Spiffy Evans Fractures Clavicle, Out for Season

The Boston Globe's Michael Vega has reported that head coach Steve Addazio confirmed an injury to Boston College wide receiver Spiffy Evans.  Evans fractured his clavicle during the loss to North Carolina on Saturday and will miss the remainder of the season.

BC FB coach Steve Addazio reported WR Spiffy Evans suffered season-ending fractured clavicle at UNC. David Dudeck will step up in his place.

— Michael Vega (@MBVEGA) October 28, 2013

Evans struggled to get free from cornerbacks through the first seven games of the regular season, with just seven catches for less than 100 yards on the season.  His best game this year came against Army, when he caught four balls for 63 yards with a long of 26 yards.  He failed to catch a ball against UNC this past weekend, and he failed to catch a ball earlier this season in the 35-7 loss to USC.  In all other games, he caught one pass, including a 22-yard touchdown against Wake Forest.  He had 20 catches a year ago and was expected to join Amidon as a second passing threat with Bobby Swigert sidelined with a medical redshirt and knee injury this season.

He was beginning to establish himself as a threat on special teams, however, averaging nearly 12 yards a return on punts.  He averaged 25 yards per return last year, including one brought back for a touchdown.  He was sparingly used in kick return scenarios for the Eagles this year, returning only four kicks for an average of 16 yards per return.

Evans' loss deals a slight blow to a passing game that's been hit heavily by struggles in recent weeks.  Against both Clemson and North Carolina, receivers failed to get separation from defensive backs, forcing Chase Rettig to hold onto the ball too long in the pocket and either make bad decisions or get sacked.  Rettig himself had locked onto one receiver in recent weeks, targeting Alex Amidon more often and not looking off to check downs.  Removing Evans all but takes away any potential deep threat besides Amidon, who has 46 catches on the season and a 69-yard scoring strike on his resume.  No other BC receiver has 10 catches this year.

Because he has appeared in seven games this year, Evans does not qualify for a medical redshirt.  That means the junior will come back next year for his senior year, amounting to what is a final campaign next season.

Per the report, David Dudeck will now step into the role vacated by Evans.  Dudeck is a converted running back/safety who likewise has struggled to get open.  Playing in only five games this year, Dudeck has eight receptions, tied with Bobby Wolford for all non-Amidon receivers.  He is averaging only eight yards per catch and has just one touchdown grab with a long play of 20 yards.