Boston College Returns From Bye Week to Face Wake Forest

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The bye week came at a really good time for the Boston College Eagles (2-4, 1-3) as injuries were starting to take their toll on the team. The Eagles’ offensive line was becoming a patchwork group. Eight different linemen have had a chance to start this season, with five different combinations already seen. Only center Drew Kendall has started every game and played the same position. It has wreaked havoc with a running game that has never gotten started. Pass protection for QB Phil Jurkovec has, at times, been a bit of an adventure. In the Atlantic Coast Conference excuses never work, teams have to find a way to get past things like injuries, and lack of consistency if they want to be a first-division squad. Despite the results, head coach Jeff Hafley likes the direction the program is heading in. It just needs to pay off with a few more wins.

This Saturday afternoon is no different as the Eagles head back out on the road for a conference game vs #13 Wake Forest (5-1, 1-1). Boston College leads the all-time series at 14-12-2. However, the Demon Deacons have won the last two meetings between the two schools. Since joining the ACC the Eagles are 9-6 vs Wake Forest. The last time BC made the trip to Winston-Salem, they came away with a 41-34 win. Boston College has struggled against teams ranked in the Top-25 Polls. In fact, the Eagles have lost the last 13 games vs ranked opponents with the last win coming in 2018 vs the Miami Hurricanes, 27-14. The Eagles are due.

Quarterback Phil Jurkovec has thrown for 1,355 yards in six games. He has averaged 5.29 yards per play this fall. Last season, in six games, he averaged 8.47 yards per play. No doubt the offensive line woes have contributed to these numbers being down. The lack of a running game has not helped either as Pat Garwo has only rushed for 240 yards so far this season. A more balanced attack would be a welcome sight as we head down the home stretch of this season. The Eagles remain a disciplined team on the field as they ranked first in the league and 10th in the country in penalty yards at 38.7 per game. The Eagles are second in the ACC with 5.3 penalties per game.

Wake Forest is coming off a 45-10 win over Army. They are one win shy of being bowl eligible. The victory over the Black Knights was their 12th straight non-conference win at home dating back to 2018. Since 2019, Wake Forest is 18-3 at home. It is also their 11th consecutive win in the month of October. They have gone a perfect 4-0 in the past two seasons. October has been a good month for the Demon Deacons. Dave Clawson has been the head coach now for nine seasons. Last season he took the Demon Deacons to a record-tying 11-5 mark which earned him Coach of the Year in the ACC. He has the third most wins in school history and is one of five head coaches to have a winning record at Wake.

Wake is an offensive powerhouse. They are the only ACC school to have averaged 30 points per game each season since 2017. Last season they topped 35 points in a game 12 times. Wake Forest has gone to a record six straight bowl games and unless the wheels come off they will soon make it seven in a row. On offense, they are led by QB Sam Hartman who owns every passing record there is at WF. He has the most consecutive games with a TD pass, most consecutive games with multiple TD passes, most TD passes in a single game, most career passing yards, and passing touchdowns. He is one of nine QBs in the league to throw for over 10,000 career yards. Hartman is the man that makes this offensive click and the guy the BC defense must find a way to keep in check, or it will be a long afternoon in Winston-Salem.

Wake is averaging 41 points per game and they have rushed for over 1,000 yards already. They have outscored their opponents in every quarter but the fourth. The third quarter was the best at 73-44. The defense is led by Ryan Smenda who leads the unit with 50 total tackles, and one fumble recovery. If there is a real area of concern for Boston College it could be that Wake has 40 sacks on the season, and the BC offensive line will be tested once again. Hartman is 99-of-153 for 1,442 yards and 16 TDs to only two picks. A.J. Perry is his favorite target in the passing game with 482 yards on 29 catches and four touchdowns. Like all good QBs, Hartman knows how to spread the ball around. Justice Ellison is the top ground gainer with 407 yards on 81 carries and three scores.

For Boston College to come away with the win, their offense needs to stay on the field and keep Wake off the field. Turnovers are always nice, however, Hartman does not make many mistakes. The Eagles’ front seven must get in his face and make it as difficult as possible for Hartman to get the ball downfield. A tough assignment to be sure but that’s life in the ACC.