Syracuse football: SU falls 37-31 in Chestnut Hill against Boston College

Near-perfect game from QB Kyle McCord not enough to lift Orange over Eagles

For Syracuse Orange fans in attendance at today’s game, the only thing thing that could’ve made the day better was the outcome. On a beautiful day in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, the Orange (6-3, 3-3) fell 37-31 to the Boston College Eagles (5-4, 2-3) at Alumni Stadium.

What started as an ugly game for Syracuse, eventually turned into an electric back-and-forth heavyweight ACC clash, that ultimately fell BC’s way.

SU’s offense got off to another slow start in this game. Its first three drives amassed only 62 yards on offense. BC started its first offensive drive from its own 17-yard line and, in 10 plays, went 76 yards before Eagles K Liam Connor sent one wide right from 29 yards away.

Syracuse DB Alijah Clark looked like the only Orange defender who wanted to be in the Boston area in the first quarter. Three early solo tackles, including a tackle that stopped a sure Boston College rushing touchdown and a pass breakup on a long ball from QB Thomas Castellanos to WR Lewis Bond in single coverage.

The Eagles found the end zone on its third offensive possession on a rushing touchdown from RB Kye Robichaux after Syracuse RB LeQuint Allen fumbled the football on SU’s 42-yard line, Allen’s first fumble this season. Robichaux’s first quarter stat line: 8 rush attempts, 68 yards (8.5 AVG.), 1 TD.

BC led 7-0 after 15 minutes of action, SU’s third straight ACC game without a point in the first quarter.

Syracuse could do nothing right against the run all day. Boston College RB Jordan McDonald carried the football five times for 44 yards before Eagles QB Thomas Castellanos connected with his receiver Lewis Bond for the Eagles’ second score of the day.

SU eventually found its footing in the second quarter. Back-to-back touchdowns to even the game at 14-14 just before the two-minute timeout. The first score came at the end of a masterful six-play 88-yard, drive that included two unreal grabs from Syracuse TE Oronde Gadsden, one of those catches being the touchdown from 17 yards away. The second score came on the ground, a three-yard rushing touchdown from Allen — his eighth rushing touchdown this season. McCord on the two scoring drives: 5/6, 124 total yards, 1 TD.

Orange DB Jayden Bellamy came away with an athletic interception on an overthrown ball from Castellanos right before the half (Bellamy’s second pick of the year), but SU could not convert points on the possession that followed after the turnover — the halftime score 14-14.

Syracuse came out swinging in the second half. Its first drive out of the break ended with Allen in the endzone, his third game of the season with multiple rushing touchdowns. But SU’s first lead of the football game didn’t last long. Boston College, seemingly unfazed by the score, had a response of its own — two scores and a safety that put the Eagles back out in front 30-21.

Eagles DE Donovan Ezeiruaku got to McCord for a strip sack (11th sack of the season), which eventually led to the safety, followed by BC’s second score of the third quarter. McDonald and Robichaux combined for nearly 100 rushing yards and the two touchdowns in that 15.

But, it’s like Rocky Balboa said, “It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” On the next possession, McCord went 8-for-8 through the air on a 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive that pulled the Orange within two points. Orange WR Darrell Gill Jr. on the receiving end of McCord’s second passing touchdown.

Syracuse had an opportunity to stop Boston College on 4th & 1 but failed to convert the turnover on downs — SU’s defense got completely fooled on a trick play that led to a wide-open 18-yard touchdown grab for Eagles TE Jeremiah Franklin.

On the next possession, what Syracuse had failed to accomplish, Boston College did not. On 4th & 10 at BC’s 38-yard line, McCord could not convert on a pass intended for Orange WR Trebor Pena. The Eagles would get the football off the turnover on downs.

Syracuse’s defense forced a three-and-out to get the ball back, connected on a 25-yard field goal, and NEARLY converted an onside kick for a chance to win the football game.. Darrell Gill Jr. recovered Orange K Brady Denaburg’s onside kick, but the play was called back on an illegal blocking penalty.

Despite the loss, McCord did everything he could to keep Syracuse in this football game. McCord’s final stats: 31/48, 392 passing yards, 2 TDs.

Syracuse hits the road next week for another ACC matchup on Saturday, November 6 against the California Golden Bears. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. on the CW.