Before every football game this year, The Blue Zone will sit down with a football writer from the opposing school’s student newspaper to get the scoop on their team and season.
This week, The Chronicle’s Nick Martin spoke to the The Heights’ sports editor Michael Sullivan about this Saturday’s clash between Boston College and the Blue Devils.
The Chronicle: In reviewing Boston College, it doesn’t take one long to realize just how good the defense has been for this team. Although the offense couldn’t manage to score, the Eagles held No. 9 Florida State to 14 points and currently rank No. 2 in the nation in points allowed. That being said, we’re still at the point in the season where it’s hard to tell whether or not an unit is elite or not. Having watched them play real games against a top-10 team and a mediocre Northern Illinois squad, tell me: is this Boston College defense for real?
The Heights: They’re real, and they’re spectacular. It’s important to note how BC has given up its points, too. Against Florida State, one of those touchdowns came off a fumble recovery—against NIU, traditionally one of the country’s best mid-majors, one touchdown came off a kickoff return and another came following an 80-yard interception return that put the Huskies at BC’s 4-yard line. Defensive coordinator Don Brown has coached up this defensive front-seven, led by sophomore Harold Landry and senior Steven Daniels, to the point where it has become almost impossible to run on them.
TC: Flipping sides, the Duke defense has been having quite the campaign as well; last week’s destruction of Georgia Tech’s vaunted triple option was one of the better performances I’ve seen from any Blue Devil defense. I know the Eagles have had a while to compose themselves with the bye week, but this will still be the first game without starting quarterback Darius Wade, who was lost to a broken ankle. How do you feel the Boston College offense will fare at a rainy Wallace Wade Stadium Saturday and what will they need to do to find success against Duke?
TH: Not only are the Eagles without Wade, but they’ve lost starting running back Jonathan Hilliman possibly for the year with a broken foot. Head coach Steve Addazio is employing a two-quarterback system with speedy Jeff Smith and the more traditional Troy Flutie. So far they haven’t looked great, but they’ve at least been serviceable. Given BC’s run-heavy scheme, the rain should work in BC’s favor since Addazio can neutralize his own passing game by using his runners.
TC: Boston College is 3-1, but, as I mentioned, down a starting quarterback. That being said, the team boasts four backs with at least 100 yards rushing thus far. Is it fair to say the Eagles’ running backs are the most talented offensive group on the team, and who among them stands out to you at this juncture in the season? Any future Andre Williams among the group, perhaps?
TH: Well Hilliman would’ve been the Andre of this group. He reminds me a lot of Brandon Jacobs, a guy who can bowl over a linebacker and, when he has a strong offensive line as BC routinely has, he’s unstoppable. Now, Addazio will have to rely on Myles Willis and breakout star Tyler Rouse. Willis is an excellent outside runner and Rouse is sort of a Hilliman Lite—he doesn’t have the edge speed, but he’s the gym rat type that will pound through the middle. Both, however, are battling injuries—Willis is still feeling the after effects of mono that kept him out of Week One’s game against Maine, and Rouse suffered a head injury. But as long as they’re healthy, even sans Hilliman, BC’s running backs can compete with anyone.
TC: Duke safety and kickoff return specialist DeVon Edwards has terrorized kickoff coverage teams ever since he got to Durham, with the Yellow Jackets being the latest to fall victim to the Blue Devil return squad. Has there been any added emphasis on special teams this week?
TH: There sure as hell better be. The Eagles have been pitiful on special teams the last two seasons, in all facets. After giving up that kickoff return touchdown to Northern Illinois, plus punt return man Sherman Alston’s woes, Addazio has stressed that special teams will be the “swing vote” here going forward.
TC: Usually I try not to bring up the weather, but there is a hurricane coming through town. Has that had any effect on how the Eagles have been preparing for Saturday’s game?
TH: The Eagles have been unable to practice at Alumni Stadium for the last couple of days. The rain has forced early wakeup times so they can drive down to Gillette Stadium, home of the Patriots, in Foxborough, Mass., about a 40-minute drive. That could be the only problem BC has to face.
TC: What’s your final prediction for Saturday’s game?
TH: I came into this week expecting a Duke victory, but given the rain, both Thomas Sirk and the Eagles will be forced to rely heavily on the run game. While both teams have stifling defense, I give BC the edge solely because of that: 14-10 will be the final at Wallace Wade.
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