Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) — Backup quarterback Grayson James threw an 18-yard touchdown to tight end Jeremiah Franklin on a fourth-and-1 play late in the game, and Boston College held off Syracuse 37-31 on Saturday in the 100th anniversary of the schools’ first meeting.
The Eagles (5-4, 2-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) rushed for 313 yards, halting a three-game losing streak and moving a win away from bowl eligibility in coach Bill O’Brien’s first season.
Kye Robichaux ran for 198 yards and 2 TDs, and Jordan McDonald had 133 yards with a score for BC. James completed 5 for 6 passes for 51 yards.
Kyle McCord went 31-of-48 for 392 yards and two TDs for Syracuse (6-3, 3-3).
BC quarterback Thomas Castellanos limped off the field after the opening drive in the third quarter. He had completed just 2-of-7 passes for 14 yards with a TD and interception.
McDonald’s 13-yard score gave the Eagles a 30-21 edge late in the third.
McCord’s second TD pass, a 12-yarder to Darrell Gill Jr. early in the fourth, sliced it to 30-28 before James’ pass to a wide-open Franklin over the middle.
Syracuse erased an early 14-point deficit and took the lead on LeQuint Allen’s second TD run of the game, a 4-yarder midway into the third quarter.
BC answered back, tying it on Robichaux’s 14-yard run three plays later.
Coming off a frustrating loss against Louisville when they blew a 20-0 lead before a bye week, the Eagles started fast, opening the two-touchdown lead on Castellanos’ 9-yard TD pass to Lewis Bond midway into the second.
CONSOLATION SCORE
The Eagles took a 23-21 lead on a safety when defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku — part of a group sack that forced McCord’s fumble deep in Syracuse territory — kicked the ball and it went through the back of the end zone as he was trying to pick it up.
TAKEAWAYS
Syracuse: It was second straight week that the Orange fell into an early hole. This time, the explosive offense led by McCord couldn’t bail them out because their run defense was terrible.
Boston College: The offense became one-dimensional in the opening half when the Eagles threw for just 14 yards. Castellanos had success running last season, but teams seem to have caught up and seems he broke through are closed.
UP NEXT
Syracuse: At California next Saturday.
Boston College: At No. 13 SMU next Saturday.
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