Game Recap: BC 16 - Syracuse 13

BC picked up their fifth win of the season, hanging on against Syracuse 16-13. A largely quiet game, the Eagles were able to control the game on the ground and through a stout defensive effort.

It was an uneventful day for the high scoring Eagle offense. The Eagle rushing attack, while not as prolific as last season’s matchup, still put up nearly 200 yards on the ground. David Bailey and Travis Levy churned out small gains throughout the day. Bailey ended with 25 carries and 125 yards, while Levy had 17 carries and 73 yards and added 33 more in the air. The Eagles were not, however, able to turn these gains into touchdowns, allowing Syracuse to stay in the game.

BC opened up the scoring with a short field goal from Aaron Boumerhi. Boumerhi would convert on two more field goals in the contest, while missing two longer ones. Syracuse equalized at three on the ensuing drive at the start of the second quarter.

Zay Flowers connected with Phil Jurkovec for the only Eagle touchdown of the game. A perfect pass and a toe-tap touchdown gave the Eagles the 10-3 which they would carry to the end of the first half. It was Flowers’ sixth touchdown of the season. He ended the day with six catches and 64 yards. Jurkovec would crack 200 yards in the air, but was shaky throughout the game.

The BC defense held Syracuse for much of the game. Holding Syracuse to another field goal in the third quarter would have been the final points allowed were it not for a late touchdown by the Orange. Syracuse started freshman JaCobian Morgan in the game, but BC was able to keep him and the Syracuse offense at bay. With a few opportunities to tie the game in the second half, BC forced two turnovers late in the game. Jason Maitre picked off Morgan in the fourth quarter, and Luc Bequette forced and recovered a fumble. BC would go on to convert a final field goal and put the game to bed.

Syracuse was held to 239 total yards and only 52 yards on the ground. The BC defense sacked Morgan four times and held Syracuse to 3/11 on third down.

BC moves to 5-3 (4-3 ACC), and Syracuse falls to 1-7. BC will return home for the Phil Jurkovec revenge game against Notre Dame next week.