However, they were not able to break the goal line, getting stuffed on 2 runs and a pass thrown out of the end zone, which seemed to be the trend for the Eagles throughout the game. They settled for a Mike Knoll field goal and had a 3 to 0 lead over the College Football Playoff contender. The Tigers answered as Wayne Galliman broke free of a tackle and hustled to a 59-yard score on his way to his record tying 15th career 100-yard game. Clemson would add two more scores in the first quarter, as Heisman candidate Deshaun Watson would connect of Mike Williams and Jordan Leggett for scores of 9 and 50 yards. Watson continued to dazzle the crowd on a night that he threw for 266 yards and 4 touchdowns. Leading up to the 9-yard strike to Williams, the two paired up on a 50-yard pass that saw Williams layout beautifully to snag the ball at the 5-yard line. The big plays and elusiveness were too much to handle for the Eagles defense that had been used to dominating lesser opponents. The Tigers totaled 499 yards only the second opponent this year to put up over 400. On offense the miscues would continue despite leading in time of possession, the Eagles could not get out of their own way. This was highlighted before the half with a chance to make it 21-10 at the Tiger goal line; Boston College received two chances to score on 4th and inches due to a Clemson penalty. They botched both snaps, and the Tigers would take over on downs. The Eagles will a have a bye week next week to try to clean up their mistakes, and then they host Syracuse in another ACC contest. |
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