PLAYERS TO WATCH
–RB AJ Dillon, a preseason All-American, continues to be hampered by an ankle problem but continues to play. Limping, he ran the ball a season-high 37 times in last week’s 22-21 loss to Florida State, gaining 116 yards and scoring twice. He is the first BC player ever to run for 1,000 yards in each of their first two seasons. Dillon has 1,052 yards this season and 2,241 for his career.
–QB Anthony Brown was injured on the first drive of the loss to No. 2 Clemson, winding up in the hospital with what Addazio called “an abdominal injury.” But he played at Florida State and had an up and down performance that saw him go 18-of-36 for 297 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. It was a gutsy outing but not quite enough to get the win.
–DE Zach Allen continues to add to his resume. Clearly a focus of the Clemson offense, he was in on four tackles, one for loss, and had a pass breakup and two quarterback hits in the loss — but blocked a field goal and was everywhere at Florida State. He was in on six tackles, three solo, and had a sack, a pass breakup and quarterback hit. For the season, he has 6.5 sacks.
–CB Hamp Cheevers, who usually plays against taller receivers, came down with his seventh interception of the season in the loss to Florida State which gives him the national lead in picks.
SERIES HISTORY: Syracuse leads Boston College 31-20 in a series that began in 1924. But BC is 13-11 against the Orange in Chestnut Hill and clubbed Syracuse 42-14 at the Carrier Dome last season.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “It’s fair. You know, I think when you’re dealing with young guys, there’s a lot of components to motivation, right. But this is the last game of the regular season. So I think it is good to focus on rivalry week and focus on eight wins.” — Coach Steve Addazio on getting his players to refocus on Syracuse.
