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CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — Syracuse head coach Fran Brown instantly regretted his play call on a potential game-altering defensive play.

With the Orange trailing 30-28, a fourth-and-1 stop from the 18-yard line would get them the ball back midway through the fourth quarter. As Boston College snapped the ball from a jumbo formation, 10 Syracuse defenders crashed the line of scrimmage.

But instead of handing the ball off, backup quarterback Grayson James — who replaced injured starter Thomas Castellanos in the third quarter — faked a give to running back Kye Robichaux. This allowed tight end Jeremiah Franklin to slip down the seam wide-open, easily scoring a touchdown.

Brown revealed postgame he talked with Elijah Robinson regarding SU’s call, which he said went against his defensive coordinator’s judgment. Still, Robinson called the play.

“(Boston College head coach Bill) O’Brien out-coached me today,” Brown said.

While Franklin’s touchdown all but sealed the victory, it wouldn’t have been possible without BC establishing its run game. Syracuse (6-3, 3-3 Atlantic Coast) allowed a season-worst 313 rushing yards in its 37-31 loss to Boston College (5-4, 2-3 Atlantic Coast). The loss is SU’s third conference loss, effectively eliminating it from ACC regular season title contention.

The Eagles ran the ball 51 times, including 5-of-7 plays on their last scoring drive, before lining up for the pivotal fourth-and-1. On the play, BC had seven players lined up on the line of scrimmage.

Tight end Kamari Morales lined up as a fullback in front of James, Robichaux was positioned behind James and wide receiver Lewis Bond was out wide to the right matched against SU defensive back Clarence Lewis. Lewis was Syracuse’s only defender who dropped back into coverage.

“Fourth-and-1, you’re always going to think it’s a run,” SU linebacker Marlowe Wax said. “They slipped out, they schemed us up pretty good.”

The Orange sold out for the run after not containing it all game.

Boston College quickly established the run, gaining two first downs on four straight gives to Robichaux, who finished the game with 28 carries and 198 yards, after forcing Syracuse to punt. Fourth-stringer Jordan McDonald, who tallied 133 yards on 15 attempts, then broke off a 41-yard run before getting BC down to SU’s five-yard line on his ensuing touch.

Despite their success, the Eagles’ drive stalled out in the red zone before Liam Connor — attempting his first field goal of the season — pushed the 29-yarder wide right. Yet, Syracuse couldn’t capitalize, instantly going three-and-out. While the Orange forced a three-and-out of their own, LeQuint Allen Jr. quickly fumbled, giving BC the ball right back.

Following the turnover, Boston College, which accumulated 109 rushing yards on 12 first-quarter carries, continued pounding rock. This time, Robichaux turned three carries into 42 yards and a touchdown, giving BC a 7-0 with just under three minutes remaining in the first quarter.

The Orange’s offense again stalled out, continuing their first-quarter struggles. Including SU’s game against BC, it’s scored just three opening-quarter points over its last four contests.

While Syracuse’s defense forced a quick three-and-out to begin the second quarter, it quickly gave the ball back to Boston College following a turnover on downs. Upon the start of its drive, BC starting quarterback Castellanos hadn’t completed a pass.

Still, the Eagles ripped off five straight runs, getting them down to Syracuse’s nine-yard line. But facing third-and-5, Castellanos dropped back. He hit a wide-open Bond, which the receiver turned into a touchdown.

While Boston College’s prowess on the ground shined, Syracuse answered by resembling its early season passing attack. After throwing a career-worst five interceptions against Pittsburgh before attempting a season-low 35 passes versus Virginia Tech, Kyle McCord bounced back against BC. The Ohio State transfer completed 31-of-48 passes for 392 yards and two touchdowns.

Following Bond’s score, McCord connected with Oronde Gadsden II, who made a one-handed snag, for a 17-yard touchdown with 6:32 remaining in the first half. After getting held to just five receptions and 51 yards over SU’s last two games, Gadsden had eight receptions and 102 yards against the Eagles.

As Castellanos’ passing struggles persisted, Syracuse quickly forced a punt. A 29-yard run from McCord before back-to-back completions to Jackson Meeks — who had seven receptions and 105 yards — propelled the Orange down to BC’s goal line, setting up an Allen Jr. rushing touchdown to tie the score 14-14 two minutes before halftime.

Syracuse then continued its scoring run in the second half. Following a quick defensive three-and-out, which saw Castellanos suffer his injury, SU utilized a balanced passing and rushing attack. This led to an eight-play, 59-yard drive resulting in Allen Jr.’s second rushing score, giving Syracuse a 21-14 lead at the third quarter’s 8:36 mark.

But then Boston College bounced back. First, Robichaux turned three straight runs into 60 yards and his second touchdown to tie the game. Then, Donovan Ezeiruaku — who notched his 10th sack of the season earlier in the game — bull-rushed McCord and forced a strip-sack, which led to a safety. The Eagles finished the game with four sacks.

“Going into the game, we knew (BC) had a really good front four and that’s really the strong point of their defense,” McCord said.

The Eagles continued their tormenting rushing attack upon receiving the ensuing punt. On its 12-play, 67-yard drive that spanned nearly seven minutes, BC added nine carries and a touchdown to extend its lead to 30-21 in the final minute of the third quarter.

“They did the same thing, they ran the ball,” Wax said.

McCord and Co. bounced back with a touchdown drive, but Syracuse’s defense needed to force a stop to give its offense another chance. But as they had all game, the Eagles ran the ball down its throat before James’ touchdown to Franklin.

The Orange responded by kicking a field goal with 1:30 remaining, keeping them alive if they could recover the ensuing onside kick. On the first go-around, Meeks recovered the kick. However, Fadil Diggs was called for a penalty forcing SU to re-kick. This time, BC recovered, officially sealing the game.

However, it was Boston College’s rushing attack that put the Orange away long before it sealed the onsides kick and before the fourth-down conversion touchdown.

Published on November 9, 2024 at 3:51 pm

Contact Justin: justingirshon@gmail.com | @JustinGirshon