BOSTON — In a thrilling encounter celebrating the century mark of their first matchup, backup quarterback Grayson James showcased his poise by connecting with tight end Jeremiah Franklin for an 18-yard touchdown on a crucial fourth-and-1 late in the game. This key play allowed Boston College to secure a 37-31 victory over Syracuse on Saturday.
The Eagles improved their record to 5-4 and 2-3 within the Atlantic Coast Conference, snapping a disheartening three-game losing streak. They are now just one victory shy of bowl eligibility as they navigate through their early season under the guidance of coach Bill O’Brien.
Kye Robichaux was a standout performer for Boston College, accumulating 198 rushing yards and scoring twice, while Jordan McDonald added 133 yards and another touchdown. Meanwhile, James completed five of his six passes for a total of 51 yards.
For Syracuse, Kyle McCord showed strong command, completing 31 of 48 attempts, resulting in 392 yards and two touchdowns. However, Boston College’s Thomas Castellanos faced difficulties; he limped off the field after the initial drive of the third quarter, ending with a completion record of just 2-of-7 for 14 yards, including one touchdown and one interception.
McDonald’s 13-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter put the Eagles ahead 30-21, but Syracuse fought back. McCord’s second touchdown— a 12-yard connection with Darrell Gill Jr.—narrowed the gap to 30-28 before James’s touchdown pass extended the lead once again.
In a remarkable turn of events, Syracuse made an impressive recovery after trailing by 14 points early, eventually taking the lead on LeQuint Allen’s second touchdown of the day—a four-yard rush that came midway through the third quarter. Just three plays later, Boston College responded swiftly, tying the score with Robichaux’s 14-yard run.
The Eagles gained momentum quickly after a disappointing loss to Louisville, where they relinquished a 20-point lead before a bye week. They surged ahead, establishing a two-touchdown lead following Castellanos’ 9-yard touchdown pass to Lewis Bond in the second quarter.
Boston College added to their advantage with a unique safety. Defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku was part of a group sack that forced McCord to fumble in Syracuse’s end, and in the attempt to recover the ball, it inadvertently rolled through the back of the end zone.
Key observations from this matchup highlight Syracuse’s ongoing battle with early deficits, having faced similar struggles the previous week. Despite their high-octane offense, McCord’s efforts were thwarted by a lackluster run defense that ultimately proved costly.
For Boston College, the first half saw them become overly reliant on the run game, with a meager 14 yards through the air. Castellanos, once a dual-threat quarterback last season, has struggled to replicate his past success as defenses have adapted.
Looking ahead, Syracuse is set to face California next Saturday, while Boston College prepares for a challenging matchup against No. 13 SMU on the same day.