Opponent Preview: What to know about Boston College

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November is a month that continuously plagued Syracuse throughout the Dino Babers era. In its first November game under first-year head coach Fran Brown, it looked like SU’s woes in the month would continue as it trailed 14-3 at halftime versus Virginia Tech.

Then, the Orange’s offense exploded, scoring 28 points in the second half to force overtime. There, running back LeQuint Allen Jr. scored his third touchdown of the game before Marlowe Wax forced a game-sealing fumble that Fadil Diggs recovered. The win was SU’s largest comeback victory since 2012 and clinched it a third consecutive bowl appearance.

Looking to win its second in a row, SU travels to Alumni Stadium to face Boston College. It’s the first of two conference road games for the Orange, as they’ll travel across the country to face California next week.

Here’s everything you need to know before Syracuse (6-2, 3-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) faces Boston College (4-4, 1-3 ACC):

All-time series

Syracuse leads 34-23.

Last time they played …

Following four straight losses, with the final three coming on the road, SU returned to the JMA Wireless Dome to host Boston College on Nov. 3, 2023. During the Orange’s most recent loss to Virginia Tech, starting quarterback Garrett Shrader suffered an injury.

This forced him to miss the contest versus the Eagles, moving backup Carlos Del Rio-Wilson into the starting role. En route to throwing four interceptions, Del Rio-Wilson was picked off on Syracuse’s first drive. The interception led to BC getting on the board first with a field goal. Del Rio-Wilson effectively used his legs later in the first quarter, scoring on a 27-yard run, but it was the Orange’s only touchdown.

Boston College commanded a 10-7 lead at halftime, but SU tied the game 10-10 early in the fourth quarter with a field goal. However, BC regained a 17-10 lead toward the end of the quarter, and Del Rio-Wilson threw a game-sealing interception in the two-minute drill. He finished with 37 passing yards.

The Eagles report

Helmed by veteran coach Bill O’Brien, who was the Houston Texans’ head coach from 2016-20, BC had an immaculate start to 2024. The Eagles defeated then-No. 10 Florida State 28-13 on the road in their season opener before blowing out Duquesne 56-0.

They were ranked No. 24 in the AP Top 25 Poll heading into Week 3, though a narrow loss to then-No. 6 Missouri on the road knocked them out of the rankings. Boston College then bounced back with consecutive wins, including a 21-20 victory over Western Kentucky with Castellanos sidelined due to injury. While Castellanos is back healthy, BC has collapsed in conference play, losing its last three games to Virginia, Virginia Tech and Louisville.

Unlike the Orange’s pass-centric approach, the Eagles drop back to pass just 46.4% of the time. Castellanos has thrown 154 pass attempts, but BC is typically spearheaded by its running back trio of Treshaun Ward, Kye Robichaux and Turbo Richard — who have combined for 913 yards on 192 carries.

Defensively, Boston College is among the best teams in the ACC. BC’s 88.1 Pro Football Focus defensive grade is the fifth-best in the conference and ranks 34th among 134 Football Bowl Subdivision teams. The Eagles are led by Donovan Ezeiruaku, whose nine sacks are the second-most in the ACC.

How Syracuse beats Boston College

A key for SU to win its second consecutive game is getting off to a fast start. Across their last three games, the Orange have scored a combined three points in the first quarter. Though Syracuse won two of those three matchups, it averaged just 25 points per game.

When SU scored 42 points versus Holy Cross and a season-high 44 against UNLV, it scored two touchdowns in the first quarter each time. Meanwhile, it scored a combined seven first-quarter points to open the season against Ohio, Georgia Tech and Stanford.

Kyle McCord and Co. setting the tone early versus the Eagles would go a long way toward pulling off a road victory.

Cole Ross | Digital Design Director

Stat to know: 33

Syracuse ran the ball 33 times in its overtime win over VT, tied for its most against a Power Four opponent. Meanwhile, McCord’s 35 passing attempts were his fewest in a game this season. This came on the heels of the signal caller throwing a career-high five interceptions, including three pick-sixes, in SU’s blowout loss to Pitt.

As a result, Allen Jr. notched a season-high 121 rushing yards and three touchdowns. On Tuesday, McCord said he felt it was the first time all season the Orange consistently ran the ball at a good rate, and it helped the passing game open more windows.

Player to watch: Donovan Ezeiruaku, defensive end, No. 6

Nearly 20 miles away from Camden, New Jersey — where Brown grew up — Ezeiruaku starred in Williamstown before arriving at Boston College in 2021. After playing in a reserve role as a freshman, the defensive end emerged as a sophomore, earning an All-ACC Second-Team selection. He led the Eagles with 8.5 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles.

Though he took a step back in 2023, Ezeiruaku registered a 78.0 PFF defensive grade; he had an 83.1 mark in 2022. As a senior, Ezeiruaku has emerged as one of the best defenders in the country. Beyond his nine sacks, he has thrived as a tackler, notching 55 total tackles — five off from his career-high 61 in 2022. Ezeiruaku’s 84.0 PFF tackling grade is a career-best by nearly 20 points. Meanwhile, his 84.3 PFF pass-rush grade is also a career-best. He leads the conference in tackles for loss at 12.0 eight games into 2024.

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