After exploding for 399 rushing yards against Georgia Tech, Boston College hopes its newfound ground game can crack one of the nation’s toughest defenses in Duke.
Key points
- Boston College’s rushing attack peaked with 399 yards against Georgia Tech, providing a blueprint for the Duke game.
- Duke ranks second‑best in the ACC for points and yards allowed per game, making its defense a major obstacle.
- Center Michael Crounse’s return restores stability to the Eagles’ offensive line after an early‑season injury.
- Tight end Kaelan Chudzinski remains a game‑time decision after an accelerated recovery from an Achilles injury.
Through six games, Boston College’s offensive line has shown flashes of consistency, posting between 100 and 190 rushing yards per contest, but it was the 399‑yard rushing outburst against Georgia Tech that signaled a turning point. The Eagles amassed 500 total yards in a 49‑27 win, a performance coach Bill O’Brien called “arguably the best rushing performance of the Bill O’Brien era.”
The next test arrives on Saturday at noon in Durham, where the Eagles (4‑3, 2‑2 ACC) will face Duke’s front seven. The Blue Devils (5‑2, 2‑2) allow the second‑fewest points per game (16) and the second‑fewest yards (301.3) in the conference, trailing only Miami, and have held three opponents to single‑digit scores, including a 16‑point effort against Virginia last week.
Running game breakthrough
Boston College’s line will lean on the return of senior center Michael Crounse, who came back strong after a knee injury in the season opener. Alongside breakout left tackle Veguer Jean‑Jumeau and steady play from guards Robert Smith and Judah Pruitt, the unit aims to keep the momentum going. “I just kept calling run,” O’Brien said. “It was a game where you knew you could call a run and it was going to gain yards.”
Tight end Kaelan Chudzinski, a sophomore who led all freshman tight ends last season with 24 catches for 313 yards, remains a “game‑time decision” after an accelerated recovery from an Achilles injury. O’Brien noted that Chudzinski was expected to miss the season, but credits the player, trainer Michael Vigneau and rehab director Joe Van Allen for his progress.
Duke’s defensive strengths
Defensively, Duke’s offense is tied for the third‑fewest sacks allowed nationally (three), while Boston College’s pass rush, anchored by Demetrius Ballard and E’Lla Boykin, sits just one sack shy of matching last year’s total of 17. Both linemen rank in the ACC’s top ten for sacks per game (0.75). Ballard emphasized minimizing mistakes and using his length against a disciplined Duke line.
Boston College hopes the rhythm it found against Georgia Tech will translate against a disciplined opponent. “Will we be able to get into a rhythm? That’s the chess match,” O’Brien said, noting the Eagles are eyeing their first three‑game winning streak since 2023.
Reader questions
When and where is the Boston College vs. Duke football game?
The game is scheduled for Saturday at noon in Durham, North Carolina.
What makes Duke’s defense notable this season?
Duke allows the second‑fewest points (16) and yards (301.3) per game in the ACC and is tied for the third‑fewest sacks allowed nationally.
Which Boston College players are key to the upcoming matchup?
Quarterback Mason McKenzie, running back Bo MacCormack, center Michael Crounse, left tackle Veguer Jean‑Jumeau, and pass‑rushers Demetrius Ballard and E’Lla Boykin are highlighted as pivotal.
Source: bostonglobe.com
