Rapid Reaction: Boston College 39, Connecticut 16
BOSTON — In the first quarter, panic ensued.
Without Harold Landry for yet another week, and now down defensive back Kamrin Moore with a shoulder injury, Boston College football's defense struggled against Connecticut on Saturday's opening drive at Fenway Park. Kevin Mensah set the Huskies up with a couple of short runs before quarterback David Pindell caught the Eagles' secondary sleeping with a short pass to Arkeel Newsome that went for 50 yards. The BC defense held from there, but a 50-yard field goal by Michael Tarbutt put Connecticut quickly up 3-0.
After a three-and-out led by Darius Wade, UConn pressured down the field, only to have Hamp Cheevers pick off Pindell on a deep throw to the end zone. But again, BC couldn't get in an offensive groove. A.J. Dillon broke his first big run of the day for 48 yards, but Colton Lichtenberg was blocked from 43 yards out.
It took until Drive Five, when Wyatt Ray blocked Tarbutt from 30 yards out, that the Eagles could finally breathe. Because after that point, the Huskies got absolutely nothing done. BC dominated the rest of the way en route to a 39-16 steamrolling of Connecticut at Fenway Park. The win was the sixth of the year for the Eagles, clinching their fourth bowl berth in five years under head coach Steve Addazio. All four berths have come with either six or seven wins.
DILLON DOMINATION: What more can be said about the superstar true freshman running back? Yet again, A.J.Dillon, the 4* who flipped from Michigan at the last second, went up over 200 yards rushing on the day. He bowled over several UConn defenders for his second quarter 53-yard touchdown, carrying several into the end zone. He set up other touchdowns, like the drive that led to Jonathan Hilliman's 38-yard score. If Addazio gets another year (and beyond that), it's all on the back of Dillon, who has proven that he is an elite runner not just among freshmen, but among the entire country. He is easily the freshman All-American running back, if not someone who should be considered among Bryce Love, Jonathan Taylor, Josh Adams, and Saquon Barkley for the best running back in the nation, period.
WORLD OF WADE: The backup quarterback Darius Wade actually held his own on the deep ball against Connecticut. He had a rough start, but looked strong when launching it down the field. If not for two Kobay White drops, Wade's passing yards would've been much higher. He also looked impressive on his scramble toss to Chris Garrison to get the Eagles on the board for their first score of the game. He didn't break 100 yards on the day, but he didn't do anything that might've led to BC losing.
UNDER PRESSURE: In the first half, David Pindell, the UConn quarterback, looked comfortable and poised despite a poor offensive line. But once Noa Merritt began to break through, that all changed. The defensive tackle led the way with two sacks and forced fumble, and the Eagles kept the pressure on Pindell that had him scrambling out of the pocket. When he realized he couldn't continue to create time, Pindell started to hurry his passes. And when that happened...
PICK PARTY: Even without Moore, the Eagles stood strong in the secondary. Pindell began to panic and hurry his throws, leading to three interceptions: the aforementioned Cheevers pick, one by Lukas Denis returned for 56 yards from the goal line, and one by Taj-Amir Torres returned 65 yards to the house for a touchdown.
LICHTENBERG GOES OFF: Not in a good way, though. The Eagles' special teams, which have been stellar for much of the season, took a down turn last week against North Carolina State. That dipped even further against Connecticut. Colton Lichtenberg's field goal was blocked, though didn't look very good to begin with. He then went on to miss three extra points. This, of course, sets up a potential redemption for Mike Knoll in the Pinstripe Bowl, if Addazio decides to let him kick PATs again.
WHAT HAPPENS NOW: Well, the Eagles are going bowling for the fourth time in five years. What's left to be determined is whether BC is going to one of the booby bowls or a legitimate ACC one. That'll be determined next week against a Syracuse team that has absolutely nothing to play for. The Orange lost 56-10 at Louisville for its fourth consecutive loss. Since beating then-No. 2 Clemson in the Dome 27-24, the Orange lost 27-19 to Miami; 27-24 to FSU; 64-43 to Wake Forest; and now this loss to Louisville. At 4-7, the Orange might be able to get in with a 5-7 bowl berth waiver. But the Eagles have a big difference maker. Lose, and they'll be saddled with a game in Detroit or Annapolis or Shreveport. Win and the Eagles will, in all likelihood, be going to the best bowl game for them: the Pinstripe Bowl in New York.