By Grant Flood
The Boston College Eagles soared to a 3-1 record at the start of the 2020-21 campaign with a convincing win against Duke, a wild finish against Texas State and an overtime battle against Pittsburgh. The team’s only loss came to top 25, North Carolina in the last few seconds to go in the game. Sophomore quarterback and former Notre Dame backup, Phil Jurkovec has found his home with two game winning drives and tossing over 1,000 yards. The Eagles defense has been very sturdy as well, having 12 sacks and 5 interceptions throughout the first 4 games.
First game of the year against the Duke Blue Devils, Jurkovec threw precisely 300-yards along with 2 touchdown passes, Zay Flowers, Boston’s top receiver, tallied 162-yards and a 1 touchdown averaging an incredible 32.4 yards per catch. The defense picked off Chase Brice twice and the Eagles thumped the Blue Devils 26-6.
Jurkovec slowed down in Week 2 as Texas State pressured the inexperienced quarterback and shut down the run game. Despite the lack luster first three quarters, Jurkovec lead to scoring drives twice in the last two minutes, the game tying touchdown to Hunter Long with 1:14 to go and then drove his offense into Aaron Boumerhi’s range to hit a game winning field goal as time expires, Eagles beat the Bobcats 24-21.
The following week against 12th ranked North Carolina, Boston suffered a heartbreaker as Sam Howell threw for 225-yards and 2 touchdowns, Michael Carter had 16 rushes for 121-yards, the Eagles running defense was one of the best in the ACC before the 26-22 loss. Not to panic Eagles’ fans, Boston College would beat the Pittsburgh Panthers in a wild overtime finish 31-30. Jurkovec just like in Week 1 used Zay Flowers to his advantage, Flowers torched the Panthers defense catching 6 for 162-yards and 3 touchdowns including the game winner in overtime!
Boston College is currently ranked 5th in the ACC with their strong 3-1 record, if Phil Jurkovec and Zay Flowers continue to shred apart defenses like they did against Duke and Pittsburgh, this offense will be a huge X-factor towards Jurkovec’s draft stock if they can keep up the high level of play against top level competition. The defense has also stepped up to the challenge as former UMaine defensive end, Maximilian Roberts leads the way with 2.5 sacks and linebacker, Isaiah McDuffie’s team leading 41 total tackles with 28 solo and 13 combined. The one negative this season has been the running game as David Bailey has struggled immensely, the Junior has so far tallied 48 rushes for 148-yards with only 1 touchdown. If Bailey is featured more in the game plan and Jurkovec continues his hot streak, this team can crack the top 25 before the season ends.
Boston’s true test lies ahead against Trevor Lawrence and the No. 1 rank Clemson Tigers on Halloween night at Memorial Stadium a.k.a “Death Valley.” Is this omen a menacing outcome for the Eagles?
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