Boston College Athletics
Photo by: John Quackenbos
Jurkovec-To-Lewis Latest Breakout Pairing On Offense
October 27, 2020 | Football, #ForBoston Files
That height and size with speed and jump ability? Good luck with that.
Boston College's offensive makeover felt like a sudden change for observers following the team through both the Massachusetts and Atlantic Coast Conference circles. The power team built around straightforward running evaporated overnight into a high-voltage passing attack with a delightful, new freshness. People weren't used to seeing 50 passing attempts in one game, but there they were, seeing it twice in the first half of Jeff Hafley's first season.
This past week, that segment of BC's offense evolved into a complementary piece by enabling the Eagles to carve Georgia Tech's defense under a muscular umbrella. The running game emerged from its initial hibernation and set up the pass, to which offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti continued to spread the ball around and swallow the Yellow Jackets with lethal efficiency.
"I hired Frank because I think he's a great coach and a great leader," BC head coach Jeff Hafley said. "I coached against him, so I knew what his system was. I loved his pass game, it's an NFL pass game, and I think it's very hard to defend. It's pretty complex, and we mixed in some of the college-run game with (Run-Pass Options). It sets up play action pass."
Against Georgia Tech, quarterback Phil Jurkovec only went 13-for-21 on attempts, but he fired two touchdowns to wide receiver CJ Lewis. He only recorded 145 yards in the air, his lowest number since joining the Eagles this season, but he didn't throw an interception for the third time in his last four games.Â
Six receivers caught at least one pass, but Jurkovec's leading receiver was neither Zay Flowers nor Hunter Long for the first time this season. It instead was Lewis, the big-bodied former high school quarterback with 14 catches and one career touchdown reception prior to this season.
"There are more opportunities to make plays (on the field)," Lewis said. "Defenses are keying on Zay and Hunter, and I'm looking to fit into my role to help this team win football games."
Each of Lewis' four catches showcased something different. In the first quarter, a play action pass froze the linebackers in the intermediary position between the five yard line and the goal line, but Lewis gained a step of separation in single coverage in the back of the end zone. Jurkovec stepped up into the pocket to avoid a rush (there was a flag for offsides anyway), and he delivered a high ball to the corner of the end zone. Lewis caught it in the upper position as the defensive back clung to his back for dear life.Â
"I'm just a bigger target," Lewis said. "I'm 6'3", 6'4" and 220 (pounds) with long arms. Phil puts (the ball) in a great spot to get it, but no one else can go get it there. That's what I pride myself on."
One minute later, he caught two passes on another short touchdown drive. On the first, Jurkovec scrambled and Lewis came back to the play before turning upfield in stride. He nearly collided with Flowers on a pick play, but instead flipped around his teammate and into space.Â
On the second, he separated at the line and cut inside before Jurkovec threw into the window between three defenders. The ball was high by design, and Lewis again jumped over the defenders to haul in a second touchdown.
"It gets harder when you get down there (in the red zone)," Lewis said. "I want to help Phil with my size so he can throw it in the end zone, and I can make plays."
That size makes Lewis one of BC's most unique assets. He matches 217 pounds of body torque onto a lanky, 6-foot-3-inch frame. His quick feet enable him to twist defensive backs, but his height and jumping ability puts him in position to catch balls in different areas. It compounded Georgia Tech last week because BC's run melted the line of scrimmage.Â
Those gains froze the safeties and linebackers at the first and second levels in the red zone and took away any physical options against Lewis. Cornerbacks typically trusted with physical play against Flowers instead found themselves blocked by a behemoth or, worse, in single coverage in a passing route against a big body with quick movement. They couldn't do anything to stop him and instead became a footnote into his breakout renaissance.
"We wanted to build (the offense) the right way," Hafley said. "There were going to be growing pains in there, but we wanted to establish our identity and run what we believe in. I do think you'll see us get better. There will be bumps in the road, but this is who we're going to be."
"From sitting out last year (as a redshirt), I was able to collect my thoughts on everything that's going around me," Lewis said. "I wanted to take advantage of every opportunity that I had. With that, I had to grow up a lot quicker. I just tried to go in every week and every day, preparing like it's my list, and that's how I've been able to grow, day by day."
Â
This past week, that segment of BC's offense evolved into a complementary piece by enabling the Eagles to carve Georgia Tech's defense under a muscular umbrella. The running game emerged from its initial hibernation and set up the pass, to which offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti continued to spread the ball around and swallow the Yellow Jackets with lethal efficiency.
"I hired Frank because I think he's a great coach and a great leader," BC head coach Jeff Hafley said. "I coached against him, so I knew what his system was. I loved his pass game, it's an NFL pass game, and I think it's very hard to defend. It's pretty complex, and we mixed in some of the college-run game with (Run-Pass Options). It sets up play action pass."
Against Georgia Tech, quarterback Phil Jurkovec only went 13-for-21 on attempts, but he fired two touchdowns to wide receiver CJ Lewis. He only recorded 145 yards in the air, his lowest number since joining the Eagles this season, but he didn't throw an interception for the third time in his last four games.Â
Six receivers caught at least one pass, but Jurkovec's leading receiver was neither Zay Flowers nor Hunter Long for the first time this season. It instead was Lewis, the big-bodied former high school quarterback with 14 catches and one career touchdown reception prior to this season.
"There are more opportunities to make plays (on the field)," Lewis said. "Defenses are keying on Zay and Hunter, and I'm looking to fit into my role to help this team win football games."
Each of Lewis' four catches showcased something different. In the first quarter, a play action pass froze the linebackers in the intermediary position between the five yard line and the goal line, but Lewis gained a step of separation in single coverage in the back of the end zone. Jurkovec stepped up into the pocket to avoid a rush (there was a flag for offsides anyway), and he delivered a high ball to the corner of the end zone. Lewis caught it in the upper position as the defensive back clung to his back for dear life.Â
"I'm just a bigger target," Lewis said. "I'm 6'3", 6'4" and 220 (pounds) with long arms. Phil puts (the ball) in a great spot to get it, but no one else can go get it there. That's what I pride myself on."
One minute later, he caught two passes on another short touchdown drive. On the first, Jurkovec scrambled and Lewis came back to the play before turning upfield in stride. He nearly collided with Flowers on a pick play, but instead flipped around his teammate and into space.Â
On the second, he separated at the line and cut inside before Jurkovec threw into the window between three defenders. The ball was high by design, and Lewis again jumped over the defenders to haul in a second touchdown.
"It gets harder when you get down there (in the red zone)," Lewis said. "I want to help Phil with my size so he can throw it in the end zone, and I can make plays."
That size makes Lewis one of BC's most unique assets. He matches 217 pounds of body torque onto a lanky, 6-foot-3-inch frame. His quick feet enable him to twist defensive backs, but his height and jumping ability puts him in position to catch balls in different areas. It compounded Georgia Tech last week because BC's run melted the line of scrimmage.Â
Those gains froze the safeties and linebackers at the first and second levels in the red zone and took away any physical options against Lewis. Cornerbacks typically trusted with physical play against Flowers instead found themselves blocked by a behemoth or, worse, in single coverage in a passing route against a big body with quick movement. They couldn't do anything to stop him and instead became a footnote into his breakout renaissance.
"We wanted to build (the offense) the right way," Hafley said. "There were going to be growing pains in there, but we wanted to establish our identity and run what we believe in. I do think you'll see us get better. There will be bumps in the road, but this is who we're going to be."
"From sitting out last year (as a redshirt), I was able to collect my thoughts on everything that's going around me," Lewis said. "I wanted to take advantage of every opportunity that I had. With that, I had to grow up a lot quicker. I just tried to go in every week and every day, preparing like it's my list, and that's how I've been able to grow, day by day."
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