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CHESTNUT HILL — Boston College lined up for a crucial fourth-and-1 on Syracuse’s 18-yard line with a 30-28 lead and less than seven minutes remaining. The Eagles had dominated SU with 45 rushing attempts.
So as the ball was snapped with BC in a jumbo formation, the Orange’s defense crashed toward the line of scrimmage anticipating another run. But they were wrong.
Instead of handing the ball off, quarterback Grayson James — who replaced starter Thomas Castellanos in the third quarter due to injury — pulled the ball out of running back Kye Robichaux’s arms. Tight end Jeremiah Franklin slipped down the seam with nothing but the end zone in front of him. All James had to do was get the ball there. With a clean pocket, he did.
Franklin’s 18-yard touchdown reception all but sealed Boston College’s (5-4, 2-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) 37-31 win over Syracuse (6-3, 3-3 ACC). Though it was BC’s running game carrying it throughout the game, as its 313 rushing yards were the most the Orange have allowed in a game this season. The loss is SU’s third conference loss, effectively eliminating it from ACC regular-season title contention.
The Eagles quickly established the run. After forcing a punt to open the game, BC picked up two first downs on four consecutive Robichaux carries. Then, fourth-stringer Jordan McDonald broke off a 41-yard run before getting Boston College down to SU’s five-yard line on his ensuing touch.
Despite their bruising ground game, the Eagles couldn’t punch the ball into the end zone. SU stuffed Robichaux on first down before Duce Chestnut sacked Castellanos for a six-yard loss. This forced Castellanos to attempt his first pass, which fell incomplete to set up a chip-shot field goal. Attempting his first field goal of the season, Liam Connor pushed the 29-yarder wide right.
Yet, Syracuse couldn’t capitalize, instantly going three-and-out. SU responded by forcing a three-and-out defensively before becoming the beneficiary of a shanked 25-yard punt. However, the Orange faltered again as LeQuint Allen Jr. fumbled on SU’s second play.
Boston College, which accumulated 107 rushing yards on 13 first-quarter carries, continued pounding the rock. This time, Robichaux turned three carries into 42 yards and a touchdown, giving BC a 7-0 lead with just under three minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Trying to find an answer, McCord got the Orange around midfield on a 38-yard strike to Darrell Gill Jr. But the drive stalled when BC edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku — whose nine sacks entering the contest ranked second in the ACC — beat Da’Metrius Weatherspoon off the edge before notching his 10th sack to force a punt.
Though the Orange recorded their second three-and-out, they again failed to capitalize on defensive momentum, turning the ball over on downs just shy of midfield. BC continued going to the well with rushes, advancing inside SU’s 10 on four consecutive runs. However, Syracuse quickly forced a third-and-long.
Still having not completed a pass, Castellanos was forced to drop back. This time, he hit Lewis Bond on an underneath route, which he turned into a touchdown.
While Boston College’s prowess on the ground shined, Syracuse answered by resembling its early-season passing attack. First, McCord and Oronde Gadsden II — who was held to just five receptions and 41 yards over SU’s last two games — connected for 30 yards. Then, the Orange advanced beyond midfield on a 14-yard pickup to Jackson Meeks.
Consecutive Allen Jr. runs and a defensive pass interference then advanced SU into the red zone. Lined up one-on-one versus 5-foot-11 defensive back Isaiah Farris along the right sideline, McCord threw a 50-50 ball intended for Gadsden. The tight end jumped over Farris, making a back-handed catch with his right hand before securing it with his body for a touchdown, cutting Syracuse’s deficit in half.
Upon receiving the ensuing kickoff, BC again turned to the running game. Yet a one-yard Castellanos loss made him throw on second and third downs. His struggles persisted, failing to get the Eagles across the chains.
Starting on its 33-yard line, McCord kickstarted SU’s offense. Though it was with his legs this time, as he gained 29 yards off a trick play. Back-to-back completions to Meeks advanced the Orange to BC’s three-yard line, setting up an Allen Jr. touchdown run to tie the game 14-14 just ahead of the two-minute warning.
The Orange had a chance to take the lead following a Castellanos interception with 1:24 until halftime, but the Eagles’ defensive line contained McCord and Co. to prevent points. Castellanos finished the first half 2-of-7 with 14 yards. Meanwhile, the Eagles totaled 172 rushing yards.
Syracuse’s defense began the second half much like it ended the first — stuffing the run to force a punt. Castellanos also sustained an injury, which he didn’t return from. SU’s offense continued building off its 14 unanswered points. A balanced passing and rushing attack led to an eight-play, 59-yard drive resulting in Allen Jr.’s second rushing score, giving Syracuse a 21-14 lead at the third quarter’s 8:53 mark.
Then the Orange were plagued by recent struggles. Robichaux, who finished the game with 28 carries and 198 yards, turned three straight runs into 60 yards and his second touchdown to tie the game.
Entering the matchup, McCord combined for six turnovers against Pittsburgh — where he threw a career-worst five interceptions — and Virginia Tech. Led by an Ezeiruaku bull rush, McCord was strip-sacked. The Eagles could’ve picked the ball up and returned it for a touchdown. Instead, it was kicked through the back of the end zone for a safety, as Boston College regained a 23-21 lead midway through the third quarter.
The Eagles continued their tormenting rushing attack upon receiving the ensuing punt. On their 12-play, 67-yard drive that spanned nearly seven minutes, they added nine carries and a touchdown to extend their lead to 30-21 in the final minute of the third quarter.
While McCord bounced back with a resurgent touchdown drive, connecting with Gill for a 12-yard touchdown, Syracuse’s defense needed to force a stop to give its offense another chance. But as they had all game, the Eagles ran the ball down its throat.
Six straight runs advanced BC down to SU’s 27-yard line. James then attempted his first pass of the drive, which fell incomplete. A Robichaux three-yard rush made it third-and-7 before a six-yard completion set up the all but game-sealing fourth down conversion.
The Orange responded by kicking a field goal with 1:30 remaining, keeping them alive if they could recover the ensuing onside kick. On the first go-around, Gill recovered the kick. However, Fadil Diggs was called for a penalty, forcing SU to re-kick. This time, BC recovered, sealing the game and any chance Syracuse had at making a November push for the ACC regular-season title.
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