Week 12 Notes: The Syracuse Game
November 19, 2018 | Football
Eagles host No. 19 Orange Saturday at noon on Senior Day
The Game
• Boston College looks to win its eighth game of the season for the first time since 2009 as the Eagles host No. 19 Syracuse on Senior Day at Alumni Stadium.
• The game will be broadcast by ESPN with Bob Wischusen, Brock Huard and Allison Williams on the call.
• Coverage on the Boston College IMG Sports Network begins at 11:30 a.m. with Jon Meterparel, Pete Cronan and Scott Mutryn. Fans can listen to the game locally on WEEI 93.7 FM.
• BC (7-4, 4-3 ACC) looks to rebound from its first two-game losing streak of the season after last week's heartbreaking 22-21 loss at Florida State. The Seminoles scored on a 74-yard touchdown pass with 1:49 remaining for the comeback victory.
• No. 19 Syracuse looks to bounce back from last week's 36-3 loss to No. 3 Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium.Â
The Series
• Boston College and Syracuse meet for the 52nd time Saturday in series history. Syracuse leads the all-time series 31-20, but the Eagles lead the series 13-11 in Chestnut Hill.
• The two teams began series play in 1924 as Syracuse shutout the Eagles 10-0.
• Boston College scored its most points in series history in last season's 42-14 win in the Carrier Dome against the Orange. The two teams have split the last four meetings.
• BC looks for its first win at home against the Orange since a 28-7 victory in 2014.
• The longest winning streak for the Eagles in series history was three games while Syracuse's longest winning streak in series play is six games.
• Four of the last six meetings have been decided by 10 points or less.
• The Eastern rivals met every year from 1971-2004.
• Boston College has several ties to Syracuse on its coaching staff. Steve Addazio served on Paul Pasqualoni's staff from 1995-98.Â
• Defensive coordinator Jim Reid (2004), running backs coach Brian White (2006-07) and Assistant AD Reggie Terry (1993-2006) also spent time at Syracuse.
• BC is 3-3 against the Orange in ACC play. As members of the BIG EAST, BC was 5-7 against the Orange.
• Saturday's game marks the first time Boston College faces a ranked Syracuse team since a 39-28 loss to the 22nd-ranked Orange on Nov. 24, 2001. The last time Syracuse played at Boston College as a ranked team was a 42-25 win for the Orange on Oct. 17, 1998.
• BC is 3-7 all-time when Syracuse is ranked in the Top 25. BC upset No. 9 Syracuse 21-14 on Sept. 19, 1964 along with wins against the 13th-ranked Orange on Oct. 2, 1993 (33-29) and a 31-0 shutout over No. 14 Syracuse on Nov. 12, 1994.Â
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ACC Wins
• Boston College joined the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2005 and has finished with a winning record just five times. The Eagles have finished with five ACC wins in a season four times and have recorded six ACC victories in a year once.
• The 6-2 ACC record in 2007 is the best in school history as the Eagles lost to Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship game.
• BC finished 5-3 in the ACC in 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009.
Playing Against the Nation's Best
• Boston College is 31-107-1 all-time against ranked opponents. The Eagles are 1-2 against ranked teams in 2018, losing 28-23 at No. 23 NC State and dropping a 27-7 decision to No. 2 Clemson.
• Boston College's 27-14 win over then No. 25 Miami was the first victory over a ranked team since 2014. Prior to the Miami win, the last win over a ranked opponent was a 37-31 victory over Southern California in 2014.
Taking Down the Canes and Hokies
• The 31-21 win at Virginia Tech on Nov. 3 marked just the second time in 16 seasons BC has victories over Miami and Virginia Tech in the same year. The only other time BC defeated both the Hurricanes and Hokies was 2007. The previous week, the Eagles defeated No. 25 Miami 27-13.
Closer Look at AJ Dillon in the Starting Lineup
• In 18 games since AJ Dillon was named the starter at running back on Oct. 14, 2017 at Louisville, Boston College is 12-6 overall and has averaged:
33.3 points per game
226.7 rushing yards per game
194.9 passing yards per game
421.6 total offense yards per game
2,308 rushing yards by Dillon
144.3 rushing yards per game by Dillon
22 rushing touchdowns by Dillon
11 100-yard rushing games by Dillon
• Dillon missed the games at No. 23 NC State and vs. Louisville with an ankle injury.
• Since Oct. 14, 2017, Dillon is second nationally with 144.3 rushing yards per game.
Rushing Leaders (Oct. 14, 2017 – Nov. 17, 2018)
Player, School Yards Avg. TD YPG
1. Jonathan Taylor, Wisc. 3,079 6.7 19 154.0
2. AJ Dillon, BC 2,308 5.4 22 144.3
3. Devin Singletary, FAU 2,494 5.8 43 131.3
Going on the Offensive
• Boston College is averaging 33.0 points per game, the fifth-best single-game average in school history. The Eagles are 35th nationally and fifth in the ACC in scoring.
BC All-Time Points Per Game Leaders
Year Points Per Game
1. 1984 36.7
2. 1993 34.3
3. 1974 34.1
4. 1974 33.2
5. 2018 33.0
6. 1940 32.0
• BC opened the 2018 season with 40+ points in its first three games, the first time in 120 seasons of football at the Heights the Eagles scored 40+ in the first three games.
• Boston College has scored at least 40 points in an ACC game five times. Four of those five are in BC's past 12 conference games.
• The Eagles joined the ACC in 2005, and the other game of 40+ points was 2009 against NC State.
• Over the last 18 games, BC has eclipsed the 500-yard mark in total offense six times.
• Boston College rolled up 598 yards of total offense in the 55-21 victory against UMass on Sept. 1. The Eagles topped that mark with 610 yards of total offense in the 62-14 victory over Holy Cross on Sept. 8.
• BC went over 500 yards of total offense for the 10th time under head coach Steve Addazio in the victory at Wake Forest. The Eagles finished the 41-34 win over the Deacs with 524 yards of total offense.Â
500+ Yards of Total Offense During Addazio Era
1. 610 Holy Cross (9/8/18)
2. 598 UMass (9/1/18)
3. 581 at Syracuse (11/25/17)
4. 555 at Louisville (10/14/17)
5. 550 at New Mexico State (11/9/13)
6. 524 at Wake Forest (9/13/18)
7. 523 Army (10/5/13)
8. 512 at Virginia (10/21/17)
9. 511 UMass (8/30/14)
10. 506 No. 9 Southern California (9/13/14)
No Fly Zone
• The Eagles are third nationally in interceptions with 17 in 2018.Â
• Over the last two seasons, Boston College has 35 interceptions, second nationally.Â
• Since the start of the 2017 season, BC has four interception returns for touchdowns, tied for 11th nationally. Utah State leads the nation with nine interception returns for touchdowns over the last two years.
NCAA Team Interceptions Leaders (2017-18)
School Interceptions
1. Iowa 38
2. Boston College 35
3. Troy 34
4. Alabama 32
Miami 32
Lockdown Corner
• Junior Hamp Cheevers has been nothing short of sensational in his first year as a starter. After losing two cornerbacks in the NFL Draft (Isaac Yiadom and Kamrin Moore), Cheevers has stepped right in and continued BC's elite play at the position.
• The Trenton, Fla., native leads the nation with seven interceptions this season.
• Cheevers is 14th nationally and second in the ACC with 14 passes defended in 2018.
NCAA Interceptions Leaders
Player, School Interceptions
1. Hamp Cheevers, Boston College 7
2. Jowan Foggie, Charlotte 6
Andre Cisco, Syracuse 6
The Nation's Most Complete Defensive Lineman
• Boston College defensive end Zach Allen has quietly become the most complete defensive lineman in the nation.
• Allen, a Preseason All-America selection, was one of two defensive linemen nationally in 2017 that recorded 100 or more tackles.Â
• An All-ACC honorable mention pick last year, Allen finished the season with 100 tackles, 15.5 tackles-for-loss and 6.0 sacks. The 15.5 TFLs ranked Allen in the top-10 in BC single-season history.
• Allen is a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award and a quarterfinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy in 2018.
• Allen recorded a career-high 14 tackles, leading all players, in the Oct. 7, 2017 game against No. 16 Virginia Tech. He notched a career-high three tackles for loss and one sack on the night. He was named the ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week for his efforts in the Virginia Tech game.
• In the 45-35 win over Temple on Sept. 29, Allen was practically unblockable. The Connecticut native led BC with eight tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks. He also broke up two passes and was credited with one quarterback hurry.
• In the 38-20 victory against Louisville on Oct. 13, Allen was named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week for the second time in his career. Allen was all over the field as he totaled seven tackles, three tackles-for-loss and a sack in BC's win over Louisville. Allen also blocked an extra point on special teams in the victory. BC allowed a season-low 217 yards of total offense and held the Cardinals to 47 rushing yards on 32 attempts, the fewest amount of rushing yards by an opponent in 2018. BC finished with seven sacks and 12 tackles-for-loss in the win.
• Allen is the top-graded edge rusher in the ACC (89.9) according to Pro Football Focus. He is among the top 10 in BC history in career sacks (18.5) and TFLs (40.0).
• Against Florida State, Allen recorded six tackles, one sack, one TFL, one pass breakup, one quarterback hurry and he blocked a field goal.
Unforgettable, That's What You Are
• The Walter Camp Football Foundation announced the Football Bowl Subdivision National Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, presented by Generation UCAN, for games ending September 15.Â
• Senior defensive end Wyatt Ray was the sixth Boston College player to earn Walter Camp National Player of the Week honors since 2004, joining current teammate AJ Dillon, who was recognized on Oct. 15, 2017.
• Ray set a school single-game record with four quarterback sacks as BC earned a 41-34 victory over ACC-rival Wake Forest. Ray also recorded a career-best eight tackles and had one quarterback hurry as the Eagles' improved to 3-0, their best start to a season since 2007.
• Ray tallied 3.0 sacks (tied for fourth in BC single-game history) in the 38-20 win over Louisville on Oct. 13.
• Ray is tied for 13th nationally with 9.0 sacks on the season.
• He is tied for 10th in BC single-season history with Stalin Colinet (1996) with nine sacks.
• Ray comes from a family full of recording artists. His grandfather was Nat King Cole and his aunt is Natalie Cole.
Dillon Near the TopÂ
• AJ Dillon is 10th nationally averaging 116.9 rushing yards per game in 2018. Dillon has played in nine of BC's 11 games, missing two due to an ankle injury.
• Dillon is one of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation's best running back.
• The New London, Conn., native is also a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award.
• Dillon became the first player in 120 seasons of Boston College football to begin his career with back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Dillon went over the 1,000-yard mark on his four-yard touchdown run at Florida State.
• Dillon is just the fourth player in BC history with two seasons of 1,000+ yards rushing. He joins Derrick Knight, Montel Harris and William Green with two years of 1,000 or more rushing yards.
• Dillon passed L.V. Whitworth (2004-07) for ninth all-time in rushing at BC with 2,641 career yards after his 116 yards rushing at Florida State on Nov. 17.
100-yard Games Piling Up
• AJ Dillon has just 16 career starts, but he has 12 career 100-yard games already at Boston College in 22 games played.
• He is tied for seventh in BC history with 12 career 100-yard games.
• BC is 9-3 when Dillon rushes for 100+ yards in a game.
Dillon Named ACC Preseason Player of the Year
• AJ Dillon returns as the ACC Preseason Player of the Year after a record-setting freshman campaign in 2017.
• Dillon's 1,589 yards rushing last season were the second-most by any freshman in ACC history. The New London, Connecticut, native ranked second nationally among all freshmen in rushing in 2017 and seventh among all players. Dillon set the Boston College freshman rushing record while posting the fourth-highest single-season total in school history.
• Dillon received 45 votes in this year's ACC Preseason Player of the Year balloting to edge Clemson defensive tackle Christian Wilkins by three votes. NC State quarterback Ryan Finley placed third with 37 votes, and Florida State running back Cam Akers followed with 13.
Benny the Jet
• Redshirt sophomore running back Ben Glines made his first career start at running back for the Eagles at No. 23 NC State. Glines finished the day with 90 yards on 16 carries, including a 21-yard touchdown run. Glines finished with two touchdowns on the day as he hauled in an 11-yard touchdown reception as well.
• Glines rushed for a career-high 120 and a touchdown the previous game against Temple after Dillon left the game with an ankle injury.
• In the 38-20 win over Louisville, Glines rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown (6.3 yards per carry).
• For the season, Glines is averaging 5.6 yards per carry and is second on the team with 376 yards rushing. He has also caught 10 passes for 131 yards and three touchdowns as a receiver.
Block Party
• BC is fifth nationally with five blocked kicks in 2018. It is the most blocked kicks by any BC team since at least 1996.Â
• Boston College blocked a field goal and a punt at No. 23 NC State on Oct. 6. Kevin Bletzer blocked his first career field goal - the first blocked field goal for Boston College since Connor Wujciak at Virginia Tech on Nov. 1, 2014.
• In the fourth quarter, redshirt sophomore safety Michael Palmer blocked an NC State punt that was recovered in the end zone for a touchdown by sophomore running back Travis Levy. It was the first punt blocked by BC since Matt Milano vs. Buffalo (10/1/16) and the first returned for a TD since Elijah Robinson's scoop-and-score vs. Louisville (10/24/15).
Select Company
• Anthony Brown threw for a career-high 304 yards and five touchdowns on 16-for-25 passing in the 41-34 win at Wake Forest on Sept. 13. The New Jersey native is one of two Boston College quarterbacks in school history to have thrown five or more touchdowns in a game without an interception. Doug Flutie threw for 354 yards and 6 TDs without a pick in 1984 at home vs. North Carolina.Â
• Brown became the first BC quarterback to throw for over 300 yards and five TDs in a game since Matt Ryan vs. Wake Forest (9/1/07). It was the first 300-yard passing performance by an Eagle since Chase Rettig vs. Wake Forest (11/3/12).
• Brown is tied ninth with Chase Rettig (2013), Shawn Halloran (1986), Doug Flutie (1983) and Ken Smith (1977) in single-season history at BC with 17 touchdown passes in 2018.Â
Watch Out for Walker
• Michael Walker got BC on the scoreboard with a 74-yard punt return for a touchdown against No. 2 Clemson, the first punt return touchdown of his career on his 44th career punt return.
• Walker's punt return for a TD was the first by an Eagle since Spiffy Evans against Maine (9/5/12) and the 74-yard return was the eighth-longest in BC history. It also marked the first time since 2011 Clemson has allowed a punt return for a touchdown.Â
• Walker had a monster day earlier in the season at Purdue as well. He finished tied for second in BC history with 213 kickoff return yards against the Boilermakers.
BC Single-Game Kickoff Return Yard Leaders
Yards Name (Year) Opponent
214 Dave Bennett (1968) Army
213 Michael Walker (2018) Purdue
213 Jeff Smith (2006) Clemson
• Walker is 23rd nationally and third in the ACC with 25.1 yards per kickoff return.
• On punt returns, Walker is eighth nationally averaging 13.3 yards per return.
• For the second straight year, Walker leads the nation in combined kick and punt return yards (1,132 yards).
• Against Central Michigan last year, Walker registered 128 punt return yards - including 124 in the first half - the fourth-best single-game total in BC history. It was the most punt return yards in a game since Ed Rideout finished with 131 punt return yards against Holy Cross in 1970. He finished the game with 135 all-purpose yards.Â
BC Single-Game Punt Return Yard Leaders
Yards Name (Year) Opponent
166 Kelvin Martin (1985) Holy Cross
136 Kelvin Martin (1986) SMU
131 Ed Rideout (1970) Holy Cross
128 Michael Walker (2017) Central Michigan
109 Spiffy Evans (2012) Maryland
BC Career Punt Return Leaders
PR Name Years
84 Kenyatta Watson 1993-96
79 Kelvin Martin 1983-86
65 Dedrick Dewalt 1998-01
55 DeJuan Tribble 2004-07
49 Will Blackmon 2002-05
Clint Kuboyama 1991-92
47 Michael Walker 2015-present
BC Career Punt Return Yardage Leaders
Yards Name Years
1,012 Kelvin Martin 1983-86
816 Kenyatta Watson 1993-96
714 Ed Rideout 1969-71
615 Michael Walker 2015--present
511 Will Blackmon 2002-06
BC Career Kickoff Return Yardage Leaders
Yards Name Years
2,700 Will Blackmon 2002-05
2,515 Michael Walker 2015-present
2,082 Myles Willis 2013-16
BC Career Kickoff Return Leaders
KR Name Years
110 Will Blackmon 2002-05
101 Michael Walker 2015-present
86 Tim Frager 1987-90
Chunk Plays
• Boston College is 20th nationally and is second in the ACC behind only Clemson with 65 plays of 20+ yards in 2018. The Tigers lead the league with 71 plays of 20+ yards from scrimmage in 2018.
• Last season, BC was 70th nationally with 57 plays of 20+ yards in 13 games. In 2016, the Eagles were 121st nationally with 42 plays of 20+ yards over the 13-game season.
What Can Brown Do for You?
• Anthony Brown finished with the best single-game passer rating (245.9) by a BC QB dating back to the 1996 season with his performance against UMass in the season-opener. He finished 15-of-21 passing for 279 yards and four touchdowns. The yards and TD passes were then career-highs for the New Jersey native.
• Brown finished with the second-best single-game passer rating in the 41-34 win at Wake Forest. Brown became the first BC quarterback to throw for over 300 yards and five TDs in a game at Wake Forest (9/13/18) since Matt Ryan vs. Wake Forest (9/1/07). It was the first 300-yard passing performance by an Eagle since Chase Rettig vs. Wake Forest (11/3/12).
• Brown was named the ACC Quarterback of the Week for his performance in the win at Wake. In addition, he was one of eight quarterbacks nationally recognized by the Davey O'Brien Award and The Manning Award for his play in the win at Wake.
• In 2017, Brown was named ACC Rookie of the Week for the first time in his career following the UVA victory and also was one of eight quarterbacks nationally recognized by The Manning Award as its "Stars of the Week."
• He was the first Boston College player with three passing touchdowns and zero interceptions in a conference game since Quinton Porter in 2003 in the 41-10 victory at UVA.
• It marked the third-best single-game passer rating by a BC quarterback since 1996 at the time. The performance now ranks fourth since 1996.
• Brown was the second freshman in BC history to start a season opener under center in the Sept. 1, 2017 win at Northern Illinois. He is the only freshman quarterback in school history who started to win a season opener on the road.
Single-Game Passer Rating Leaders (since 1996)
Player Rating
1. Anthony Brown (9/1/18) vs. UMass 245.9
15-of-21, 279 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT
2. Anthony Brown (9/13/18) at Wake Forest 232.1
16-of-25, 304 yards, 5 TD, 0 INT
3. Quinton Porter (10/11/03) vs. Temple 224.1
18-of-24, 308 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT
4. Anthony Brown (10/21/17) vs. Virginia 216.7
19-of-24, 275 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT
5. Tim Hasselbeck (9/9/00) vs. Army 216.2
14-of-21, 256 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT
Notes to Remember
• Head coach Steve Addazio has led the Eagles to four bowls in his five years, the first head coach in BC history to do so. The Eagles will head to their fifth bowl in six seasons under Addazio in December.
• The Eagles return ACC Rookie of the Year AJ Dillon, the nation's second-leading rusher among freshmen and the country's No. 7 overall rusher with 1,589 yards and 14 touchdowns.
• Dillon was BC's first ACC Rookie of the Year. He had 1,099 rushing yards over the last six regular season games, the most of any player in the country.
• Dillon's 1,589 rushing yards were the second-most by any ACC freshman in conference history.
• Dillon tied for the most All-ACC votes with reigning Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson. Dillon had four games of 190+ yards of rushing in 2017.
• Boston College had nine players earn All-ACC honors, tied for the most in school history. Seven of the nine All-ACC selections return in 2018.
• Over the last six regular season games in 2017, BC averaged 36 points per game and outscored the opposition by 19 points per contest including wins over Florida State (35-3), at Louisville (45-42) and at Virginia (41-10).
• Boston College was third nationally in pass efficiency defense in 2017.
• Boston College was 12th nationally in interceptions (18) in 2017.
• BC scored 35+ points in three consecutive games for the first time since 2002.
• BC scored 40+ points in consecutive conference games once in school history in the BIG EAST and ACC (this season).
• 500+ yards of total offense in consecutive games against Louisville and Virginia was also a first in ACC history for BC.
• Boston College's rushing offense was the most improved unit of any Power 5 school in yards per carry (96th to 25th).
• Boston College was 12th nationally and was second in the ACC in sacks allowed in 2017.
• Boston College was 18th nationally in total plays in 2017. In 2016, the Eagles ranked 94th nationally in total plays.
• Lukas Denis was tied for second nationally with seven interceptions in 2017.
Second in ACC History
• AJ Dillon became the 12th freshman in ACC history to run for 1,000 yards in a season after his 196-yard performance against No. 23 NC State on Nov. 11, 2017. He finished 2017 second in ACC history with 1,589 rushing yards by a freshman.
ACC Freshman Rushing Yards Leaders
1. Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech (2009) 1,655
2. AJ Dillon, Boston College (2017) Â 1,589
3. Darren Evans, Virginia Tech (2008) 1,265
4. Giovani Bernard, North Carolina (2011) 1,253
5. Amos Lawrence, North Carolina (1977) 1,211
• Dillon was the first BC player to rush for over 1,000 yards since graduate quarterback Tyler Murphy accumulated 1,184 in 2014.
BC Single-Season Rushing Yards Leaders
1. Andre Williams (2013) 2,177
2. Mike Cloud (1998) 1,726
3. Derrick Knight (2003) 1,721
4. AJ Dillon (2017) 1,589
5. William Green (2001) 1,559
BC Single-Game Rushing Leaders
1. Andre Williams (339 vs. NC State) 11/16/13
2. Andre Williams (295 at New Mexico State) 11/9/13
3. AJ Dillon (272 at Louisville) 10/14/17
4. Montel Harris (264 vs. NC State) 10/17/09
BC Single-Game Rushing Attempt Leaders
1. Andre Williams (42 vs. NC State) 11/16/13
Andre Williams (42 at Syracuse) 11/27/10
3. Montel Harris (41 vs. Maryland) 11/28/09
Fred Willis (41 vs. Pitt) 11/14/70
5. AJ Dillon (39 at Louisville) 10/14/17
Rolandan Finch (39 vs. Maryland) 10/29/11
Jim Bell (39 vs. Tennessee) 10/31/87
BC vs. 2018 Opponents
• Boston College is 177-169-6 all-time against its 2018 opponents. The Eagles own winning records against UMass, Holy Cross, Wake Forest, Temple and NC State.
UMass 22-5
Holy Cross 49-31-3
Wake Forest 14-10-2
Purdue 0-1
Temple 29-7-2
NC State 9-7
Louisville 5-6
Miami 6-24
Virginia Tech 9-18
Clemson 9-17-2
Florida State 5-12
Syracuse 20-31
Cap and Gown
• Five members of the 2018 Boston College Football team have already earned their undergraduate degree from BC: Center Jon Baker (marketing), linebacker Kevin Bletzer (communication), offensive lineman Sam Schmal (marketing), linebacker Connor Strachan (finance) and tight end Tommy Sweeney (marketing).
Look Out for Lukas
• Lukas Denis made a flawless transition from cornerback to free safety in 2017. The Everett native tied for second nationally with seven interceptions last year.
• He is the only player in the country over the last decade to total at least 80 tackles, seven interceptions, 10 pass breakups and two forced fumbles in a single-season.
• Denis ended the season earning Walter Camp Football Foundation Second-Team All-America honors and was an All-ACC selection for the first time in his career.
• Denis also tied for 12th nationally with 17 passes defended in 2017.
• Denis started the 2018 season with his ninth career interception - and first pick-six - with a 59-yard interception return for a touchdown against UMass.
Pound the Rock
• For the 13th time under Steve Addazio, Boston College rushed for 300 yards or more in the Sept. 8 win against Holy Cross. BC finished with a season-best 365 yards rushing vs. the Crusaders.
• Under Addazio, BC is 13-0 when rushing for 300+ yards in a game.
300+ Rushing Yards During Addazio Era
1. 452 No. 9 Southern California (9/13/14)
2. 420 NC State (11/1613)
3. 413 Maine (9/20/14)
4. 365 Holy Cross (9/8/18)
5. 364 at Louisville (10/14/17)
6. 347 Howard (9/12/15)
7. 338 UMass (8/30/14)
8. 333 at Syracuse (11/25/17)
9. 330 at UConn (11/18/17)
10. 320 at New Mexico State (11/9/13)
11. 320 Army (10/5/13)
12. 310 at NC State (10/11/14)
13. 300 Wagner (9/24/16)
A Balancing Act
• In the 27-13 win over No. 25 Miami, Boston College had 200+ yards rushing and 200+ passing in the same game for the fourth time this season. That's the most such games for BC in a season since 2003.Â
Famous Bloodlines
• Boston College has several players with famous bloodlines on the 2018 roster:
Javian Dayne Son of Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne
AJ Dillon Grandson of CFB Hall of Fame WR Thom Gatewood
Tate Haynes Son of NFL Hall of Fame DB Mike Haynes
Tito Pasqualoni Son of Lions DC Paul Pasqualoni
Wyatt Ray Grandson of Nat King Cole
John Tessitore Son of ESPN announcer Joe Tessitore
Tyler Vrabel Son of Titans head coach Mike Vrabel
Lindstrom Leads Stout BC O-Line
• Boston College returns all five starters on the offensive line along with the return of center Jon Baker from injury in 2018.
• Phil Steele's Magazine ranked the BC offensive line as the sixth-best unit.Â
• BC is second nationally with 139 career combined starts returning on the offensive line entering the 2018 season.
• Chris Lindstrom headlines the returners up front for the Eagles. A preseason All-American by Athlon Magazine, Lindstrom returns as one of the ACC's top offensive linemen in 2018.
• Lindstrom graded out as BC's best offensive lineman a year ago en route to All-ACC second-team honors. The Dudley, Mass., product has 41 career starts under his belt and was named the ACC's Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week on Sept. 3.
• Lindstrom captured Offensive Lineman of the Week honors in the league for the second time in 2018 and for the third time in his career on Oct. 15. Again the top-graded lineman up front for Boston College, Lindstrom paved the way for an offense that totaled 251 yards rushing as two backs went over 100 yards rushing (Ben Glines and David Bailey).
Career Offensive Line Returning Starts (Entering 2018)
Team Career OL Starts
1. Wisconsin 150
2. Boston College 139
3. Wake Forest 131
4. FIU 129
5. Indiana 126
Scouting the Seminoles
• Syracuse is ranked 19th in this week's AP Top 25 and Amway Coaches poll. The Orange are 8-3 overall and 5-2 in the ACC.
• Syracuse ranks 24th nationally in total offense (459.6 yards per game), 33rd in rushing offense (207.3 yards per game) and 45th in passing offense (252.4 yards per game. The Orange rank 10th in the country in scoring with 40.6 points per game on offense.
• On defense, Syracuse is 95th nationally in total defense (433.3 yards per game). The Orange are allowing 28.4 points per contest, 78th nationally. Against the run, Syracuse is allowing 169.2 yards per game (72nd nationally). Through the air, Syracuse's opponents are averaging 264.1 yards per game, 107th nationally.
Baker, Harris Named 2018 Captains
• Graduate center Jon Baker and senior defensive back Will Harris were voted team captains by their teammates, Boston College head coach Steve Addazio announced in August.
Sweeney Continues to Climb
• Tommy Sweeney is among the top 10 in school history for career receptions by a tight end at Boston College.Â
• The Don Bosco Prep product had just one scholarship offer at the FBS level coming out of high school in Boston College. His lone other offer was from FCS member Delaware.
• He is one of seven tight ends in school history with 1,000 or more career receiving yards.Â
• A three-year starter, Sweeney was named to the All-ACC third-team in 2017.
Tight End Receptions Leaders at BC
Name Years Rec. Yards TD
Pete Mitchell 1991-94 190 2,388 20
Mark Chmura 1987-91 164 2,046 11
Scott Gieselman 1982-85 120 1,485 10
Ryan Purvis 2005-08 113 1,121 6
Chris Pantale 2009-12 98 986 7
Tom Sweeney 2015-18 96 1,222 10
Scott Nizolek 1979-82 83 1,335 7
Tim Sherwin 1977-80 78 1,055 3
Todd Pollack 1994-97 77 743 8
Sean Ryan 2000-03 75 950 12
