Eagles Show Resilience in Close Battle Amidst Quarterback Transition
Dallas, TX — In a game that showcased heart, determination, and a newfound offensive spark, the Boston College Eagles narrowly missed upsetting No. 14 SMU, falling 38-28 on Saturday afternoon at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Despite the loss, the Eagles demonstrated they could compete toe-to-toe with elite competition, providing hope for the future of the program under head coach Bill O’Brien.
The contest was a high-scoring shootout that remained tight until the final moments. The Eagles (5-5, 2-4 ACC) seized a 21-20 lead early in the second half, but the Mustangs (9-1, 6-0 ACC) managed to regain control with pivotal plays down the stretch. The late touchdown by SMU didn't fully reflect the intensity and closeness of a game where both teams exchanged blows throughout.
Grayson James Shines in Starting Role
Stepping into the spotlight amid a week filled with drama and distractions, junior quarterback Grayson James delivered an impressive performance in his second start of the season. James completed 18 of 32 passes for 237 yards and a touchdown, also adding a go-ahead 20-yard rushing touchdown on the opening drive of the second half—the longest run by a BC quarterback this season.
"Did a good job. Very proud of Grayson stepping into that situation," O’Brien said postgame. "We got a lot of confidence in Grayson. Grayson did a good job, just we didn't do enough, right, in all three phases, just didn't do enough. Didn't coach it good enough. Like I said, give SMU a lot of credit. They've got a good team."
James's connection with his receivers, particularly wide receiver Reed Harris and the tight ends, was a highlight. Harris set career highs with four receptions for 78 yards, while tight ends Kamari Morales and Jeremiah Franklin combined for eight catches and 76 yards. Morales caught his fifth touchdown of the season, becoming the first BC tight end since 2020 to reach that mark.
When asked about James's rapport with his targets, O’Brien remarked, "Yeah, they did a good job. They're good. Yeah, good combination of guys. Happy for Reed. Reed came up big in the game. Tight ends always come up big. They're good players."
Offense Finds Its Rhythm
The Eagles' offense, which had struggled with consistency earlier in the season, found new life against the Mustangs. Running back Kye Robichaux powered the ground game with 90 yards on 21 carries, scoring two touchdowns to bring his season total to eight.
Reflecting on the offensive performance, O’Brien said, "Yeah, I think it started out slow, but it got better as the game went on. Just once again, just didn't play 60 minutes, so give SMU a lot of credit. They did a good job today. They got a good football team."
O’Brien's aggressive strategy included going for it on several fourth downs, a decision driven by the need to keep pace with SMU's high-powered offense.
"It was a lot of gonna go for it on fourth downs," O’Brien explained. "We were really struggling to stop them. I don't really think we stopped them at all. They probably stopped themselves. So, I felt like we needed 40 points to win the game which I was right about that. We were gonna [go for it] unless it was 4th-and-10, 4th-and-9. But all the fourth downs were manageable, 4th-and-5 or less. So we went for it. Think there was one 4th-and-7, but as long as it was manageable, we were going for it. We had to score touchdowns."
Defensive Efforts and Challenges
Defensively, the Eagles faced a formidable SMU offense. Linebacker Daveon Crouch led the team with a career-high 10 tackles, while safety Carter Davis notched his second interception of the season. Captain Joe Marinaro, a former walk-on making his first career start at middle linebacker, contributed a career-high eight tackles.
Despite these individual efforts, O’Brien acknowledged the defense's struggles. "We're not there yet. Like I said, give SMU credit. They've got a good team. They’re a top, they're a potential playoff team. We fight, we just, if you're going to win a game like that, you have to make plays in critical moments and we weren't able to do that."
Resilience Amid Adversity
The game capped off a tumultuous week that saw former starting quarterback Thomas Castellanos enter the transfer portal. The team rallied behind James, displaying unity and commitment despite the distractions.
When asked about the team's battle in a hostile environment against a top-ranked opponent, O’Brien said, "We fight. I mean, we got a tough team. We have a tough football team."
The decision to start James appears validated by the offensive improvement and the team's competitive spirit. O’Brien expressed confidence in James's ability to lead the team forward.
Looking Forward
With a 5-5 record, the Eagles remain one win away from bowl eligibility. The performance against SMU provides a foundation to build upon as they prepare for the final games of the season.
"Got to coach it better, No. 1, myself, starts with me," O’Brien admitted. "Got to do a better job of coaching, and we'll show up next week."
Boston College returns home to play North Carolina on November 23rd, Saturday at noon.
Program of Promise
While the loss was undoubtedly disappointing, the Eagles demonstrated they could stand toe-to-toe with one of the nation's best teams. The offense showed significant improvement, and the team exhibited resilience and cohesion in the face of adversity.
Fans have reason to be optimistic about the future. The coaching staff's ability to elevate player performance, even with limited resources, points to a promising trajectory for the program.
As the Eagles turn their attention to the remaining games, the lessons learned and the confidence gained from this battle in Dallas could propel them toward a strong finish and potential bowl eligibility.
Comments