Written by - Brett Korpi
The Boston College Eagles were able to let out a sigh of relief early Saturday morning, when just past midnight the Northern Illinois Huskies attempt to tie the game clanged off the goal post. Head coach Steve Addazio and his team left DeKalb, Ill., with a season opening 23-20 victory and at 1-0 record.
Just minutes before the game was about to start, it was finally announced that the Eagles would be starting redshirt-freshman Anthony Brown at quarterback. What we saw was an offense that showed potential, but that there would be growing pains with the young signal caller at the helm.
Brown, who is just the second freshman to start the season at quarterback for Boston College, the first since Justin Tuggle in 2009, finished the game 26-for-42 with 191 passing yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
It was and up-and-down game as Brown often over-threw receivers and had the interception on the team’s second drive. However, Brown was able to showcase the rapport he has built with fellow redshirt-freshman Kobay White. White caught six passes for 76 yards. Mike Walker, who was the team’s leading receiver last year, had eight catches, 50 yards, and a touchdown. Tight end Ray Marten also had a touchdown for the Eagles.
The Eagles ran an up-tempo offense that saw the team accumulate 92 plays. For reference, Baylor who led the nation in plays run last year, average 88 per game.
Any ability to pass is predicated on the team being able to run the football. The Eagles struggled at times as starter Jon Hilliman ran for 77 yards on 25 carries. But, were able to make use of their speedy wide receivers on the ground through end-arounds and jet sweeps. Thadd Smith had six carries for 56 yards for an average of 9.6 yards per carry, while Jeff Smith had 26 yards on three carries. True-freshman running back A.J. Dillon finished the with 20 yards on five touches.
The stout Boston College defense that annually is ranked amongst the best in the country, looked dominant most of the time. They held they held NIU to just 2-of-15 on third down conversions. However, the unit that features the country’s sack leader from last season, senior defensive end Harold Landry, was unable to bring NIU quarterback Ryan Graham down in the backfield accumulating zero sacks and just two tackles for loss.
The defense was led in tackles by Junior defensive back Will Harris who collected a career high of 10. Junior defensive end Zach Allen also had career high 9 tackles. Defensive back and senior captain Kam Moore and Landry each had six.
Junior safety Lukas Denis had three big plays for the Eagles knocking down two passes in the end zone and had an interception.
Junior kicker Colton Lichtenberg had a career high three field goals. None more important his 37-yard game winner with 2:13 left to play.
Boston College will host Wake Forest at 1:00 pm on Saturday, September 9th, at Alumni Stadium, in their home opener.
Just minutes before the game was about to start, it was finally announced that the Eagles would be starting redshirt-freshman Anthony Brown at quarterback. What we saw was an offense that showed potential, but that there would be growing pains with the young signal caller at the helm.
Brown, who is just the second freshman to start the season at quarterback for Boston College, the first since Justin Tuggle in 2009, finished the game 26-for-42 with 191 passing yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
It was and up-and-down game as Brown often over-threw receivers and had the interception on the team’s second drive. However, Brown was able to showcase the rapport he has built with fellow redshirt-freshman Kobay White. White caught six passes for 76 yards. Mike Walker, who was the team’s leading receiver last year, had eight catches, 50 yards, and a touchdown. Tight end Ray Marten also had a touchdown for the Eagles.
The Eagles ran an up-tempo offense that saw the team accumulate 92 plays. For reference, Baylor who led the nation in plays run last year, average 88 per game.
Any ability to pass is predicated on the team being able to run the football. The Eagles struggled at times as starter Jon Hilliman ran for 77 yards on 25 carries. But, were able to make use of their speedy wide receivers on the ground through end-arounds and jet sweeps. Thadd Smith had six carries for 56 yards for an average of 9.6 yards per carry, while Jeff Smith had 26 yards on three carries. True-freshman running back A.J. Dillon finished the with 20 yards on five touches.
The stout Boston College defense that annually is ranked amongst the best in the country, looked dominant most of the time. They held they held NIU to just 2-of-15 on third down conversions. However, the unit that features the country’s sack leader from last season, senior defensive end Harold Landry, was unable to bring NIU quarterback Ryan Graham down in the backfield accumulating zero sacks and just two tackles for loss.
The defense was led in tackles by Junior defensive back Will Harris who collected a career high of 10. Junior defensive end Zach Allen also had career high 9 tackles. Defensive back and senior captain Kam Moore and Landry each had six.
Junior safety Lukas Denis had three big plays for the Eagles knocking down two passes in the end zone and had an interception.
Junior kicker Colton Lichtenberg had a career high three field goals. None more important his 37-yard game winner with 2:13 left to play.
Boston College will host Wake Forest at 1:00 pm on Saturday, September 9th, at Alumni Stadium, in their home opener.