BC-Duke Football Preview

BC-Duke Football Preview

September 18, 2020 · by · in Uncategorized

By Anthony Patrick Perez

Jeff Hafley makes his Boston College head coaching debut on the road, as the Eagles open their 2020 campaign versus ACC rival Duke on Saturday afternoon at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Known primarily for his work on the defensive side of the ball, Hafley’s linebacker corps will immediately look to make a statement versus the Blue Devils’ running attack that only managed 73 yards in last week’s loss to Notre Dame.

A 2019 All-ACC second team selection who led the conference with 72 solo tackles, fifth-year senior Max Richardson forms a tough-tackling trio alongside the returning Isaiah McDuffie (85 tackles in 2018 sophomore season) and John Lamot (career-high 74 tackles in 2019). With Richardson and McDuffie as the designated playmakers on the second level, Lamot’s stout run-stopping ability will be key holding down Duke senior running back Deon Jackson, who notched 15 carries for 52 yards.

Despite falling 27-13 to then-No. 10 Notre Dame, the Blue Devils were competitive for most of the game thanks to QB Chase Brice. The redshirt junior transfer from Clemson completed 20-of-27 passes for 259 yards and added a rushing touchdown versus the Fighting Irish, earning praises from Duke coach David Cutliffe.

Coming off a subpar 2019 where the Eagles placed 106th in the nation in total sacks, the BC defensive line has to step its game up to contain Duke’s emerging signal caller. Captain Marcus Valdez and Brandon Barlow both led the pass rush but only registered 2.5 sacks each. Cal transfer Luc Bequette’s imposing presence in the middle will boost the Eagles chances of collapsing the Duke pocket early on. Bequette, who tallied 130 tackles over four years with 12.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, pairs with fellow transfer Chibueze Onwuka at defensive tackle, where both first-time Eagles starters will be counted on to be a disruptive tandem in the trenches.

Given that the Eagles have Notre Dame transfer Phil Jurkovec as the likely starter under center, the BC offense will still be adjusting to new coordinator Frank Cignetti’s system. Establishing the running attack will give BC enough momentum to ignite its offense. With the departure of AJ Dillon, David Bailey now becomes the featured back. The junior was solid in 2019, rushing for 844 yards on 5.7 yards per carry and scoring seven touchdowns. BC also adds a new weapon with Ohio State transfer, wide receiver Jaelen Gill, who will look to make a good impression as he reunites with Coach Hafley.

In the teams’ last meeting at Durham back in 2015, the Blue Devils came out on top with a slim 9-7 win.

Now armed with notable transfers and returning starters, the Eagles’ defensive physicality has more than what it takes to stifle Duke. Combine this with a new-look offense that might just pull off a few surprises, the Eagles can hopefully begin the season with a road victory that sends the Blue Devils to their first 0-2 start since 2011.