Ground Game Propels Boston College Football Past Syracuse
The Boston College Eagles (5-4, 2-3 ACC) snapped its three-game losing streak with a 37-31 win over the Syracuse Orange (6-3, 3-3 ACC) on Saturday afternoon.
The running game was a significant part of each team’s performance in the contest. In total, five touchdowns were scored in the ground game between the two programs.
Eagles running back Kye Robichaux started off the afternoon with a 34-yard touchdown run, one of two he scored on the day. The other came from a 14-yard run around the halfway mark of the third quarter. The senior recorded 198 yards on 28 attempts on top of the two scores, a career high.
Running back Jordan McDonald had a career day too as he tallied 15 rush attempts for 133 yards and a touchdown, a 13-yard run late in the third.
Boston College also scored on a nine-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver Lewis Bond, a safety, and an 18-yard reception by tight end Jeremiah Franklin.
Two of the Orange’s touchdowns were runs by running back LeQuint Allen, a three-yarder in the second and a four-yarder in the third.
Syracuse added a pair of receiving touchdowns to its score as well, a 17-yard catch by tight end Oronde Gadsden II in the second, the team’s first of the day and a 12-yard reception by wide receiver Darrell Gill Jr., in the fourth.
With the win, Boston College earns its fifth win of the season and needs one more in its final three games to become bowl eligible.
How it Happened:
4th Quarter
- Boston College takes a knee and wins the game. Boston College 37, Syracuse 31.
- Syracuse gets the onside kick originally but an illegal block penalty negates it. The Orange can’t get the ball on the second attempt and Boston College secures the win.
- The Orange cuts into its deficit with a 25-yard field goal. Boston College 37, Syracuse 31.
- Syracuse turns the ball over after throwing an incompletion on 4th-and-10 at the BC38. The Eagles take over there.
- Boston College extends its lead with an 18-yard reception from QB Grayson James to TE Jeremiah Franklin. Boston College 37, Syracuse 28.
- Syracuse cuts into its deficit with a 12-yard touchdown pass from QB Kyle McCord to WR Darrell Gill Jr. Boston College 30, Syracuse 28.
3rd Quarter
- The quarter comes to a close. Boston College 30, Syracuse 23.
- The Eagles extend their lead on a 13-yard touchdown run by running back Jordan McDonald. Boston College 30, Syracuse 23.
- Syracuse QB Kyle McCord fumbles the football on the first snap of the drive and it rolls into the back of the end zone, resulting in a safety for the Eagles. Boston College 23, Syracuse 21.
- The Eagles respond and drive down the field, capped off by a 14-yard touchdown run by running back Kye Robichaux. Boston College 21, Syracuse 21.
- Boston College QB Grayson James comes into the game in place of Thomas Castellanos.
- Syracuse gets its first lead of the day with a four-yard touchdown run by running back LeQuint Allen. Syracuse 21, Boston College 14.
- Boston College goes three-and-out to open the second half. QB Thomas Castellanos gets sacked on 3rd-and-10. Syracuse gets the ball at its own 41-yard line.
- The Eagles start at their own 25-yard line to open the second half.
2nd Quarter
- The half comes to a close with a Hail Mary incompletion by the Orange. Boston College will get the ball to start to the second half. Boston College 14, Syracuse 14.
- Boston College turns the ball over on a batted ball interception. Syracuse takes over at its own 47-yard line with a chance to take the lead.
- The Orange ties up the ballgame on a three-yard touchdown run by running back LeQuint Allen. The Eagles will get the ball back with a little over two minutes left in the half. Boston College 14, Syracuse 14.
- Boston College goes three-and-out and is forced to punt. Syracuse will get the ball back with a chance to tie the game with under five minutes in the half.
- The Orange get on the board with a 17-yard touchdown pass from QB Kyle McCord to TE Oronde Gadsden II. Eagles DB Max Tucker was called for a controversial pass interference flag on the play prior to the score. Boston College 14, Syracuse 7.
- The Eagles extend their lead on a nine-yard touchdown pass from QB Thomas Castellanos to WR Lewis Bond. Boston College 14, Syracuse 0.
1st Quarter
- The quarter comes to a close. Syracuse was forced to punt and Boston College will open the second with the ball at its own 13-yard line. Boston College 7, Syracuse 0.
- Boston College strikes first with a 34-yard rushing touchdown by running back Kye Robichaux. Boston College 7, Syracuse 0.
- After being forced to punt, Boston College gets the ball back two snaps later with a forced fumble and recovery by Quintayvious Hutchins. The Eagles take over at the SYR42.
- Syracuse can’t pick up a first down on its second drive and punts the ball away. Boston College will get the ball at its own 45-yard line.
- The Eagles special teams woes continue as kicker Liam Connor shanks a 29-yard field goal attempt to keep the contest scoreless.
- Syracuse’s opening drive looked to be a promising one but is forced to punt just across midfield. Boston College gets the ball for the first time at its own 13-yard line.
Pregame
- Boston College wins the coin toss and defers. Syracuse will get the ball to start the game.
- Kickoff is set for noon ET.
How to Watch:
Who: Boston College Eagles and Syracuse Orange
When: Saturday, Nov. 9 at noon ET
Where: Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, Mass.
TV: The CW
Radio: WEEI 93.7 FM
Last Outing, Syracuse: The Orange defeated the Virginia Tech Hokies 38-31 in overtime on Saturday afternoon.
Last Outing, Boston College: The Eagles suffered a home loss to the No. 25 Louisville Cardinals 31-27 on Oct. 25.
Last Meeting: The last meeting between these two programs was on Nov. 3, 2023. The Eagles defeated the Orange 17-10 at Syracuse.
