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With the start of a new season, Boston College football fans had high hopes that the Eagles run game would be rejuvenated with the three-headed RB monster that was juniors Rolandan Finch, Andrew Williams and sophomore Tahj Kimble. Over the offseason, we even bandied about the idea that one of these three backs could eclipse the 1,000 yard mark this season. At the midpoint of the season, it hasn't exactly panned out that way.
Sophomore running back Tahj Kimble will have surgery on the injured knee that has sidelined him in each of the Eagles' last three games. The surgery will likely end his season.
Over the summer, Kimble bruised his knee in a seven-on-seven drill and was subsequently held out of several scrimmages and practices. His injury later resurfaced about a month ago, forcing the sophomore to miss BC's game against Clemson. So far this season, Kimble's impact has been felt more in the passing game than in the ground attack. Kimble carried the ball 17 times for 70 yards in the Eagles' first three games of the season, but has not seen the field since. In the passing game, Kimble shined in the loss to Miami, catching 8 balls for 130 yards and a touchdown.
The other player in BC's trio of running backs, Rolandan Finch, has been in Spaz's dog house since committing a costly redzone turnover in the loss to Northwestern. On a first and goal from the Northwestern 5, with the Eagles trailing 12-10, Finch fumbled the ball which was recovered by Northwestern's Chi Chi Ariguzo. Finch hasn't seen the field since.
"These guys all understand the philosophies," Spaziani said. "Nothing's tattooed on you. You earned it. You keep it. Dre's doing a good job and [Dudeck] has been real good. Giving us what we want."
Finch has battled injuries of his own this season, but sounds like he is practicing and healthy enough to see the field. Don't count on that happening this weekend against the 69th ranked Georgia Tech run defense.
"Deuce is working and practicing hard," Spaziani said. "But you won't see him."
With Kimble's season likely over and Finch stuck on the bench, Boston College will likely turn to Williams and freshman David Dudeck to carry the workload for the six games left on the schedule.