Faculty Sports activities
James totaled 237 yards passing and two whole touchdowns in his first begin since taking up as BC’s high quarterback.
When Boston Faculty and Southern Methodist met within the Fenway Bowl final yr, the Eagles rallied within the fourth quarter to stun the closely favored Mustangs.
In Saturday’s rematch, in opposition to an much more highly effective SMU crew sitting atop the Atlantic Coast Convention, BC almost did it once more.
This time, nevertheless, the No. 14 Mustangs squeaked out a 38-28 win in a back-and-forth thriller in Dallas. The Eagles (5-5, 2-4 ACC) gave themselves an opportunity, however SMU registered back-to-back sacks with lower than two minutes left and Boston Faculty trying to find a signature drive trailing by 3.
“I really feel like we had been capable of transfer the ball like we needed to,” BC quarterback Grayson James mentioned. “We simply didn’t execute in essential occasions like we wanted to.”
With James beneath heart, Boston Faculty’s offense featured the kind of versatility it hadn’t proven in current weeks. The Eagles’ undermanned protection, nevertheless, struggled to stymie the Mustangs (9-1, 6-0).
BC was aggressive on fourth down, changing on three of six makes an attempt — an indication of respect for a high-powered SMU offense averaging the sixth-most factors (40.1) within the Soccer Bowl Subdivision.
“I don’t actually assume we stopped them in any respect,” Boston Faculty coach Invoice O’Brien mentioned. “They in all probability stopped themselves. I felt like we wanted 40 factors to win the sport. I used to be proper about that.”
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings discovered Roderick Daniels Jr. for a 15-yard strike with 7:42 left within the first quarter to place the Mustangs forward. With linebackers Kam Arnold and Owen McGowan sidelined, the Eagles confronted a steep problem wrangling SMU’s explosive playmakers.
SMU prolonged the margin to 10-0 by way of one quarter on a 35-yard discipline objective from Collin Rogers within the last minute. The Mustangs racked up 146 whole yards within the quarter, in comparison with 31 for the Eagles, and really a lot resembled the nation’s No. 14 crew.
With James (18 for 32, 237 yards, TD, INT, speeding TD) as a catalyst, BC discovered a rhythm early within the second. James, who supplanted Thomas Castellanos because the starter this week, confirmed why O’Brien determined to offer him the ball.
“He’s been prepared the entire season,” linebacker Joe Marinaro mentioned. “Ever since he received right here.”
James hit Lewis Bond for 23 yards, then Kamari Morales on fourth and 5, organising a 2-yard landing plunge from Kye Robichaux. Robichaux, who erupted for 198 yards and two scores in a comeback win over Syracuse final Saturday, continues to dazzle.
Southern Methodist answered when Brashard Smith pushed the margin to 17-7 on a 4-yard scamper with 5:53 remaining within the half.
The Eagles once more transformed on fourth down, with James discovering Jeremiah Franklin, then survived third and 20 with a reception from Reed Harris (4 catches, 78 yards). That led to a 13-yard landing go from James to Morales with 1:03 left within the half. After a primary quarter spent feeling out the opposition, James turned extra aggressive within the second.
O’Brien mentioned he’s happy with James for stepping in, including that the Eagles have “plenty of confidence” in him.
“As video games have gone on, I really feel extra assured and extra snug,” James mentioned. “We are able to execute higher as an offense, simply getting in that groove, discovering a rhythm. I might say I undoubtedly felt that.”
James sprayed the ball, connecting with six completely different pass-catchers within the half. He supplied a deep-ball menace and degree of fluidity the Eagles had been missing with Castellanos beneath heart.
Earlier than halftime, stress from Khari Johnson led to a Carter Davis interception, and BC gave the impression to be on the verge of taking the lead. As a substitute, Isaiah Nwokobia swooped in and picked off a low James go on the goal-line. Smith ripped off a 45-yard rush, organising a 41-yard Rogers discipline objective as time expired.
“That was a horrible sequence of performs,” O’Brien mentioned.
Regardless of permitting 281 whole yards, together with 130 after the catch, the Eagles discovered themselves down one rating, 20-14, at halftime in opposition to the ACC’s high crew.
James — taking part in in entrance of 30-plus members of the family and associates simply 15 miles from his Duncanville, Texas, residence — showcased his velocity on a 20-yard landing run early within the third. Castellanos, identified for his shiftiness, didn’t have a rush of 20 yards all season.
SMU responded instantly, as Jennings (24 for 35, 298 yards, 3 TDs, INT) delivered a 38-yard dart to Jordan Hudson to place the Mustangs forward, 28-21. Rogers drilled a 37-yard discipline objective to push it to 31-21 with 4:02 left within the third.
However BC by no means relented, trimming the deficit to 31-28 on a 3-yard dive from Robichaux (21 carries, 90 yards, 2 TDs) with 5:52 to go. Isaiah Farris helped the Eagles safe a crucial cease, and Jordan McDonald picked up a important first down on fourth and 1 from the BC 29. McDonald, who was on the observe squad as BC’s fifth-string working again not way back, has carved out a important function in current weeks.
“He actually earned it,” Marinaro mentioned. “He’s been taking advantage of his alternative.”
The Eagles’ last hope ended when Kobe Wilson (16 tackles) and Jahfari Harvey took down James on back-to-back performs, forcing a turnover on downs. Key’Shawn Smith scored from 5 yards out with eight seconds left to punctuate an SMU triumph.
James acknowledged he ought to have tried to throw it deep as a last-ditch effort.
“It’s a troublesome state of affairs to be in, so it’s not all the time going to be fairly or excellent, however simply give us an opportunity to win,” James mentioned. “Something can occur. I’ve received to get the ball out of my palms and never take sacks. That’s fully on me.”
If the Eagles play like they did Saturday, they’ll have a shot to beat North Carolina and Pittsburgh, the final two groups on their schedule.
“We struggle,” O’Brien mentioned. “Now we have a troublesome soccer crew. We’re not there but.”
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