Boston College Football Spring game

Read Time:3 Minute, 53 Second

The Jay McGillis Memorial Spring game is the official end of practice for the Boston College Eagles. This game gives the players and coaching staff an opportunity to put what they have been working on since March in a controlled game situation. The goal in a game like this is to evaluate the players and most importantly stay away from any injuries that might affect summer camp when that gets started in August. The way this spring game was being played, the first two quarters were as if a real game was being played. There was no kickoff to start things. The second half was more of a different game situation.

Emmett Morehead was the starting QB for team Gold. During his team’s first drive, Morehead was able to move the team down the field through the air. However, the drive did not score any points because of an interception in the right corner of the endzone by sophomore CB Amari Jackson.

Team Maroon was being run by freshman quarterback Jacobe Robinson. His first drive ended with a sack, and the ball was returned to Team Gold. The second drive saw some good cornerback coverage from Graduate DB Alex Washington and from senior DB Khari Johnson. Redshirt junior Matthew Rueve ran the second drive for Team Gold. Through the first two drives for both sides, the defenses seemed to be ahead of the offenses. The first quarter ended scoreless. Not sure that is what the coaching staff and the small gathering wanted to see.

Morehead’s drive to begin the second quarter saw some positive results. He was able to hook up with WR Taji Johnson and eventually with Jeremiah Franklin in the endzone with the game’s first legitimate points. The next time Morehead had the football, the result was not so good. A strip sack by DE Neto Okpala caused the second turnover of the half for Morehead. Rueve took the turnover and scored his first TD of the game. There was a passing play to redshirt freshman Sione Hala to the four-yard line. From there, it was a four-yard touchdown pass to redshirt junior Charlie Gordinier finishing off the drive. Morehead’s third turnover of the half was his second INT as Jackson picked him off again at the four-yard line. The first half ended with two touchdowns. One for each side.

The second half was more about different situations that can occur during a football game on both sides of the ball. Connor Lytton hit a FG from 27 yards out on the first situation of the second half. Offensive drives in the third quarter started from midfield. Redshirt freshman Peter Delaportas got some snaps under center. The second half also featured a running time clock. Field goals from different distances were tried. Liam Connor showed a strong leg in his attempt. The defense picked off another pass, this one by Cj Clinkscales of Delaportas in the right corner of the endzone. Redshirt sophomore Jack Brandon also got a chance under center. Brandon was picked off the fourth interception of the day by the defense and this one was taken in by freshman Carter Davis. For a spring game, it could be said a few too many INTs were being thrown. The ground game did score as redshirt junior Andre Hines took a handoff and swept left untouched into the end zone from 10 yards out. To this point, there were still more INTs (4) than touchdowns (3). That INT number grew to five when Hines got his second of the day. That turned out to be the final play of the spring game.

After the game coach Haffley talked about the spring. He loved “the way the defense took the ball away.” He had no interest in judging anyone in the spring game. He did go on to say this was the most physical spring since he has been at BC. He believes this team “is bonding well” and he likes the depth and competition up front. Elijah Jones likes the way the defensive mates got their hands on the ball. He said “Everyone is fitting in like a glove” and “We fly around.” Dino Tomlin said he would have liked “the offense to be a lot cleaner.” But he was quick to add “We are more confident.” QB Emmitt Morehead said it was a “really good spring.” He thinks this offense will be really good in the red zone and score a lot of points this fall..There is still more of the offense playbook yet to install, however, it should be all in place for summer camp in August.