Life on the football field has not treated the Boston College Eagles well in the month of October.
After a blazing 4-0 start to the 2021 season, including a win over Missouri, the Eagles have found things to be not-so-rosy in conference play. It’s been a downward spiral since, beginning with a close loss to Clemson.
This was followed by a second-half collapse in a 33-7 loss N.C. State and a stumbling effort against Louisville, falling 28-14.
Blame can be spread across the board as Boston College looks again to find their identity, especially on offense. There’s definitely a lot to pick through and catch up on as Boston College remains on the road, hoping to snap their three-game losing streak as they take on Syracuse (4-4, 1-3).
Boston College Eagles: The good
Despite the struggles amid the losing streak, there has been positive stuff happening. Namely, a running attack finding ways to pick up big chunks of yards.
Much of that is falling on the shoulders of Pat Garwo III.
Garwo has been steady all season in the rejuvenated Boston College running game. Though likely not the way head coach Jeff Hafley planned it, seeing the running backs execute and produce again is a good sign..
The redshirt sophomore has 605 yards and five touchdowns this season, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. He hasn’t had a 100-yard game in October, partially due to going away from the running game in the second-half of games.
Alec Sinkfield has come on lately, too, creating a nice 1-2 attack for the Eagles.
Sinkfield has seen his workload increase and responded nicely, with 16 carries for 101 yards in the last two games.
Jaelen Gill had a nice game against N.C. State (5 rec., 71 yards) and the tight end unit has come together as a viable threat to score game in and game out.
On the other side of the ball, the defense has (mostly) been doing all it can to keep Boston College in games. They forced four turnovers in the loss to Louisville and Josh DeBerry has been a force in a very talented, hard-hitting secondary.
DeBerry has two interceptions and is second on the team with 37 tackles, including four tackles-for-loss. He’s consistently around the ball, making positive things happen each game.
The defense has been playing well but, like the offense, definitely struggles.
Boston College Eagles: The bad
While the defense has been the main factor in keeping Boston College in games, one glaring weakness has been evident all season. The ability to get sacks and pressure on the opposing quarterback has been lacking, with the Eagles collecting only nine sacks.
Sacks, too, have been an issue on offense as of late.
The last two games have seen Boston College allow six sacks, after allowing only seven in the first five games. Some of that can be attributed to the offensive line and some injury battles. But play calling and Dennis Grosel have contributed as well.
There were high hopes for Grosel in effectively replacing the injured Phil Jurkovec. A player with plenty of game experience, Grosel seemed poised to keep this offense rolling.
That simply hasn’t happened.
Grosel has at times looked like the veteran he is but more often than not, his performance has been akin to a true freshman thrown into a bad situation.
To be clear, it’s not just him but he certainly hasn’t helped himself. Grosel is completing 58.3 percent with 1123 yards, throwing for six touchdowns and seven interceptions.
The last two games have seen even a greater drop-off as Grosel is 38-66 for 332 yards.
A result of Grosel and the offense’s struggles is the lack of production from Zay Flowers. Flowers has only 11 receptions for 120 yards in the last three games and has only found the end zone twice in 2021.
Everyone knows the ball needs to get into Flowers’ hands. A concerted effort was made early last week against Louisville, as the first three plays seemed designed for him.
Flowers was able to finish with four catches for 43 yards. Ultimately, centering things around him is great but it doesn’t help that when he does get open, the ball doesn’t reach him.
Boston College Eagles: The ugly
An abysmal third quarter against N.C. State can be seen as the turning point if this season doesn’t turn around for Boston College.
Down only 10-7 at halftime, the game had a feeling of another close affair. Instead, a special teams miscue, a Grosel interception, and a long pass play all contributed to Boston College’s woes. A close game had spun on its head and the Eagles trailed 31-7 after three quarters.
Inefficiency and finding a rhythm on offense have also been a huge thorn. Grosel is missing on passes or spotting open receivers. And drops have been a huge issue, too. It’s not improbable to think that if Grosel struggles again, Hafley may turn to someone else to shake the doldrums out.
Hopefully, it won’t come to that. Boston College has won the last two years against Syracuse — both on the road — and has a good chance to find that win column again. If the defense stays the course and the offense can find their zen, things can get back on track. An ACC title may not be the end game, but a winning season is still very much in the cards.