ACC Football: Boston College moves to 3-0 with win over Temple

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This past Saturday afternoon, the Boston College Eagles (3-0) of the ACC, had a new face at quarterback. For the first time this season and for the ninth time in his career at the Heights, Dennis Grosel was under center running the offense. He did what he was asked to do, manage the game and stay away from making critical mistakes that could impact the game in a negative way. Yes, his numbers are not eye-popping (5 of 13 for 34 yards, 1TD, 1 INT). What he did not do throwing the football his offensive line and running game did for him. The O-line controlled the line of scrimmage while a trio of running backs combined for 179 total net yards on 33 carries with two scores. Grosel himself added a rushing touchdown. The ground and pound approached worked to the tune of a 28-3 win.

The question now becomes is this the way BC will do things going forward on offense? In their first two games against Colgate and UMass, the Eagles showed a more balanced attack. On Saturday, the game plan looked more one-dimensional. BC gained 14 first downs, with nine of them coming on the ground. They averaged 4.7 yards per rush which is a number any coach can and should live with. But when facing better teams, as they will as the season moves along, will this be the pattern of success? Or does throwing the football down the field become something this team needs to show they can still do. It must be noted that Temple (1-2) did outgain the Eagles by a 245 to 238 margin, and ran more plays, 60 to 53. However, the eleven penalties the Owls committed were drive killers to be sure.

On defense, Boston College was very good. They sacked Temple quarterback Justin Lynch four times and were in his face all day. They limited the Owls to only 3-of-14 on third-down conversion attempts. The defense was around the ball all game recording five tackles for losses by game’s end. The only thing this unit did not do was force turnovers and on Saturday that was not necessary. They just never let Temple get started.

Boston College scored on four of their 11 drives for the game. They were a perfect four-for-four in the red zone, all things that will make a coaching staff happy. So film day looks to be a positive experience for everyone. Now the easy part of the schedule is over and from here on in it’s all power-5 conference and ACC teams starting with this Saturday game vs Missouri (2-1, 0-1) from the Southeastern Conference. Can the Eagles get back to more of a balanced attack against easily the best team they have faced to date?

Come Saturday afternoon we will find out. So stay tuned for more news from Boston College and the ACC right here on NGSC Sports.